# Mariah Carey albums discography

The albums discography of American singer and songwriter [Mariah Carey](https://www.edgepedia.org/mariah-carey) consists of sixteen studio albums released between 1990 and 2025, along with compilation albums, soundtrack albums, a remix album, and a series of anniversary reissues of her earlier catalog. Her releases have appeared on [Columbia Records](https://www.edgepedia.org/columbia-records), Virgin Records, Island/Def Jam, Epic Records, and her own imprint MARIAH.<sup>[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mariah-carey-mn0000262255/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[2](https://apnews.com/article/ac5520767695958ee294de66ed499a83)</sup>

| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Studio albums | Sixteen, from *Mariah Carey* (1990) to *Here for It All* (2025)<sup>[2](https://apnews.com/article/ac5520767695958ee294de66ed499a83)</sup> |
| Labels | Columbia (1990–1999), Virgin (2001), Island/Def Jam and Def Jam (2002–2014), Epic (2018), MARIAH/gamma. (2025)<sup>[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mariah-carey-mn0000262255/)</sup> |
| Early chart run | Her first five consecutive singles reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and eight of her first ten singles did so between 1990 and 1993<sup>[3](https://sony.mediaroom.com/2012-04-24-The-Essential-Mariah-Carey-Celebrates-Her-First-Decade-on-Columbia-1990-1999)</sup> |
| Biggest seller | *Daydream* (1995) has sold more than 27 million copies worldwide<sup>[4](https://www.sonymusic.com/sonymusic/mariah-carey-celebrates-30th-anniversary-of-daydream-with-new-expanded-edition-featuring-never-before-released-tracks/)</sup> |
| Diamond albums | *Music Box* (RIAA Diamond) and *Merry Christmas* (RIAA Diamond, certified 15 December 2025)<sup>[5](https://soulmusicdatabase.com/soul-funk-rb-index/mariah-carey/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[6](https://mariahpedia.com/the-mariaa-vault/)</sup> |
| Grammy-winning album | *The Emancipation of Mimi* (2005) won three Grammy Awards and was the best-selling album of 2005 in the US<sup>[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mariah-carey-mn0000262255/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[7](https://www.mcarchives.com/artikel.asp?id=5454)</sup> |
| Hot 100 record | "Touch My Body" (2008) became her 18th No. 1 single, surpassing Elvis Presley's total of 17<sup>[3](https://sony.mediaroom.com/2012-04-24-The-Essential-Mariah-Carey-Celebrates-Her-First-Decade-on-Columbia-1990-1999)</sup> |

## The Columbia years, 1990–1999

**Debut.** Carey's self-titled first album was released on Columbia in June 1990, produced with [Walter Afanasieff](https://www.edgepedia.org/walter-afanasieff), and reached No. 1 in both the United States and the United Kingdom.<sup>[8](https://www.umdmusic.com/default.asp?Calendar=&Chart=&Lang=English&Letter=&Mod=&New=&Search=&Umd=C3285&View=I&Where=)</sup> It spent 11 weeks atop the Billboard 200, produced four consecutive Hot 100 No. 1 singles beginning with "Vision of Love" (a run that equaled the Jackson 5's long-time record), and earned Carey the [Grammy Award for Best New Artist](https://www.edgepedia.org/grammy-award-for-best-new-artist).<sup>[9](https://www.classicpopmag.com/features/album-by-album/album-by-album-mariah-carey/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mariah-carey-mn0000262255/)</sup> The album has been described as a 15-million seller, and Carey co-wrote all eleven of its tracks, most of them with her early collaborator Ben Margulies.<sup>[9](https://www.classicpopmag.com/features/album-by-album/album-by-album-mariah-carey/)</sup>

**Emotions and Music Box.** *Emotions* followed in October 1991, again produced with Afanasieff, peaking at No. 4 in both the US and the UK.<sup>[8](https://www.umdmusic.com/default.asp?Calendar=&Chart=&Lang=English&Letter=&Mod=&New=&Search=&Umd=C3285&View=I&Where=)</sup> *Music Box* (September 1993) reached No. 1 in both countries and has been certified Diamond by the RIAA; it scaled back the lavish studio production of its predecessors and contained the No. 1 singles "Dreamlover" and "Hero".<sup>[8](https://www.umdmusic.com/default.asp?Calendar=&Chart=&Lang=English&Letter=&Mod=&New=&Search=&Umd=C3285&View=I&Where=)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[5](https://soulmusicdatabase.com/soul-funk-rb-index/mariah-carey/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[10](https://www.biography.com/musicians/mariah-carey)</sup>

