Mariah Carey was MusiCares’ 2026 Person of the Year, and to commemorate the occasion, she was honored with a special tribute. Artists like John Legend, Billy Porter, and Jennifer Hudson gathered at the gala and sang revised versions of Carey’s greatest hits.
There were many great moments that made the evening something joyous to look back on. FLO lighting up the stage with a beautifully harmonized performance of Carey’s single “Dreamlover” comes to mind. Another nostalgic moment was Busta Rhymes joining Chante Moore to perform his and Carey’s duet “I Know What You Want.”
Unfortunately for MusiCares, their optics surrounding the selected musical choices have been called into question.
Was This A Moment People Were Expecting?
While Carey seemed pleased during certain moments and unreadable during others, fans questioned the lineup for the performances.
What the selection does well is highlight Carey’s significance in music outside of what she is typically known for. For example, R&B, Hiphop, and Pop. Carey’s music doesn’t just appeal to a stagnant demographic but it transcends genres, connecting other talents through her artistry. However, many questioned the event’s choice to have a small inclusion of Carey’s vocal peers.
A Fight Against Covers
To defend their argument, fans recall a GQ interview where Carey was asked for her thoughts on song covers. While most artists enjoy others singing their tunes and creating their own spin on it, Carey doesn’t want her music to be considered. When asked for her reaction during Muni Long’s cover of one of her hits, she responded: “I’m very honored and flattered that she did it. I love Muni Long, she’s a great person, ummm, but I just don’t like people doing my songs.”
This comment comes to mind after Carey takes the stage to thank the artists who performed.
“Tonight has been sublime,” Carey said. “To hear my songs reimagined by some of the world’s greatest artists, it’s surreal.”
Fans raise a valid point regarding the expectation that was set for artists in a different range than Carey. Many wanted to see performances from artists that weren’t in attendance. Some names that were thrown around were Ariana Grande and Jazmine Sullivan; two artists with similar vocal range that can cater to fans of Carey’s songs with high notes and whistle tones.
It’s very possible Carey enjoys covers when it’s done in her presence as a tribute rather than on its own. We may not ever know, but the good thing is, Carey seemed to enjoy her evening, and so did the artists in attendance.
What's Your Reaction?
