The Emancipation of Mimi

The Emancipation of Mimi is the tenth studio album by American singer and songwriter Mariah Carey, released in the United States on April 12, 2005, through Island Records. Following the relatively poor critical and commercial reception to her albums Glitter (2001) and Charmbracelet (2002), The Emancipation of Mimi was considered Carey's "comeback album" by critics and became her highest-selling release in the US in a decade. In composing the album, the singer collaborated with many songwriters and producers throughout 2004, including Jermaine Dupri, Snoop Dogg, Twista, Nelly, Pharrell Williams and James "Big Jim" Wright, many of whom appeared as featured guests on some tracks.

Carey opted to use her personal nickname 'Mimi' in the album's title, revealing a more intimate side of the singer, as seen in its declarative theme of emancipation from her personal and commercial setbacks. Although it has similar vocal production to her previous works and an inclination towards her signature ballads, the album encompassed dance-oriented and uptempo styles in keeping with its celebratory motif. Critics noted the album's theme of independence and lack of restraint, dubbing it a "party" record. In contrast to the pop and adult contemporary music styles that framed her previous releases, The Emancipation of Mimi showcased a wider range of genres, exploring R&B-related styles, such as 1970s retro gospel and soul.

The Emancipation of Mimi received generally positive reviews; critics billed it as Carey's best vocal performance in years and an improvement from Charmbracelet. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 with the highest first-week sales of Carey's career at the time. It entered in the top five on the albums charts in Argentina, Canada, Denmark, France, and Japan, as well as on the European chart. The Emancipation of Mimi was the best-selling album of 2005 in the United States, and the second-best seller worldwide. By April 2008, it had sold over 12 million copies.

Carey achieved international success with the first two singles from the album. "It's Like That" became one of her highest-charting songs in years, reaching the top twenty in several countries. "We Belong Together" accumulated 14 total weeks at number one in the United States, and was later hailed "song of the decade" by Billboard. It reached number one in Australia, number two in New Zealand, and achieved top-five places in several European countries. To promote the album, Carey performed at the 48th Grammy Awards and the American Music Awards of 2005. In 2006, she embarked on her sixth concert tour, The Adventures of Mimi.