**Merry Christmas and Daydream.** *Merry Christmas* (November 1994) peaked at No. 3 in the US and No. 32 in the UK, and decades later became one of her two RIAA Diamond albums.<sup>[8](https://www.umdmusic.com/default.asp?Calendar=&Chart=&Lang=English&Letter=&Mod=&New=&Search=&Umd=C3285&View=I&Where=)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[6](https://mariahpedia.com/the-mariaa-vault/)</sup> *Daydream*, released on October 3, 1995, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and produced three Hot 100 chart-toppers: "Fantasy", the first song by a female artist to debut at No. 1 on that chart; "One Sweet Day", her duet with [Boyz II Men](https://www.edgepedia.org/boyz-ii-men), which spent a record 16 consecutive weeks at No. 1; and "Always Be My Baby".<sup>[4](https://www.sonymusic.com/sonymusic/mariah-carey-celebrates-30th-anniversary-of-daydream-with-new-expanded-edition-featuring-never-before-released-tracks/)</sup> The album has sold more than 27 million copies worldwide.<sup>[4](https://www.sonymusic.com/sonymusic/mariah-carey-celebrates-30th-anniversary-of-daydream-with-new-expanded-edition-featuring-never-before-released-tracks/)</sup>

**Butterfly and Rainbow.** *Butterfly* (September 1997) reached No. 1 in the US and No. 2 in the UK, and Carey has described the [Butterfly](https://www.edgepedia.org/butterfly) era as the first time she felt fully free in her music, following the end of her marriage to then-[Sony Music](https://www.edgepedia.org/sony-music) executive [Tommy Mottola](https://www.edgepedia.org/tommy-mottola).<sup>[8](https://www.umdmusic.com/default.asp?Calendar=&Chart=&Lang=English&Letter=&Mod=&New=&Search=&Umd=C3285&View=I&Where=)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[2](https://apnews.com/article/ac5520767695958ee294de66ed499a83)</sup> *Rainbow* (November 1999) peaked at No. 2 in the US and No. 8 in the UK.<sup>[8](https://www.umdmusic.com/default.asp?Calendar=&Chart=&Lang=English&Letter=&Mod=&New=&Search=&Umd=C3285&View=I&Where=)</sup>

## Virgin, Island Def Jam, and the comeback, 2001–2010

In 2001 Carey signed an $80 million deal with [Virgin Records](https://www.edgepedia.org/virgin-records), reported at the time as the biggest record contract ever, and made her label debut with *Glitter*, the soundtrack to her first film.<sup>[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mariah-carey-mn0000262255/)</sup> The film was a commercial flop, and the album, her eighth, peaked at No. 7 in the US and No. 10 in the UK, though it went platinum on the strength of the single "Loverboy".<sup>[8](https://www.umdmusic.com/default.asp?Calendar=&Chart=&Lang=English&Letter=&Mod=&New=&Search=&Umd=C3285&View=I&Where=)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mariah-carey-mn0000262255/)</sup> Blending dance-pop, funk, hip-hop, and R&B around the film's 1983 setting, it featured collaborators including [Eric Benét](https://www.edgepedia.org/eric-benet), Ludacris, Da Brat, Busta Rhymes, Fabolous, and [Ja Rule](https://www.edgepedia.org/ja-rule).<sup>[11](https://www.universalmusic.ca/2026/08/20/glitter-shines-brighter-than-ever-mariah-carey-celebrates-25-years-of-her-fan-favorite-album/)</sup>

