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This triple-field interview explored career trajectories, artistic freedom, and the realities of the industry. Initiated by Spotify and thus titled ‘Three Generations of R&B,’ the dialogue dwarfed any window into the very raw journey an icon went through, a legend was going through, and a forthcoming star was experiencing.
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Mariah Carey kept amazing the audience throughout the conversation. She went into her incredible charting span, noting that out of her 19 number-one hits, she had written or co-written 18 of them. The one she had not was a cover of “I’ll Be There,” which she said was originally recorded by the Jackson 5. At that point, the audience started getting interested in such details, drawing their thoughts to the immense songwriting capability behind her casing unlike any career. She brought up her aversion to being boxed into categories in the industry, stressing that she did not want to be placed in a box. She continued her discussion about mixing genres from pop to R&B to anything really, resisting the pigeonhole.
From here the conversation took a turn, with Carey talking about the admittedly impossible assumption in studio sessions concerning female artists. “I think that they think we’re getting in the studio with men, and they tell us what to do, and we do it,” she said. There was a pause and then she added with great candor, “And that does happen sometimes.” It was very problematic for many artists because it shed light on the kinds of walls they faced inside the industry. She went further in that statement with her own early career struggles, recalling how she had spent her last $300 booking a studio session and that was risk, and thank God it had paid off.
Interpreting watching the three musicians in action was probably even more exciting for the audience. At one point, a watcher commented upon the dynamic: “The look Kelly gave when Mariah said she only wrote 18 of her 19 #1 hits.” It seems the commenter was sharing this moment for fun. Another commenter said that pairing Carey and Rowland were some of their personal favorites, calling this moment a “great treat.” Ravyn Lenae joining these great artists was touted as a milestone in the rising creator’s career.
Much of the conversation was about ownership of artistic creation and covers. Someone brought up the past incident, “Mariah said that she doesn’t like people covering her songs…That is until she saw Kelly performing Fantasy.” It has to do with Mariah and Kelly acknowledging and respecting each other. The comment thread was flooded with calls for Carey and Rowland to collaborate officially, one username declaring “I’d love to hear it!”
Such transparency about the creative process was appreciated by many. Reflecting on Carey’s early days, one said, “I love Mariah’s honesty cuz that man definitely took her to the studio and told her what to do. But look how she took back her own identity love her for that!!!” That was the theme of their conversation-the path to artistic freedom. Another commented on the enormity of Carey’s achievement, “The fact that Mariah wrote or co-wrote 18 of them is 🤯🤯🤯. She’s without question the most successful female songwriter of all time.”
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The interview gave the three voices in R&B a meeting place, from the record-breaking reign of Mariah Carey through the staying power of Kelly Rowland and onto the rising star power of Ravyn Lenae. The frankly discussed revelations from Carey about songwriting and studio experiences gave a captivating view behind the track. It was a testament to their ability and resilience in an industry that tries to put definitions on them. This conversation made them forever counted not only as performers but as architects of their own monumental careers. Anderson .Paak recently celebrated one of these artists’ new albums with a heartfelt tribute. Additionally, Mariah Carey’s Las Vegas Christmas show at Dolby Live was another exciting announcement from the iconic singer.
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