It failed to make any impressions, either critically or commercially. Released shortly after was Emotions, Carey's second album and a homage to the Motown sound. The album was a big success, going on to sell over 9 million copies. It had four number one singles and earned Carey two Grammy Awards, Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. The album was a great success, reaching number one after heavy promotion. Motolla tracked down Carey and signed her to his label.Ĭarey's self-titled debut album was released in 1990 and was co-written by Carey. Starr and in 1988, met Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola at a party where Starr gave him Carey's tape. This helped her meet musicians in the music industry and so she had the help of Christopher and Ben Margulies on her demo tape after high school. By junior high she was writing her own songs and in high school, she was often used as a demo singer for local recording studios. She started singing at the age of three and performed in public during elementary school. Often at home by herself, as Carey's mother worked several jobs to support the family, Carey began to turn to music.

When Carey was three, her parents divorced. The third and youngest child of the family, Carey endured racial slurs, and hostility that forced the family to move several times. Her mother is Irish American and her father is of African-American and Venezuelan descent. Mariah Carey was born in Long Island, New York to the former opera singer Patricia Hickey and Alfred Roy Carey.

Alfred roy carey patricia carey