Remix: Mariah Carey x Clean Bandit - Emotions (Random J mashup)

Today is Mariah no-middle-name-but-it-shoulda-been-Patricia Carey's 'anniversary', because a bitch doesn't acknowledge birthdays and is out here eternally 12 years old. So it's only right to share this on the day of the Lambily's celebratory service.

When I first heard Clean Bandit's breakthrough smash hit "Rather be", Mariah Carey's "Emotions" immediately came to mind. Similar keys, similar chords, similar vibes. It wasn't until sometime after that I'd finally decided to try and mash the two together. And well...here we are.

"Emotions" was a big deal for Mariah at the time, as it was the first time we'd heard her on something so dance based. Something that would also carry through to songs like "Make it happen" and lead to collaborations with famed Dance producer Dave Morales. Dance music would be a mainstay throughout Mariah's career, but wouldn't be something she'd be known for or really credited with doing much with; which is why "Meteorite" ended up being one of my favourite songs on Me. I am trying it.

Hearing Clean Bandit's "Rather be" for the first time and immediately hearing Mariah's vocals on it in my head really made me wish that Mariah would do a collaboration with a dance act. Clean Bandit would be a great choice, because they are so melody focused and two members of the group play the piano, which we know is a big thing for Mariah. And at this point in time, not only would it really help Mariah cross over in a big way, but it would expose her to an audience who perhaps aren't wholly familiar with her music. Even if they aren't getting her vocals in their prime and in the condition that had many refer to her as 'THE voice'.

I know some of you may have been like 'Bitch, cross over? She's Mariah fucking Carey!'. But something I've seen more and more over time is that despite Mariah being a huge star who has shattered records left, right and centre throughout her career and to this very day; there are still a great number of people who know her by name, but not by her music. A recent episode of RuPaul's drag race (I know, I know...but stay with me people) corroborates this. You had 6 gays sitting around struggling to name a Mariah Carey song or share something that they know about her. This isn't an isolated thing. I've been with groups of people discussing music, Mariah comes up and then the same shit happens. When you know Mariah's music, you assume that everybody else does to some degree because she's such a huge star whose music has had a massive influence on what is on the charts now, (Yes, Ariana Grande) but it's not the case.

Anyway. Gimme Mariah on a dance record. Put her in the studio with Clean Bandit, Disclosure or Calvin Harris and let the people have it.

Other Mariah remixes: GTFO (Mitch Ferrino remix) | A no no (featuring Stefflon Don)
Random J pop reviews of Mariah: Glitter | E=MC² | Memoirs of an imperfect angel | Caution