Mariah Carey talks past, present, future and all things Christmas with Zane Lowe

It's Mariah Carey season. So she is doing the damn rounds and giving us PROMO. So much of this isn't even being announced far ahead of time. I just clicked on YouTube and OH LOOK. Mariah did an interview with Zane Lowe and Apple Music. But of course she was gonna sit down with Apple Music.

Duh.

Mariah had done an interview with Oprah (which was a mess) and Naomi Campbell (which was fun, but a little unstructured and chaotic), but this is one of the best of the bunch. I wish it was more about Mariah's music across the board, and not just her book and her Christmas special, but it's no surprise that those were the focuses.

It's nice to see Mariah do an interview where she appears in person and we finally get some damn production value and good lighting. I don't know why Mariah's people keep playing her with that home lighting setup. It's terrible.

HENNYWAY.

Get into Mariah Carey talking Christmas, her book and other shit.

For you TLDW bitches out there, below are interesting pickings from Mariah's sit down with Zane Lowe.

• Mariah Thee Author Carey revealed in The Meaning of Mariah Carey that she had put together this whole alternative album under the name Chick, which she had written, but had her friend sing. The album has been out of print for years, but Mariah revealed that a version of the album does exist with her vocals on it and that she'd like to put it out once she's able to get a hold of the final mixes. We are definitely gonna hear it y'all. The spirit of Christmas over the past 3 years has seen Mariah grow so powerful, that Sony and Tommy Mottola can't stop a damn thing she does. Chick 'bout to bust out like them titties in the Mariah's Magical Christmas "Oh Santa!" dress. 

• Speaking on the new version of "Oh Santa!" which features Sleeves and Screams, Mariah says that her inspiration for the original version of "Oh Santa!" was The Supremes, so she wanted to give the song a 'girl group moment'. I'd mentioned in a comment prior to this interview dropping that "Oh Santa!" sounded to me like it was intended to be sung by a group, so it's cool to hear Mariah confirm this and that I'm not going crazy.

• Mariah casually mentions that before this interview, she was in the studio all day working on something. But park all of the 'workin' on what and with whom', as Mariah said this time last year that she was also working on something with someone.

• Mariah touches on how difficult it was working on Merry Christmas II You, but doesn't go into detail. Mariah herself has said that her pregnancy was rough and contributed to recording difficulties, but it seems like there was other shit going on too...

• Mariah Thee Caroler Carey loves Merry Christmas II You by the way. A bitch knows. Because the album is fantastic.

• Mariah Thee Producer Carey recalls when she realised that she was producing, and reads (just a lil' bit) those that can't play an instrument. But we love everybody who programs beats

• Mariah mentions an artist who was complaining about releasing a Christmas album which doesn't align with their beliefs, but be up on TV promoting it. Mariah doesn't not name the artist though. So I'mma need the Lambs Investigative Division to give me a name.

Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas special is still available to watch on Apple TV for those that have it. And the soundtrack which features selected re-recorded versions of songs from her Christmas albums and a brand new cover of "Sleigh Ride" is a timed exclusive on Apple Music, but will hit all streaming services from December 11. I'mma just say this though. None of the re-recorded versions of songs are better than the originals.

🎄 A festive album review: Mariah Carey's second Christmas album, Merry Christmas II You
💿 Non festive album reviews: Caution | Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse | Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel | E=MC² | Glitter
🔊 Mariah playlists: Merry Christmas, from Mariah | A Gospel moment | Mariah Carey featuring... | Merry Christmas, from Mariah