Jasmine's juice
The phrase: "We came, we saw, we conquered" can now place a photo of Mariah Carey next to it in the dictionary because on August 5, 2006, MC proved that she has not only whipped her critics and detractors into place with her numerous number ones, won award after award in the past year and sold more copies of her latest album than ever before in her career. Now she's blown away her fans with her current live gigs - and oh-how she's doing it.
Her biggest, most doting fans queued up all night, so there were layers of fans 20 deep surrounding the Miami Arena hysterical with anticipation for the opening night of Mariah's Adventures of Mimi: The Voice, the Hits, the Tour. It's been at least three years since most of the world saw MC perform live, so her fans came from far and wide - literally from all over the globe - and were on their feet all night.
Since Miami she's been on a steady roll around the US killing the audiences at every venue. Even when MC was around an hour late the fans were jumping up and down not caring. The crowd was made up of every kind of person from every walk of life; kids, road boys, mums with toddlers, old folks, pregnant women, hip hop heads. You name it, everyone showed up.
After Busta Rhymes and Sean Paul warmed up the crowd for her on different dates, the crowd was so hyped they did Mexican waves the size of which a European fan like me has never witnessed. When you go to an MC gig you're going as much for her sexy, provocative outfits as you are to hear her legendary vocals. On this show they both blow you away. There were enough clothes changes for a whole London Fashion Week.
But that didn't matter because as she ran off to slip into another saucy outfit, the girls giggled with delight at each new one while some of the boys got very hot and flustered watching her naughty looks. Her more than able backing singers and dancers entertained us with their unsurpassed skills. MC's dancers led by the wonderful choreographer Rachel McIntosh flipped and shimmied for all they were worth and had us whining around in our seats trying to imitate them (unsuccessfully).
MC's mate DJ Clue spun and mixed for all he was worth as MC stopped for mini breaks to change or catch her breath or take sips of water, which she felt she needed to apologise for. Why I don't know. Girl, we know you can't belt out those melodic tunes on pipes that are dry like the desert.
Randy Jackson, Mariah's musical director (and always has been, but in US is famous for his judging role of American Idol) was on hand to ensure MC's music was on point all through the show. There were loads of musical high points during the show which showcased MC's vocal ability, and occasionally it seemed she would shatter with the hollering that was escaping her lithe body.
MC had her friends/featured artists on her hits, such as Busta, Jay-Z, Jermaine Dupri and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard join her via the technology of video clips onstage but it was director Spike Lee who swung it on home with a series of video clips highlighting the crap from the media and haters that MC always has to contend with - while MC just smiles as it plays.
A diva wouldn't be a diva without the long, 007-style gowns and MC's were put together by stylist June Ambrose who called in hot looks from every designer who wanted to dress MC. Ultimately, however, the clothes were made as one-offs. The outfits were untouchable and while the press may have just showed the public shots of MC in batty rider shorts, let me reassure you that the gowns and sexy dresses were much more dominant in this show than hot pants.
She not only managed to run on and off stage in a variety of outfits but her singing was complete with all the vigorous stamina you'd expect from her. This is one singer who actually sounds just as amazing, if not better, live. MC recreated the Lady Marmalade vibe with her perfectly natural curves in a metallic red burlesque costume as she straddled and worked a chair so hard it practically melted under her, and rolled through hit after hit as the night sped past.
If older fans were worried she would only bang out the old tracks they were pleasantly surprised as she worked in every hit including Dream Lover, Honey, My All, Shake It Off, Fly Like A Bird, Fantasy (during which she ventured into the crowd), Thank God I Found You, Hero and her cover of The Jackson 5's I'll Be There.
We can only pray that after its US and Asian run it will finally make its way to Europe. You know if you want it you gotta demand it readers. Holla at MC on her site now. Finally congratulations to Damon Dash's wifey and my pal Rachel Roy who was given the award for Outstanding Contribution to American Fashion by Iman this past month at the Bollywood Fashion Awards. It was her first accolade. Big up sista. (The Voice)
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