Even if you’ve never done a deep dive into Mariah Carey’s decades-spanning discography , it’s impossible to deny her impact on the culture. As a young, mixed race woman stepping into spotlight as the 90s began, the New York-born talent played a crucial role not only in addressing awkward racial tensions of the time. “[Mariah] became something of an avatar for biracial identity, a validating presence for some and a source of both curiosity and discomfort for others,” Brittany Luse wrote for Vulture . Racial identity aside, Carey’s distinct, genre-bending voice paved the way for virtually every female R&B singer to come after her, from Leona Lewis to Beyoncé . She’s always had a bold style to match her singing chops, and is even credited with helping to popularize low-rise jeans throughout the 2000s thanks to her 1999 “Heartbreaker” music video with Jay-Z. Through all of her ups and downs, Carey has remained confident in herself, though she’s quietly been coping with bipolar disorder...
