Mariah Carey is ushering in a new musical chapter. After a nearly seven-year gap since her last studio album Caution in 2018, the pop icon is teasing what appears to be her long-awaited 16th record, a project she’s masking as “MC16.”
The singer took to Instagram on June 2 to share a short yet impactful video that instantly ignited speculation. In the clip, Carey is seen sitting in a sleek black convertible, applying lip gloss while a groovy beat plays from the car’s stereo. She changes the station from her 2005 hit “It’s Like That” to an unnamed track labeled T:D_MC16.mp3, featuring a New Orleans bounce-inspired rhythm and a sultry voiceover: “To show my appreciation for your support, thank you DJs.”
To drive the point home, the car’s license plate reads “MC16,” a likely nod to her upcoming 16th studio effort.
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Cryptic Clips and a Countdown
The tease didn’t stop there. In a follow-up post, Carey once again appears in the driver’s seat, this time letting the engine rev while music fills the background. The screen quickly fades to black, revealing just one phrase: “June 6.”
While Carey hasn’t officially confirmed a single or album drop, fans are convinced something big is coming by the end of the week.
— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) June 3, 2025
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The caption “What’s your type?” (repeated in both teaser clips) hints that the upcoming release may center around themes of identity or romantic intrigue. The beat also suggests Carey could be leaning into dance or club-inspired production, aligning with the current pop landscape.
A Long-Awaited Return
Since Caution, which debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and was praised for its slick R&B grooves and modern sound, Carey has primarily focused on legacy projects and her Christmas empire. From releasing anniversary editions of iconic albums like The Emancipation of Mimi to dominating the holiday charts each December, she’s remained a fixture in pop culture without releasing much in the way of new material.
Her recent celebration of The Emancipation of Mimi’s 20th anniversary, including a deluxe edition with rare remixes and bonus content, reignited fan excitement, but this latest tease signals an official return to the studio spotlight.
Fan Reactions: “She Is Coming!”
Carey’s fanbase, known as the Lambily, wasted no time flooding her comments with enthusiasm.
One fan hilariously captioned, “MOTHER!!!” with a clip of someone screaming at the top of their lungs, “Mariah!!!” Something I’m sure we’re all feeling at this time! Another chimed in with, “I can already hear the hook and it’s a hit your honor,” while others simply echoed sentiments of relief and excitement: “Aaaaaaaaaaah I can’t wait,” and “Yessssss! She is coming.”
MOTHER!!!!!! 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/eL4ktKOQaY https://t.co/PpClbxrI4S
— 🪬³³³ (@visionofbliss) June 3, 2025
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i can already hear the hook and it’s a hit your honor pic.twitter.com/1SPtYqv777 https://t.co/rmgrlRZigf
— biblefly #MC16 (@1998Riah) June 3, 2025
Mariah announcing MC16 on Pride Month. She knows her audience ✨😭 @MariahCarey pic.twitter.com/vB11O8rQYd
— ✧ (@mariahglory) June 2, 2025
The buzz has also spilled onto X (formerly Twitter), where #MC16 began trending shortly after the clip was posted. Fans speculated about the song’s production style, potential collaborators, and whether this marks a full album era or a lead single rollout.
With June 6 just around the corner, anticipation continues to build. While Carey hasn’t dropped any additional details, she certainly knows how to keep her audience on the edge of their seats.
A New Era Dawns
Mariah Carey’s cryptic teases come at a time when many legacy artists are leaning into the streaming-driven resurgence of nostalgic pop and dance music. If “MC16” incorporates the energetic bounce teased in the snippet, it could position Carey right in the middle of a cultural moment that blends retro influence with modern flair.
For now, fans can only speculate, but if history is any indicator, when Carey drops new music, it’s bound to make waves.
Stay tuned for June 6.