Carey moved to Island/Def Jam, where she set up her own label, MonarC Music, and released *Charmbracelet* in December 2002; it was her first studio album to go merely platinum rather than multi-platinum.<sup>[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mariah-carey-mn0000262255/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[8](https://www.umdmusic.com/default.asp?Calendar=&Chart=&Lang=English&Letter=&Mod=&New=&Search=&Umd=C3285&View=I&Where=)</sup> The turnaround came with *The Emancipation of Mimi* (April 2005), produced with Antonio "LA" Reid, which reached No. 1 in the US, was the best-selling album of 2005 in the United States, and earned three [Grammy Awards](https://www.edgepedia.org/grammy-awards): Best Contemporary R&B Album, plus Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song for the single "We Belong Together".<sup>[8](https://www.umdmusic.com/default.asp?Calendar=&Chart=&Lang=English&Letter=&Mod=&New=&Search=&Umd=C3285&View=I&Where=)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[7](https://www.mcarchives.com/artikel.asp?id=5454)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mariah-carey-mn0000262255/)</sup>

Two weeks before her next album, *E=MC²* (2008), the single "Touch My Body" became her 18th Hot 100 No. 1, moving her past [Elvis Presley](https://www.edgepedia.org/elvis-presley)'s 17.<sup>[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mariah-carey-mn0000262255/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[3](https://sony.mediaroom.com/2012-04-24-The-Essential-Mariah-Carey-Celebrates-Her-First-Decade-on-Columbia-1990-1999)</sup> *Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel* followed on Def Jam in 2009, featuring the Top Ten hit "Obsessed" with the-Dream, and her second Christmas album, *Merry Christmas II You*, arrived in 2010.<sup>[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mariah-carey-mn0000262255/)</sup>

## Later studio albums, 2014–2025

*Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse* (2014), her first album for Def Jam, debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200.<sup>[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mariah-carey-mn0000262255/)</sup> After signing with [Epic Records](https://www.edgepedia.org/epic-records), she released *Caution* in November 2018, her fourth and final album under the Sony umbrella in this period.<sup>[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mariah-carey-mn0000262255/)</sup>

Her sixteenth studio album, *Here for It All*, was released in September 2025 on MARIAH/gamma., seven years after *Caution* and 35 years into her recording career. The 11-track set includes the singles "Type Dangerous", which samples Eric B. and Rakim, and "Sugar Sweet", featuring Kehlani and Shenseea, with contributions from [Anderson .Paak](https://www.edgepedia.org/anderson-paak) and the Clark Sisters.<sup>[2](https://apnews.com/article/ac5520767695958ee294de66ed499a83)</sup>

## Compilations, soundtracks, and side projects

Carey's compilation albums include *#1's* (November 1998), which reached No. 4 in the US and No. 10 in the UK; *Mariah Carey's Greatest Hits* (2001); *The Remixes* (2003); and *Greatest Hits* (2005).<sup>[8](https://www.umdmusic.com/default.asp?Calendar=&Chart=&Lang=English&Letter=&Mod=&New=&Search=&Umd=C3285&View=I&Where=)</sup> The 1998 live project *Divas Live*, recorded with Celine Dion, Gloria Estefan, and Aretha Franklin, was released on Epic in October 1998.<sup>[8](https://www.umdmusic.com/default.asp?Calendar=&Chart=&Lang=English&Letter=&Mod=&New=&Search=&Umd=C3285&View=I&Where=)</sup> A 2020 soundtrack, *Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special: Apple TV+ Original Soundtrack*, also appears in her album catalog.<sup>[12](https://musicbrainz.org/artist/494e8d09-f85b-4543-892f-a5096aed1cd4)</sup>

Outside her own name, Carey secretly recorded and co-produced a 1995 grunge album, *Someone's Ugly Daughter*, with her friend Clarissa Dane under the band name Chick; two of its songs were performed at her 2026 MusiCares Person of the Year tribute by the Foo Fighters with Taylor Momsen on lead vocals.<sup>[13](https://apnews.com/article/82a298e8413b96dde3aed4e4db7ef265)</sup>

