BET Awards 2025: 10 Times Mariah Carey’s Pen Game Changed the Music Industry
When we talk about Mariah Carey, the conversation usually starts with her five-octave range, iconic whistle notes, and glittering legacy of pop-R&B dominance. But what often gets overlooked is something that separates her from most of her peers: Mariah writes her own damn songs—and she’s been doing it since day one.
As the BET Awards 2025 honors her with the Ultimate Icon Award, it’s time to recognize her pen game. Because while most artists are handed hits, Mariah created hers, co-writing 18 of her 19 No. 1 singles (a feat few can touch). Her lyrics, melodies, and hooks have shaped modern pop and R&B—and inspired generations of artists along the way.
Here are 10 moments where Mariah Carey’s songwriting literally shifted the culture:
1. “Vision of Love” (1990)
Where it started. At just 20 years old, Mariah wrote a gospel-tinged power ballad that would define the sound of the early ’90s and usher in the “diva” vocal era. “Vision of Love” wasn’t just a debut single—it was a mission statement.
2. “Fantasy” (1995)
The remix might’ve made history, but the original was magic. Mariah’s sugary, euphoric lyrics over a Tom Tom Club sample felt like the ultimate carefree daydream. She made Fantasy a feeling—and created a radio staple in the process.
3. “Always Be My Baby” (1996)
Playful, soulful, and unmistakably Mariah. This song’s emotional tug and deceptively simple chorus proves her genius lies in writing what we all feel—but can’t quite say.
4. “Hero” (1993)
Yes, it’s a little schmaltzy—but who among us hasn’t cried to “Hero”? Mariah reportedly didn’t even want to keep this song, but it became one of her biggest hits. Written during a time of personal uncertainty, it became a universal anthem of strength.
5. “Honey” (1997)
This is where she shook the table. “Honey” was sultry, confident, and marked her full transformation into R&B’s favorite pop crossover. Written with Puff Daddy and Q-Tip, the song’s hook, lyrics, and delivery oozed empowerment and sensuality.
6. “The Roof” (1997)
If you know, you know. This one’s for the deep cuts crew. With lush storytelling and slick lyricism, “The Roof” is Mariah at her most cinematic—painting a vivid scene of a rooftop rendezvous during a rainstorm. R&B storytelling doesn’t get much better.
7. “We Belong Together” (2005)
This isn’t just a comeback song—it’s a masterclass. The layered verses, the emotional crescendo, the pacing of the chorus? It’s heartbreak in hi-def. Mariah won multiple awards for it, but the real prize was reclaiming her throne.
8. “Breakdown” (1997)
Written with Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, this track is a fan favorite for a reason. It’s delicate, painful, and incredibly nuanced—proof that Mariah’s writing is just as intricate as her vocals.
9. “Obsessed” (2009)
The pen? Sharp. The shade? Sublime. A playful yet pointed takedown of a mystery man (ahem, Eminem), “Obsessed” showed Mariah could do petty with poetic flair. Bonus points for turning it into a viral moment long before TikTok even existed.
10. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (1994)
Let’s be real: this is the only new Christmas classic of the last 30 years, and she wrote it in less than an hour. Catchy, timeless, and still charting decades later. That’s iconic songwriting.
From Butterfly’s vulnerability to The Emancipation of Mimi’s empowerment, Mariah has never relied solely on her voice to carry her hits—her lyrics, structures, and melodies have always been at the core of her greatness. The industry knows it, her Lambs celebrate it, and now the BET Awards 2025 is giving her the flowers she’s more than earned.
Don’t miss her Ultimate Icon tribute live on Monday, June 9 at 8PM ET/PT only on BET.
