Mariah Carey reflects on a time she was stopped from embracing black music (honored by BMC)...

Appreciate the legends while they're still here. Ms Mariah Carey is deservingly getting her flowers. Last night, Mariah (alongside Lenny Kravitz) was honored with the Global Impact Award at the 3rd Annual Recording Academy Honors Presented By The BMC (Black Music Collective). Fellow legend Stevie Wonder presented her with the award. But before he handed her the trophy, he serenaded her with "Knocks Me Off My Feet." 

The superstar, accompanied by her 12-year-old twins Monroe & Moroccan), revealed: "I was not encouraged to focus on my love for Black music. It took countless arguments, endless tantrums and mostly unwavering determination. But eventually, I was able to unveil my authentic self and create music from my heart. In doing so, I discovered a new sense of freedom and fulfilment." In case you didn't know, the original version of Mariah's "Dreamlover" is not the version most are familiar with. 

Initially it was recorded with more of an R&B vibe, but her husband at the time, former Sony head Tommy Mottola forced her to re-record the song with more of a pop feel for white broader music audiences. The actual original version, known as the Bam Jam Soul mix, was relegated to the Australian maxi-single of "Dreamlover," released in 1993. As part of the MC30 celebration, she released the mix worldwide nearly 30 years later. It's shocking she was not able to embrace her love of black music despite being part black herself, which is why she went full throttle with the "Butterfly" album after their divorce. She made it acceptable for pop singers to embrace rappers and in the 90s, she was well respected for that. Needless to say, it is actually my favourite album of hers.