Mariah Carey Marks 20 Years of ‘The Emancipation of Mimi’ With Soulful Live Set and Deluxe Vinyl Drop

Icon Mariah Carey is celebrating the enduring legacy of her 2005 masterpiece “The Emancipation of Mimi ” with a deeply intimate new performance and a special anniversary reissue that’s got fans buzzing.

In a striking black ensemble that was equal parts glam and understated, Carey took the stage for a stripped-back, piano-led performance accompanied by the talented Daniel Moore whose elegant and emotive playing added depth and warmth to the intimate set.. The 10-minute set was a carefully curated homage to some of the album’s most cherished tracks during ” the Mimi Session Live.”

She opened with “Don’t Forget About Us,” the chart-topping ballad she co-wrote with Bryan-Michael Cox, Jermaine Dupri, and Johntá Austin. Her voice floated effortlessly over Moore’s piano, creating a moment that felt both nostalgic and fresh. From there, Carey moved into deep cuts like “Circles” and “Say Somethin,” Your Girl,” showing fans why Mimi remains one of the most personal and powerful records of her career.

The set closed on a high note with “We Belong Together,” the massive single that ruled the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 consecutive weeks and earned her multiple Grammy Awards, including Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. Even nearly two decades later, the emotional weight of the song hits just as hard.

From the first note, Carey reminded fans of her vocal brilliance—her pristine tone, effortless phrasing, and signature whistle notes all on full display. Even two decades after the album’s release, she proved she can still soar to those glass-shattering heights while delivering each lyric with emotional clarity and control.
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The performance arrived ahead of the “The Emancipation of Mimi (20th Anniversary Edition),” released May 30. The deluxe vinyl reissue is a collector’s dream: the standard 2LP edition includes the original tracklist plus the beloved “We Belong Together (Mimi’s Late Night Valentine’s Mix),” while the premium 5LP box set—priced at $249.98—features exclusive fan content, including a personal letter from Carey, never-before-seen photos, and three additional discs packed with remixes and rare versions.

Originally released in April 2005, “The Emancipation of Mimi” marked a major comeback for Carey, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with over 400,000 first-week sales. The album reminded the world of her unrivaled songwriting and vocal prowess, and set the tone for R&B and pop crossovers throughout the 2000s.

Speaking on the album’s legacy, Carey shared in a recent interview:  “I didn’t know when I made this album that it would become a survival anthem for so many people—including me. Every note came from a place of reclaiming my voice.”

With the deluxe release, plus remixes like the new Kaytranada flip on “Don’t Forget About Us,” Carey is not just revisiting her past—she’s reintroducing Mimi to a new generation.

Whether you’re reliving the memories or discovering this era for the first time, this moment is a celebration of timeless artistry, emotional honesty, and the magic of one of music’s true Icons, legends  and unique vocal powerhouses.