At the turn of the millennium, Mariah Careys career was in transition.
Compared to the sultryButterfly,Rainbowfinds Carey gleefully experimenting in ways that Carey hadnt been allowed to before.
Its plenty of material for the Lambs to chew on while awaiting updates on Careys next album.
Photo: George Holz
Vogue: How was the experience of revisitingRainbowand that chapter of your life in general for this 25-year anniversary?
Mariah Carey:It was veryI dont even know what the exact word is.
Listening to the record again brought me back to that time in a way that was extremely overwhelming.
Photo: Courtesy of Sony
I said I was gonna finish it in three months and so thats what I did.
Except Heartbreaker is slightly moreI dont wanna say bubblegum, but it has this airy, carefree vibe.
I really loved itand still doso that became the first song, andRainbowjust sorta evolved from there.
Photo: Courtesy of George Holz
So I brought in Jimmy and Terry, who can do just about anything you want them to.
I dont know if Bliss is one of your jams…
Its only my favorite song on the album.
I think that was the first song I worked on with Jimmy and Terry.
Photo: Getty Images
You had never made a song quite as unapologetically erotic as Bliss before.
Did it feel like a risk at the time?
I was just doing whatever I wanted.
Photo: Courtesy of Sony
I didnt care who thought it was riskyand there were some.
It didnt feel risky, even though it probably was a little risque.
It just felt natural to me!
Photo: Getty Images
Whats the story behind Rainbows End?
Was it conceived during the original recording sessions forRainbow?
Are those the original vocals?
Carey at aRainbowalbum signing in 1999.
I have to askwill we ever hear the duet you supposedly recorded with Lauryn Hill during theRainbowera?
Now, who said that happened?
That may just be a Lambily urban legend…
I think it may beI certainly wouldve loved that, though!
I suppose it just never came to fruition?
I dont think it was ever gonna even happen.
I love Lauryn Hill.
How about theRainbowWorld Tour?
But Ive actually been looking into that recently, because there was such great stuff on that tour.
What are some of your memories from shooting theRainbowcover art with David LaChapelle?
That day was amazing.
David is the funnest person to work with because hes like a little kid and gets so excited.
I cant even express how much I love him.
Are there any more outtakes from that shoot that youve seen?
Do you think well ever get to see those?
I dont know…I guess youll have to wait and see.
Do you still have the spray-painted outfit from the cover?
No, and dont even get me started.
I never save anything and Im so mad about it.
I just never even thought about saving my stuff, so I have no idea where it is.
What are some of your favorite memories from shooting the Heartbreaker video?
I love that video so much.
Was she conceived specifically for the video?
But she was so mad.
One detail that always sticks out to me in the Heartbreaker video are your jeans with the ripped-off waistband.
Whats the story there, because I feel like you absolutely started that early-aughts trend.
Thankyouandnobodygave me any credit for it!
Then I went to a recording session right afterwards with DJ Clue and a few of my other friends.
I pulled up and they were like, Yo,wheredid you get those jeans?
And of course that pink top was a fun little crochet moment too.
What can you tell me about your style evolution forRainbow?
It was definitely a brighter and more playful era for me.
I had to make things feel festive!
What about that song made it such a personal statement?
I was thinking about my life and what people were saying and writing about me.
It was very bold, because artists werent supposed to do thatand they didnt do that back then!
But Ive always had a very specific relationship with my fans.
I never cared about what the label thought or if the world was gonna think I seemed crazy.
What does it mean to see your work resonate so deeply with a group of people?
I appreciate it beyond words.
Its hard to explain, but it takes away my own feelings of being an outsider.
Carey at aRainbowalbum signing in 1999.
Before you go, I have to ask about new music.
Its been six years sinceCautionand the Lambs are eager!
Im even more eager to give it to them!
The next album is happening and coming soon, so be patient.
Just listen toRainbowfor the time being!
