LOS ANGELES (AP) 鈥� Mariah Carey has blended pop, R&B, gospel and hip-hop into . But it was hearing a couple of cuts off her 1990s secret grunge album that had the superstar on her feet clapping.
Foo Fighters blasted through 鈥淪omeone’s Ugly Daughter鈥� with Taylor Momsen on lead vocals. They followed up with 鈥淟ove is a Scam鈥� as Carey sang along from her front table.
Carey was honored for her musical achievements and philanthropic efforts as MusiCares Person of the Year on Friday night, two days before the . The award is given in the week ahead of the Grammys by MusiCares, a charity that supports musicians in need.
鈥淪he is one of one,鈥� longtime collaborator Babyface said. 鈥淢ariah, you are every songwriter and producer’s dream. You strike a lot of gold. You are a blueprint of a great songwriter.鈥�
Back in 1995, Carey secretly recorded and co-produced the grunge album 鈥淪omeone鈥檚 Ugly Daughter鈥� with her friend Clarissa Dane under the name Chick. It wasn’t until her 2020 memoir that Carey revealed she was behind the project, singing background vocals while Dane handled lead.
Of all the songs performed at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Carey seemed to enjoy Foo Fighters’ blast from the past the most.
Stevie Wonder didn’t perform, but he took the stage to tell Carey, 鈥淭he greatest thing about you and I is we have respect and love for each other.鈥�
Grammy nominee Teddy Swims tackled 鈥淲ithout You,鈥� the Harry Nilsson power ballad that Carey took to No. 1 in 1994.
鈥淭hat was really terrifying,鈥� he said.
British girl group Flo harmonized on 鈥淒ream Lover,鈥� Billy Porter lent his unique interpretation to 鈥淎lways Be My Baby,鈥� and Jennifer Hudson opened with 鈥淚 Don’t Wanna Cry鈥� before seguing into 鈥淰ision of Love.鈥�
Surprise guest Busta Rhymes teamed with Chant茅 Moore and Spliff Star to perform 鈥淚 Know What You Want.”
John Legend sat behind the piano for 鈥淗ero鈥� after Charlie Puth sang 鈥淚 Still Believe鈥� in the round. Grammy nominee Laufey sang 鈥淚t’s Like That,” and, in a nod to Carey’s favorite color, Adam Lambert wore a lavender jacket while performing 鈥淐an’t Let Go.鈥� Kesha sang 鈥淥bsessed鈥� behind sunglasses. Maggie Rogers performed 鈥淗oney,鈥� and then told Carey, 鈥淵ou’re the coolest.鈥�
Tables had metallic butterflies tucked in the lavender rose centerpieces, while pats of butter were in the shape of tiny butterflies. Carey’s sixth studio album 鈥淏utterfly鈥� came out in 1997.
Dripping with diamonds on her necklace, earrings and bracelets, Carey did more singing at her table than she did onstage.
Traditionally, the honoree performs some of their biggest hits at the end of what is usually a three-hour concert. This year, the show wrapped in just under two hours, with Jon Batiste leading some of the performers in Carey’s holiday classic 鈥淎ll I Want for Christmas Is You.鈥� The guest of honor was led on stage and sang along for about 90 seconds of the finale.
Perhaps Carey was saving her five-octave range for next Friday, when she’s set to perform as part of the opening ceremony in Italy, followed by a show in Abu Dhabi the next day.
Befitting her diva status, Carey was guided to the podium trailed by a woman carrying the train of her sheer black lace dress.
鈥淎h, tonight has been sublime,鈥� she said. 鈥淭o hear my songs reimagined by some of the world鈥檚 greatest artists, it鈥檚 surreal. When I was a little girl scribbling lyrics in my notebook late at night, I could only dream of someone hearing those words and relating to them.鈥�
Carey seemed genuinely touched by the honor, which has previously been bestowed on such artists as Bruce Springsteen, Barbra Streisand, Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson, Joni Mitchell, Dolly Parton and Tom Petty. She told the crowd it was 鈥渙ne of the most profound moments of my life and career.鈥�
鈥淥h my gosh!鈥� Carey said. 鈥淚 got a chance to sit there and listen and feel very just blessed to be here. So much love, so much music. It’s overwhelming in the best possible way.鈥�
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The 68th Grammy Awards will be held Sunday. The show will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+. For more coverage of this year鈥檚 Grammy Awards visit:
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