Mariah Carey reveals her 'best album' despite 'zero accolades'

Mariah Carey looks back at some of the most defining moments of her career.

The singer sat down with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang for a new episode of the duo Las Culturistas podcast, where Carey revealed how her sixth studio album, Butterflywhat it meant to her. “It certainly has a very special meaning for me. I think it's probably my best album,” he revealed.

When Rogers replied that he did not understand why Butterfly “It doesn't have all the accolades,” Carey agreed. “It has zero distinctions, I think,” he joked, before adding, “I love this album. It has a certain feel when you hear it. It just has a lot of diversity. Go from 'Breakdown' to 'Butterfly' to 'My All'.

The compilation was released in September 1997 and included the singles “Honey”, “Breakdown”, “The Roof” and the group tracks. The project debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart and was certified five times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. While the project did not receive a Grammy, in 1998, “Honey” was nominated for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and “Butterfly” was nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

Butterfly it also represented a musical freedom for Carey, as she took control of her creative vision and began playing with hip-hop-influenced R&B to balance out the pop and adult contemporary music style fans had become accustomed to.

To celebrate his 25th anniversary in 2022, the superstar came up with the project via social media, writing, “I will never forget the day I released this album to the world. I had never felt more exposed and vulnerable, yet free and euphoric at the same time. It was a true MANIFESTATION (no pun intended!) of my spirit, soul and innermost feelings that I put into every verse and every note of every song. 25 years later, it is still one of the proudest moments of my life and career.”

See Carey in full Las Culturistas interview below.