I’ll tell you this right now, I am NOT loving the new Mariah Carey single. While I don’t abhor it, I was expecting a lot more from the lead single off Mimi’s first album of all original material in nearly three years. The overwhelming consensus (and I’m inclined to agree with the majority) seems to be that “Triumphant (Get ‘Em)” doesn’t sound like a Mariah Carey song, rather a Rick Ross song FEATURING Ms. Mariah Carey. For shame!
Co-penned and produced by Carey alongside Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox “Triumphant (Get ‘Em)” is the new mom of twins’ first single release since 2011’s Christmas duet with John Legend, “When Christmas Comes” and it marks a return to Mariah’s urban-pop roots last heard on her 2009 album, Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, which peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 charts following it’s release in September. While Mariah sounds fine when she’s singing, the problem is a majority of the track consists of Rick Ross and Meek Mill rapping with Mimi only comin’ in for the sultry, quintessential Mimi chorus. More Mariah please!
Luckily, if you visit MariahCarey.com the music Gods have blessed us with two remixes which feature less rap and more Mimi. First up is the dancetastic “Vintage Throwback Remix” which features nary a trace of Mr. Ross and Mr. Mill. If I may be so bold as to suggest to the powers that be over at Island Records, THIS be the official single version of the song. The remix recalls classic Mariah Carey remixes of years past…you know, the ones that filled up the entire first disc of her 2003 compilation album, The Remixes.
Also playing on MariahCarey.com is the Pulse Remix, which takes the Vintage Throwback Remix up a couple of notches, turning the song into a full on club banger. According to Mariah via Twitter, she’s getting back to her glory days when she and David Morales would turn it out song after song, creating hot, fierce FIERY club remixes by “re-writ[ing and re-sing[ing] all my club remixes…” YES! Bring on more remixes!
You lambs can catch Mariah next January when she joins American Idol as one of the new judges on Fox’s popular reality series. Carey will also be starring in Lee Daniels‘ upcoming 2013 film The Butler which tells the tale of a White House butler who served under eight American Presidents over the course of 3 decades. Carey will co-star in the film alongside Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, Robin Williams, Melissa Leo, John Cusack, Alan Rickman, Jane Fonda and others. Hollywood + American Idol + New album? Looks like Carey has a busy couple of years ahead of her!
Download “Triumphant (Get ‘Em)” August 7th worldwide (iTunes US/iTunes UK) and stay tuned for the 60s-inspired music video co-starring actor Eric West and directed by her loving hubby Nick Cannon.
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