Mariah Carey’s ‘Butterfly’ Turns 20: The Transformation Album That Took Her Career To New Heights
Ask any music lover and they will tell you that ‘90s R&B is one of the best eras in music history. 1997 is easily one of the decade’s best years, everything from Erykah Badu’s “On and On” to Jon B’s “They Don’t Know” topped the charts. However, it was pop diva Mariah Carey, a.k.a. Mimi, who showed everyone that she was a force to be reckoned with.
Before Carey released her sixth studio album, she was already a top-selling artist of the decade with her previous hits such as “Vision of Love,” “Emotions,” and “One Sweet Day.” Her five-octave range and soulful tone had already proved she could perform pop, R&B, and gospel, but her five previous albums were variously different from what she brought to the world on Butterfly. During the first few years of her career, the powerhouse singer had little creative control on her albums due to say-so from her then husband and former record executive Tommy Mottola. With Motolla holding most of the reigns, Mariah’s singles were pop-friendly dance tracks and classic ballads. Not to mention, Mariah’s image showcased a girl-next-door pop princess that everyone loved.
Once Motolla and Carey decided to end their marriage, the singer knew it was time to be true to herself and take control of her artistry. Butterfly was the perfect title for this stage in her life. The power of a caterpillar is limited before it transforms into a butterfly to spread its wings. Since she was now in charge of this timeless album, her butterfly moment made her a pioneer in integrating the worlds of pop and hip-hop for years to come. Yes, way before Jennifer Lopez kept it real with Ja Rule or Katy Perry and Snoop Dogg showed their love for California girls, Carey showed how two of the most popular genres can collide in the most magical way.
On her previous album Daydream, she gave fans a slight look into her new sound with assistance from producers like Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and Jermaine Dupri, along with a feature from the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard on her hit song, “Fantasy.” However, it wasn’t until 1997, when she released her first Butterfly single that would take her music to a new level.
She called Diddy for a second go-round to write and produce the album’s first single “Honey,” along with rapper Q-Tip and producer Stevie J. Now, of course, you can’t have a Diddy smash record without a Bad Boy remix, the single featured bars from Bay Boy labelmates Mase and The Lox. The “Honey” video also showcased Carey’s new image, instead of her luscious curls and casual clothes, she kicked her fashion sense into high gear with wavy hair and sexy dresses.
The album’s next single brought Carey back to her classic sound when she released the album title track. The piano-driven ballad backed with a gospel instrumentation showcased that although she’s elevating her sound, the root of her vocal abilities will always be soulful. It easily became one of Carey’s favorite songs since it reflected her personal life.
Her next two singles jumped back into the hip-hop world. Production duo Trackmasters were a team in high-demand with work behind hits such as Will Smith’s “Men In Black” and LL Cool J’s “Hey Lover.” The two worked with Carey on her third single “The Roof,” a sultry R&B track sampling Mobb Deep’s “Shook Ones Part II.” R.I.P Prodigy. However, it was her follow-up “Breakdown” that really showed the singer venturing deep into her newfound freedom. Once again, she teamed up with Diddy and Stevie J to bring a smooth R&B groove that featured rap group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. The verses from group members Krayzie Bone and Wish Bone floated poetically as Mariah kept her melodies solid before showing her higher octaves towards the end of the song.
A song that wasn’t released as a single, but easily became a fan favorite was “Babydoll.” The Supa Dupa Fly one herself Missy Elliott along with Cory Rooney co-wrote the song with Carey in addition to Stevie J behind the boards. Elliott was already receiving high praise for her writing and production work on Aaliyah’s 1996 album One In A Million while establishing her mark as one of the hottest female MCs in the game. “Babydoll” showcased a more vulnerable, yet sexy side to Butterfly.
The singer’s longtime collaborator Walter Afanasieff, known for his previous work on her hit song “Hero,” worked with Carey on her final single, “My All.” The soulful ballad with heavy Latin melodies helped round the album out to show not only Carey’s range as a vocalist but how artists can be inspired by different genres. The two wrote and produced the remaining tracks of the album, aside from a cover of the late Prince’s “The Beautiful Ones” that featured R&B group Dru Hill. Butterfly went on to become one of the most iconic R&B albums of the ‘90s.
Looking at the music industry twenty years later, there is an endless amount of pop artists who work with some of the biggest rappers and producers in hip-hop. Everyone from Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar, to Maroon 5 and Wiz Khalifa, to Fifth Harmony and Ty Dolla Sign, to Katy Perry and Migos, to Ariana Grande and Lil’ Wayne, the list goes on and on. However, Carey’s collaborations didn’t primarily stem from the idea of, “Hey! Let’s get this rapper on the track because he’s hot!” but rather because she is genuinely a fan of their work and appreciates their artistry. She worked with these artists at a time when many of them were early in their careers, proving everyone that she knew talent before the masses would recognize it as well.
Carey’s career has spanned nearly three decades and she continues to work with some of rap’s heavy hitters including Busta Rhymes, Nas, Snoop Dogg, and Jay Z.
VH1 recently announced this year’s Hip Hop Honors: The 90s Game Changers and it’s only fitting that the diva will be honored for her illustrious career. She still holds the title as the best-selling female artist of all time and has inspired new artists to follow suit. Congratulations Mimi! Today, we celebrate the timeless album Butterfly and hope it encourages others to spread their wings and fly.
