Mariah Carey (/mərɑːiə/ mər-RAH-iə; born March 27, 1969 or 1970)[3] is an American singer-songwriter and actress. Known for her five-octave vocal range, melismatic singing style, and signature use of the whistle register, she is referred to as the "Songbird Supreme" by Guinness World Records. She rose to fame in 1990 with her eponymous debut album, released under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, who married her three years later. Carey is the first artist in history to have their first five singles reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100, from "Vision of Love" to "Emotions".
According to Stevie Wonder: "When people talk about the great influential singers, they talk about Aretha, Whitney and Mariah. That's a testament to her talent. Her range is that amazing."[345] Beyoncé credits Carey's singing and her song "Vision of Love" as influencing her to begin practicing vocal "runs" as a child, as well as helping her pursue a career as a musician.[58] Rihanna has stated that Carey is one of her major influences and idol.[346] Aguilera said in the early stages of her career that Carey was a big influence in her singing career and one of her idols.[347] According to Pier Dominguez, author of Christina Aguilera: A star is made, Aguilera has stated how she loved listening to Whitney Houston, but it was Carey who had the biggest influence on her vocal styling. Carey's carefully choreographed image of a grown woman struck a chord with Aguilera. Her influence on Aguilera also grew from the fact that both are of mixed heritage.[348] Philip Brasor, editor of The Japan Times, expressed how Carey's vocal and melismatic style even influenced Asian singers. He wrote that Japanese singer Hikaru Utada "sang what she heard, from the diaphragm and with her own take on the kind of melisma that became de rigueur in American pop after the ascendance of Mariah Carey."[349] Among other hip hop, pop, and R&B artists who have cited Carey as an influence are Aneeka,[350] Ari Lennox,[351] Ariana Grande,[352] Britney Spears,[353] Beyoncé,[58] Katy Perry,[354] Lady Gaga,[355] Bridgit Mendler,[356] Christina Aguilera,[347] Jessica Simpson,[316] Rihanna,[346] Grimes,[357] Kelela,[358] Kelly Clarkson,[359] Kehlani,[360] Kiana Lede,[361] Nicki Minaj,[362] Nelly Furtado,[363] Normani,[364] Bonnie McKee,[365] Leona Lewis,[366] Brandy Norwood,[338] Pink,[367] Mary J. Blige,[368] Melanie Fiona,[369] Missy Elliott,[58] Sam Smith,[370][371] Hikaru Utada,[349] Regine Velasquez, Sarah Geronimo, Jake Zyrus,[372] Jordin Sparks,[373] Justin Bieber,[374] Jessica Sanchez,[375] Megan Rochell,[376] and Sandy.