Mariah Carey ft. Shenseea and Kehlani – “Sugar Sweet”
Mariah Carey releases “Sugar Sweet” with Shenseea and Kehlani
Mariah Carey is making waves again with her brand-new single, “Sugar Sweet,” released on July 25, 2025. It’s the second taste of her upcoming sixteenth studio album, Here For It All, arriving on September 26, 2025. Following the edgier tone of lead single Type Dangerous, Sugar Sweet shifts gears. It’s flirty, upbeat, and crafted to soundtrack the final weeks of summer.
This marks Mariah’s first full-length album since 2018’s Caution, and the buzz is justified. Moreover, entering a new phase—releasing music independently under Gamma, with longtime collaborator L.A. Reid serving as executive producer. And with Sugar Sweet, she’s showing fans just how fun and fresh this new chapter can be.
Inside the Track: What Makes “Sugar Sweet” Special?
Mariah teased Sugar Sweet for weeks before its release. She shared baking-themed teaser videos, singing a snippet of the chorus while mixing ingredients and striking playful poses. Therefore, the clips were pure Mariah—glamorous, cheeky, and confident. Fans were immediately hooked by the lyric:
“I’m-a keep it nice / I’m-a keep it neat / I’m-a keep it sugar / I’m-a keep it sweet”
The track delivers on that promise. It’s a breezy blend of pop, R&B, and island vibes—sweet in tone but laced with power. Unlike Type Dangerous, which was built on a classic hip-hop sample and aggressive beats, Sugar Sweet leans into melody and mood.
Furthermore, the vocals are pure Mariah: multi-layered, warm, and soaring. She blends her signature whistle notes with smooth verses and a bright, catchy chorus. It’s a song that feels effortlessly current while tapping into the charm of her earlier pop eras.
The Features: Kehlani & Shenseea Bring Star Power
After weeks of online speculation, Mariah confirmed that Sugar Sweet features both Kehlani and Shenseea. It’s a powerful trio.
Kehlani’s contribution adds emotional depth. Her smooth, sultry tone complements Mariah’s voice without overshadowing it. She brings a modern R&B edge, helping the song reach both longtime fans and a new generation of listeners.
Shenseea, the rising Jamaican artist known for her dancehall influence, adds the spice. Her appearance gives the track a rhythmic bounce that makes it ideal for playlists, clubs, and radio alike. It’s a perfect late-summer jam, with layers that feel intentional, not just trendy.
The combination of all three artists feels seamless. Instead of overpowering the song, the features highlight Mariah’s ability to evolve—and her commitment to uplifting new voices alongside her own legacy.
The Bigger Picture: Here For It All
Mariah’s upcoming album Here For It All is shaping up to be one of her most personal and reflective works. She’s described the project as “the story of the last decade”—touching on motherhood, personal growth, creative struggles, and triumphs.
The album contains 11 tracks, a tight and intentional collection that balances ballads with uptempo tracks. From what’s been revealed, fans can expect a blend of styles: lush slow jams, breezy mid-tempos, and bold pop experiments.
Executive-produced by L.A. Reid, the album marks a return to a collaborative dynamic that produced some of her most successful music in the 2000s. But this time, it’s under Mariah’s terms.
She’s no longer tied to a major label. With Gamma, she has full creative control—and it shows in both her rollout and her sound. Every step of the Here For It All era has been carefully crafted, from the visuals to the music videos to the way she’s interacted with fans on social media.
“Type Dangerous” vs. “Sugar Sweet”: Two Sides of the Comeback
Type Dangerous, released on June 6, 2025, introduced fans to the Here For It All era with a bang. Sampling Eric B. & Rakim’s “Eric B. Is President,” the song paid homage to classic hip-hop while launching Mariah back into the spotlight.
The track marked her 50th entry on the Billboard Hot 100, reaffirming her chart legacy and reminding everyone that she hasn’t lost her touch. With co-production from Anderson .Paak, Type Dangerous was gritty and assertive.
But Sugar Sweet brings a softer, more melodic energy to the table. It’s playful where Type Dangerous was bold. It’s sunlit where Type Dangerous was shadowy. And together, these two singles showcase the range Mariah still offers—more than 30 years into her career.
Why Fans Are Loving “Sugar Sweet”
The reaction to Sugar Sweet was immediate. Fans flooded social media with praise, hailing the track as a classic Mariah bop with just the right amount of modern flavor. Many highlighted the clever lyrics and rich vocal layers, while others celebrated the synergy between Mariah, Kehlani, and Shenseea.
Some longtime fans noted that Sugar Sweet feels like a spiritual cousin to past hits like “Honey” or “Sweetheart”—sugar-coated on the outside but full of confidence and control underneath. Others appreciated the timing: a bright, breezy song released just as summer starts to fade, offering joy and warmth in a transitional moment.
The track is also a smart move commercially. It appeals to younger audiences through its featured guests, yet retains Mariah’s unmistakable stamp—blending familiarity with freshness in a way few artists can.
Mariah’s Independent Era: The Power of Gamma
Here For It All is Mariah’s first album under the independent label Gamma, founded by L.A. Reid and Larry Jackson. This move signals a new era of autonomy for the singer.
By stepping away from the constraints of major labels, Mariah is in full control of her image, sound, and release schedule. That independence is reflected in the boldness of her singles and the creativity of her rollout.
There’s a freedom in Sugar Sweet that feels authentic. The song doesn’t chase trends—it embraces them with finesse. It’s a track made by an artist who knows exactly what she wants to say and how she wants to say it.
What Comes Next
With two singles out and an album just weeks away, fans are now watching closely for more. A music video for Sugar Sweet is expected soon, and Mariah is rumored to be planning a series of performances and media appearances leading up to the album release.
A limited-edition vinyl and deluxe bundle are already available for pre-order. Collectors and longtime Lambs are scrambling to secure early copies, while digital platforms prepare for what could be one of the fall’s biggest releases.
There’s also speculation about more collaborations on the album. If Sugar Sweet is any indication, Mariah is curating a sound that’s both nostalgic and new—a signature blend that only she can deliver.
Why “Sugar Sweet” Is More Than Just a Song
Mariah Carey has always been a master of timing, tone, and transformation. Sugar Sweet isn’t just a fun summer song. It’s a signal of where she’s headed.
It’s the kind of track that reminds you why Mariah is still relevant—because she never tries to be anyone but herself. She evolves, adapts, and experiments—but her voice, her vision, and her charm remain constant.
With Here For It All on the horizon, Sugar Sweet offers a refreshing taste of what’s to come. It’s catchy. It’s confident. It’s classic Mariah, reimagined for 2025.
And for fans old and new, it’s a sweet reminder that one of pop’s greatest voices is still here, still innovating, and still in full command of her power.