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The Emancipation Of Mimi Image
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 568 Ratings

  • Summary: The singer wrote many of the songs appearing on 'Mimi,' and even produced one cut, with the remainder of the production duties falling to Jermaine Dupri, the Neptunes and Kanye West. Also appearing are Nelly, Twista and Snoop Dogg.

Top Track

We Belong Together
I didn't mean it when I said I didn't love you so I should have held on tight I never should have let you go I didn't know nothing I was stupid, I... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 16
  2. Negative: 1 out of 16
  1. Emancipation works the kind of pure-pop magic that sets us all free.
  2. Vibe
    80
    Mariah gets back to her winning formula with Mimi. [May 2005, p.139]
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    Heavy on ballads and midtempo love songs, it always keeps at least one foot (more often both feet) planted firmly in comforting old-school diva soul. [15 Apr 2005, p.76]
  4. Carey does not completely hearken back to her old days, but The Emancipation of Mimi does prove her staying power.
  5. It might not be as hip as it thinks it is, nor is it as catchy as it should be, but it's smooth and listenable.
  6. Los Angeles Times
    50
    Her sadly depleted voice is again propped up by multi-tracking, and the occasional dog-deafening shriek hardly proves she's recaptured her early acrobatic power. [10 Apr 2005]
  7. New Musical Express (NME)
    20
    'Mimi' manages the unique trick of being self-indulgent without actually ever sounding much like Mariah. [16 Apr 2005, p.51]

See all 16 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Negative: 23 out of 204
  1. Jan 30, 2012
    10
    An amazing R&B retro 70s through back album!!! Every single song is literally perfect. Her vocals are very through especially on Mine AgainAn amazing R&B retro 70s through back album!!! Every single song is literally perfect. Her vocals are very through especially on Mine Again which she really show case it. Expand
  2. DannyM
    Jan 15, 2006
    10
    Mariahs returned to her roots and made her best album since her first emancipation, butterfly, definetely the best album released by a female Mariahs returned to her roots and made her best album since her first emancipation, butterfly, definetely the best album released by a female artist this year, probably the best overall Expand
  3. AmberN
    Apr 14, 2005
    10
    This is definitely the best album by far! I am digging the diversity of the album. She has the power ballads, the dance jams, the hot This is definitely the best album by far! I am digging the diversity of the album. She has the power ballads, the dance jams, the hot collaborations. I absolutely love the whole album...the ballads give me goosebumps and the jams get me dancing! Definitely the best from MC yet! The Voice never left! MC is better than ever! Expand
  4. Dec 22, 2016
    10
    ¡De los mejores álbumes de Mariah! sin duda Carey volvió a sus raíces y trajo de vuelta el R&B/hip-hop puro que solíamos escuchar en sus¡De los mejores álbumes de Mariah! sin duda Carey volvió a sus raíces y trajo de vuelta el R&B/hip-hop puro que solíamos escuchar en sus inicios. Es un disco bastante diferente a "Charmbracelet", creo que es más sincero para nada flojo. Tiene canciones muuuuuuuy buenas como "Mine Again", "Stay The Night", "I Wish You Knew" y "Fly Like a Bird", todo el álbum en general es EXCELENTE y los bonus track como "Sprung" y "Secret Love" debieron estar en la versión standard porque son muy buenos. Mariah nos entregó una joya sin duda vale mucho la pena escucharlo. Expand
  5. SteveR
    Dec 22, 2005
    9
    Mimi is on fire. this album is amazing. 8 months and it's still top 10. Grammy nominations are DEFINATELY deserved. Mariah has been a Mimi is on fire. this album is amazing. 8 months and it's still top 10. Grammy nominations are DEFINATELY deserved. Mariah has been a grammy snub for the past 15 years.... she will HOPEFULLY get the recognition she much deserves!!! Expand
  6. EdS
    May 14, 2005
    8
    I don't blame Rolling Stone or New Musical Express for playing safe with their low ratings to protect their "credibility". They favor I don't blame Rolling Stone or New Musical Express for playing safe with their low ratings to protect their "credibility". They favor alternative and rock anyway. I myself stayed away from everything she did after Butterfly. But, after sampling the clips at Amazon (and eventually buying it), I believe she's recaptured her charm from her early albums, like Emotions or Music Box. It almost sounds like she's a new artist trying to prove us again with these vocal chops. Good job Mariah! You won me over again. She still packs more talent than any of the American Idols. My favorite is the unusual pairing with Snoop Dogg on "Say Something" - kind of echoes "Someday" with the humor of Snoop. Bottom line - I'm entertained and been playing it again and again. Would be nice to have this in DVD-audio. Expand
  7. JasonS
    Apr 13, 2005
    0
    Mariah needs to change her tune, very boring.

See all 204 User Reviews