## Anniversary reissues

Since the early 2020s, anniversary editions have become a regular part of the discography. *Butterfly: 25th Anniversary Expanded Edition* appeared in 2022, the three-disc *Music Box: 30th Anniversary Edition* with unreleased tracks and mixes followed in September 2023, and *Rainbow: 25th Anniversary Expanded Edition* arrived in 2024.<sup>[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mariah-carey-mn0000262255/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[14](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/mariah-carey/91853)</sup> *The Emancipation of Mimi* received a 20th anniversary edition with deluxe, expanded versions released on May 30, 2025, including the official release of "When I Feel It", a song shelved since 2005 because of sample clearance issues.<sup>[15](https://apnews.com/article/52b0b1545e948188abcd51e881eeb53c)</sup> *Daydream: 30th Anniversary Edition* was issued digitally on July 17, 2026, with unreleased bonus tracks, writing demos for "Melt Away" and "I Am Free", and a 3LP vinyl set including the Live at Madison Square Garden 1995 concert.<sup>[4](https://www.sonymusic.com/sonymusic/mariah-carey-celebrates-30th-anniversary-of-daydream-with-new-expanded-edition-featuring-never-before-released-tracks/)</sup> *Glitter* returns on October 30, 2026, via Def Jam/UMe with a deluxe edition adding 15 additional tracks and its first vinyl pressing since the original release; by the end of 2018 the album had reached No. 1 on the iTunes albums chart more than 17 years after release, marking its revival as a cult favorite.<sup>[11](https://www.universalmusic.ca/2026/08/20/glitter-shines-brighter-than-ever-mariah-carey-celebrates-25-years-of-her-fan-favorite-album/)</sup>

## References

1. [Mariah Carey – Biography, Discography, Albums & Expert Reviews, AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mariah-carey-mn0000262255/)
2. [Q&A: Mariah Carey enters 'the era of me' with her first album in 7 years, Associated Press (September 25, 2025)](https://apnews.com/article/ac5520767695958ee294de66ed499a83)
3. [The Essential Mariah Carey Celebrates Her First Decade on Columbia, 1990–1999, Sony Music press release (April 24, 2012)](https://sony.mediaroom.com/2012-04-24-The-Essential-Mariah-Carey-Celebrates-Her-First-Decade-on-Columbia-1990-1999)
4. [Mariah Carey Celebrates 30th Anniversary of Daydream With New Expanded Edition, Sony Music (July 17, 2026)](https://www.sonymusic.com/sonymusic/mariah-carey-celebrates-30th-anniversary-of-daydream-with-new-expanded-edition-featuring-never-before-released-tracks/)
5. [Mariah Carey – SOUL/FUNK/R&B Index, Soul Music Database](https://soulmusicdatabase.com/soul-funk-rb-index/mariah-carey/)
6. [Mariah Carey RIAA Certifications, The MaRIAA Vault](https://mariahpedia.com/the-mariaa-vault/)
7. [The fall and rise of Mariah Carey, The Mariah Carey Archives](https://www.mcarchives.com/artikel.asp?id=5454)
8. [CAREY Mariah – Albums Discography, Ultimate Music Database](https://www.umdmusic.com/default.asp?Calendar=&Chart=&Lang=English&Letter=&Mod=&New=&Search=&Umd=C3285&View=I&Where=)
9. [Album By Album – Mariah Carey, Classic Pop Magazine (December 9, 2025)](https://www.classicpopmag.com/features/album-by-album/album-by-album-mariah-carey/)
10. [Mariah Carey: Biography, Musician, Grammy Award Winner, Biography.com](https://www.biography.com/musicians/mariah-carey)
11. [Glitter Shines Brighter Than Ever: Mariah Carey Celebrates 25 Years of Her Fan-Favorite Album, Universal Music Canada (August 20, 2026)](https://www.universalmusic.ca/2026/08/20/glitter-shines-brighter-than-ever-mariah-carey-celebrates-25-years-of-her-fan-favorite-album/)
12. [Mariah Carey, MusicBrainz](https://musicbrainz.org/artist/494e8d09-f85b-4543-892f-a5096aed1cd4)
13. [Mariah Carey's secret grunge album part of tribute at MusiCares event, Associated Press (January 31, 2026)](https://apnews.com/article/82a298e8413b96dde3aed4e4db7ef265)
14. [Mariah Carey, Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/mariah-carey/91853)
15. [Mariah Carey on new music, Rihanna, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and her lost grunge album, Associated Press (April 11, 2025)](https://apnews.com/article/52b0b1545e948188abcd51e881eeb53c)

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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Music › Musical works and recordings › Discographies and musical catalogues › Artist and group discographies › Pop, R&B, and Christian/gospel artist discographies*

*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*

*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*

License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license