Mariah The Scientist ft. Kali Uchis – “Is It A Crime”
Mariah The Scientist releases “Is It A Crime” single with Kali Uchis
Mariah The Scientist has returned with a new collaboration that blends emotional vulnerability with sonic elegance. Her latest single, Is It A Crime featuring Kali Uchis, is the follow-up to her breakout 2025 hit Burning Blue. The single arrives ahead of her highly anticipated fourth studio album, HEARTS SOLD SEPARATELY, scheduled for release on August 22, 2025.
With soft-spoken intensity and bold, confessional lyricism, Is It A Crime is more than just a new single—it’s a statement. One that affirms Mariah’s place among today’s most authentic and emotionally resonant R&B artists.
Why Is It A Crime Is Resonating
From the first few notes, Is It A Crime draws the listener into an ambient soundscape crafted by producers Matt1k and Nineteen85, best known for their work with artists like Drake, SZA, and PARTYNEXTDOOR. The production is subtle but immersive, designed to create an atmosphere that complements the song’s lyrical themes of emotional honesty, romantic confusion, and longing.
The chorus lingers in the mind long after the song ends:
“Is it a crime to fall in love a couple times, tell me?”
It’s a rhetorical question for romantics everywhere. This line in particular serves as a heart-piercing refrain that captures the song’s essence: love is messy, and nobody should be punished for loving fully—even if that love doesn’t last.
Kali Uchis adds her own layer of elegance to the track. Her voice floats over the beat, interweaving with Mariah’s in a way that feels both dreamlike and grounded. The chemistry between the two singers isn’t just convincing—it’s compelling.
The Build-Up: Success of Burning Blue
Is It A Crime doesn’t appear out of nowhere. It follows the monumental success of Mariah’s earlier 2025 single, Burning Blue, which became her first Top 25 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned RIAA® Gold certification. The track also reached No. 1 on both Rhythmic Radio and Urban Radio charts—two key formats that indicate not only popularity, but cultural resonance.
Burning Blue was released in May 2025 and quickly shot to No. 1 on Apple Music’s streaming chart, making Mariah the first solo female artist to top the platform that calendar year. With nearly 30 million domestic and global streams in its first week alone, the single solidified her as a major voice in contemporary R&B.
Its accompanying music video, directed by Claire Bishara, portrayed a military-themed love story with emotional weight. The visuals amassed over 18 million views, turning it into a viral moment and drawing significant media attention for its bold commentary on vulnerability and intimacy in a world that often celebrates emotional distance.
Mariah The Scientist’s Message: Love Isn’t a Joke
Mariah has always written about love—its joy, its pain, its contradictions. But something about 2025 feels different. There’s a new level of confidence in how she approaches her themes. In interviews and public appearances, Mariah has emphasized that she is done hiding behind metaphors or playing into emotional irony. She is serious about love. Deeply so.
In a culture that often rewards detachment, Mariah’s earnestness stands out. She isn’t afraid to be the one who cares more, who loves louder, or who risks heartbreak. That authenticity connects, and her fans feel it.
Is It A Crime continues this narrative by challenging the listener to reflect on their own relationship patterns and emotional boundaries. Is it truly wrong to fall in love multiple times? Or are we just conditioned to feel guilt for wanting connection?
Kali Uchis: A Perfect Match for the Moment
Kali Uchis brings her signature blend of ethereal vocals and Latin-infused soul to the track. Known for genre-defying albums and a fiercely loyal fanbase, Kali is no stranger to emotional storytelling. Her contribution to Is It A Crime is more than a feature—it’s a collaboration in the truest sense.
Her voice adds texture, nuance, and dimension to the song. She doesn’t just sing alongside Mariah—she amplifies her. Together, they create a duet that feels deeply human, grounded in shared experience and mutual understanding.
This isn’t just a case of “two artists on a track.” It’s two voices telling one story.
What We Know About HEARTS SOLD SEPARATELY
Mariah’s upcoming album, HEARTS SOLD SEPARATELY, is shaping up to be one of her most introspective projects yet. While full tracklists haven’t been revealed, the tone is clear: this is an album about vulnerability, risk, and emotional truth.
The title itself suggests themes of individualism and emotional independence. In a world where relationships often turn transactional, Mariah reminds us that love isn’t something you can buy—or sell. Each heart has its own journey, its own value, and its own price.
Fans are expecting an album that not only continues Mariah’s trajectory of strong songwriting and cinematic production, but also one that expands on the emotional range of her previous work, such as 2021’s Ry Ry World and 2023’s To Be Eaten Alive.
Industry Recognition & Cultural Momentum
Mariah’s growing recognition isn’t limited to her streaming numbers. In 2025, she was inducted into The Recording Academy’s New Member Class, a significant nod from the music industry’s most prestigious institution. That recognition marks her not just as a hitmaker, but as an artist with staying power.
Even megastar Rihanna offered praise during a recent European press tour, acknowledging Mariah’s impact on the current R&B landscape. That type of co-sign doesn’t just elevate Mariah’s profile—it reinforces her authenticity and artistry to a global audience.
Tour Dates and Live Appearances
Mariah is set to perform at Lollapalooza on Sunday, August 3rd, bringing her hits to one of the biggest festival stages in the world. The night before, she’ll treat fans to an exclusive underplay show at The Vic Theatre, a more intimate venue that reflects her connection to fans and her commitment to intimate storytelling.
In addition, she will serve as keynote speaker at ENVSN Festival in New York City later this August. This isn’t just a music performance—it’s a broader conversation about love, art, vulnerability, and the role of women in modern R&B.
What Makes This Moment Evergreen
One of the reasons Is It A Crime and Mariah’s current era feel so important is because of their evergreen emotional appeal. Love, heartbreak, and longing aren’t trends—they’re part of the human experience. By writing songs that center these emotions with clarity and depth, Mariah ensures her music will continue to resonate long after the initial release cycle fades.
Listeners don’t come to her music for flashy moments or gimmicks. They come for truth, for feeling, and for a reminder that it’s okay to care deeply.
With Is It A Crime, Mariah The Scientist and Kali Uchis have delivered a song that blends tenderness and strength. It’s a song that feels personal but universal, specific but timeless. As fans count down the days to HEARTS SOLD SEPARATELY, they now have a track that reminds them what it means to be emotionally open in a guarded world.
Mariah isn’t chasing radio trends. She’s not trying to fit into anyone else’s definition of R&B. She’s simply telling the truth—and in doing so, she’s becoming one of the most important voices in modern music.
Expect more layers, more emotion, and more honesty in the weeks ahead. If Burning Blue was the spark, Is It A Crime is the fire—and HEARTS SOLD SEPARATELY just might be the flame that redefines the future of R&B.