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Emancipation of Mimi 20th Anniversary: A Cause for Celebration
A Triumphant Return, Two Decades On
Mariah Carey’s The Emancipation of Mimi 20th Anniversary Edition has arrived – and lambs everywhere are rejoicing with nostalgia. Back in 2005, proving she was ready to slay, Mariah gifted us with a confident album cover, dressed by designer Threeasfour, and then chopped up with MC scissors… to show more leg dahhlling, and we didn’t know the record-breaking surprises that this album had inside just yet.
This re-release isn’t just a stroll down memory lane; it’s a victory lap for an album that was widely seen as Mariah’s comeback, after the music industry had written her off following the turbulent Glitter / Charmbracelet era. Mariah herself has reflected on that period with pride, saying she “got to relive all the memories from this pivotal moment” in her life while assembling the anniversary edition. Fans responded in force – the deluxe edition notched over 1.2 million Spotify streams on its release day, double her usual streaming figures for Emancipation and the album’s highest single-day streaming total ever. Nearing 14 million copies worldwide, the album is now placed as the 400th best-selling album of all time. In true emancipation fashion, Mariah has turned a once uncertain chapter into yet another triumph.
What followed on release day was a multi-layered celebration that touched nearly every corner of the fan experience — from physical editions and digital charts to rare tracks and remixes. Here’s how the anniversary unfolded, one layer at a time.
Vinyl Reissues Back on the Shelves
To celebrate Mimi’s 20th birthday, two lavish vinyl sets hit the market: a standard 2-LP edition and a deluxe 5-LP box set loaded with extras. Despite hefty price tags (the 5LP set retailed around $250), demand was strong. Amazon’s listings even flagged “100+ units sold” for the 5-LP version upon release – a testament to the buying power of the Lambily. Casual fans and collectors alike scrambled for these keepsakes, eager to own a piece of Mariah history in analog form. While the vinyl tracklist is slightly different to the digital format, the staples are there. Clearly, even 20 years on, The Emancipation of Mimi remains a hot commodity, proving that the era of physical sales isn’t over when it comes to devoted Mariah fans.
Chart Comeback: iTunes & Streaming Stats
On digital charts, Mimi’s anniversary edition made a splash. In the heat of release day, the album soared to #2 on the U.S. iTunes album chart, trailing only Miley Cyrus’ newly released set. It eventually settled at a strong #15 on U.S. iTunes by day’s end and hit #9 on the Worldwide iTunes Albums chart – remarkable for a 20-year-old record. It also reached #17 on European iTunes and even entered the Apple Music global albums chart at #79, according to chart data from Kworb. These are impressive feats for a reissued album, underscoring the enduring love for Mimi.
Perhaps more telling is the streaming boost for some deep cuts and old remixes. Lambs didn’t just replay the hits; they indulged in everything – pushing previously overlooked tracks to new heights. Some of the album’s original remixes from 2005 (which had languished in triple-digit daily streams) suddenly surged into the thousands of plays per day once re-released, as fans relished every remix and B-side. With over 13 million worldwide units sold including streaming, the album’s legacy is unquestionable.
“When I Feel It”: A Lost Track Finds New Life
One of the most exciting treats for fans is the official debut of “When I Feel It”, a previously unreleased track from the early Mimi recordings. Hardcore lambs knew this song from low-quality leaks – it was cut from the original album in 2005 due to sample clearance issues and replaced by “Joy Ride” at the last minute. Now, “When I Feel It” is finally here in full, mixed and mastered. The sultry mid-tempo track (which interpolates The Dynamic Superiors’ “Here Comes That Feeling”) racked up over 20 thousand YouTube views and has already surpassed 100 thousand streams on Spotify – a strong showing for a two-decade-old “new” song.
Far from the “Fantasy” and “Touch My Body” days when Mariah moved over 200 thousand copies in its first week, “When I Feel It” is still likely to reach 5–10 thousand equivalent copies in its first week. No single, no new album, just because it’s Mariah. More importantly, its release feels like justice for an era-specific gem that almost never saw the light of day. Lambs are celebrating the song’s official arrival, treating it as a bonus Mimi-era single that time forgot.
Say Somethin’ (Solange Southern Star Remix): A Fan-Turned-Collaborator’s Dream
Another headline-grabber from the anniversary package is Solange’s remix of “Say Somethin’.” A longtime Mariah admirer, Solange Knowles jumped at the chance to put her spin on this Pharrell-produced 2006 single. The result is a “dreamy, chopped-and-screwed” remix available on the digital deluxe edition. For Solange – an artist known for her eclectic R&B style – this was more than just a remix; it was a fan-to-idol love letter.
She shared her giddy enthusiasm on social media, posting a throwback clip of herself praising Mariah in an interview years ago. On Instagram Stories, Solange wrote a heartfelt note of appreciation to MC: “i love uuuu so much mom @mariahcarey tyyy so muchhh,” she gushed, even sharing a video of herself dancing joyously to her own remix (source: @solangeknowles via Instagram Stories, May 2025). The collaboration is a full-circle moment (Solange grew up studying Mariah’s vocals) and it shows – her remix infuses “Say Somethin’” with woozy Houston slow-jam vibes, as if paying homage to one of her biggest influences. Fans have lauded Solange’s take for bringing a fresh, vibey dimension to a lesser-known Mimi single, and Mariah herself gave the remix a resounding thumbs-up.
Esentrik’s “It’s Like That” Remix Bridges Generations
The anniversary edition also delivers a high-octane remix of “It’s Like That” by esentrik, a New York-based DJ/producer of Filipino heritage. Esentrik (who first gained fame for viral mash-ups, like a Beyoncé “Cuff It” blend that even caught Queen Bey’s attention) brings a club-ready twist to Mariah’s 2005 party anthem. For many Filipino lambs, seeing one of their own contribute to Mariah’s legacy was a point of pride – Mariah has an enormous fanbase in the Philippines, and this remix feels like a nod to that community. In fact, one industry interviewer excitedly noted that “a Filipino DJ, DJ Esentrik, produced the track,” recounting how hearing the remix gave him literal goosebumps.
Esentrik’s version keeps the original’s blazing energy (Fatman Scoop’s hype shouts and Jermaine Dupri’s ad-libs are intact) but weaves in modern electro-bounce elements – plus a few clever nods to the Mimi era. The accompanying music video for the remix delighted fans with its retro touches: it’s packed with mid-2000s nostalgia, including a Windows XP-style interface and vintage camcorder aesthetics. “Definitely giving me 2000s nostalgia,” one Reddit user wrote, applauding the Windows 2000-style throwback in the visuals. Lambs who came of age during Mimi’s original run found themselves transported, as if it were 2005 all over again. Esentrik himself expressed gratitude for being “included in this iconic moment,” and the remix has been met with enthusiasm – both on the dance floor and among day-one Mariah devotees. This is easily our favorite remix of “It’s Like That” – energetic, fresh, and perfectly in tune with the era’s essence. Both the music video and Spotify audio have surpassed 30 thousand listens each, proving its broad appeal.
Kaytranada’s Remix & The A Cappella Treats
Not to be overlooked, producer Kaytranada also lent his magic to The Emancipation of Mimi’s celebration. His funky remix of “Don’t Forget About Us” actually dropped in April as an early teaser, and it’s been racking up plays ever since. In fact, Kaytranada’s reimagining of the 2005 hit recently neared 2 million streams on Spotify – a milestone that speaks to both the remix’s quality and the anticipation for the anniversary project. The Canadian-Haitian beatmaker gave “Don’t Forget About Us” a sleek mid-tempo groove, replete with bouncing bass and atmospheric synths, introducing the song to a new generation of R&B lovers while pleasing the old guard.
As if all these new remixes weren’t enough, Mariah also treated fans to three a cappella tracks from the Mimi vault. The stripped-down vocal tracks for “Shake It Off,” “Circles,” and “Joy Ride” became available for the first time, allowing listeners to hear the intricacies of Mariah’s voice isolated from the production. For vocal enthusiasts, this was heaven-sent – a chance to study the runs, whispers, and power belts in raw form.
Among these, “Circles” quickly emerged as the fan favorite, surpassing 70 thousand streams – a far cry from the 26 and 16 thousand reached by “Joy Ride” and “Shake It Off,” respectively. Hearing the emotion-laced phrasing and vocal layering of “Circles” in a cappella form gave fans a renewed appreciation for this lesser-known track. Producers and remixers online have already started playing with the a cappellas, and clips of fan-made mashups are circulating, proving that even 20 years later, the Mimi material can inspire new creativity.
Legacy Secured: New Certifications & The Mimi Sessions
All of this activity around The Emancipation of Mimi underscores one truth: the album’s legacy is secure and still expanding. Just in time for the anniversary, two of Mimi’s defining singles earned fresh RIAA hardware. The timeless ballad “We Belong Together” – which spent 14 weeks at #1 back in the day – is now officially 7× Platinum in the U.S., making it Mariah’s highest-certified non-holiday song ever. Meanwhile, the bouncy opener “It’s Like That” (the very track that kicked off Mariah’s 2005 renaissance) finally reached Platinum status. Fans cheered these long-overdue honors, flooding social media with celebratory posts and reminiscing about where they were in 2005 when those songs first dropped. And while the Mimi album itself hasn’t yet been updated to 8× Platinum, its multi-million sales (over 13 million worldwide and counting) speak volumes about its impact.
In addition to the audio goodies, Mariah gave us a visual gift: “Mariah Carey Live: The Mimi Sessions.” We’ve already covered this stripped-down, intimate performance in our previous article – where Mariah, accompanied by Daniel Moore on piano, reimagines Mimi classics with vulnerability and elegance. A true love letter to the fans and her legacy.
Conclusion: Mariah – The Gift That Keeps on Giving
Two decades after she first emancipated “Mimi,” Mariah Carey has shown that she’s truly the gift that keeps on giving. This 20th Anniversary celebration wasn’t just a rehash of old material – it was a lovingly curated package blending nostalgia, fresh creativity, and fan-centric surprises. From marquee names like Solange and Kaytranada adding their flair, to up-and-comers like esentrik connecting Mimi to the next generation, to Mariah herself baring her soul in The Mimi Sessions, the anniversary edition was a “cause for celebration” in every sense. As lambs, we’ve been reminded why we fell in love with this album (and artist) in the first place – and we’re feeling that 2005-level excitement all over again. With Mariah hinting at a brand-new studio album on the horizon, the excitement only builds from here. Here’s to 20 years of The Emancipation of Mimi – and to Mariah Carey, who after all this time still has us feeling emotions (deeper than we’ve ever dreamed of). In the diva’s own words, it’s “a cause for celebration.”
