The Queen of Christmas Aiming for Another Crown
Mariah Carey, often hailed as the Queen of Christmas and one of the most celebrated artists in music history, is stepping into a bold new era. With her 16th studio album on the way and the release of her new single, “Type Dangerous,” Carey isn’t just aiming for another hit—she’s chasing history itself.
Her goal? To reach her 20th number-one single, tying the legendary Beatles, and then go one step further with a 21st, setting a new all-time record. For Carey, who already holds 19 chart-topping hits and five Grammy awards, this is more than a career milestone—it’s a chance to cement her place at the pinnacle of music’s Mount Olympus.
A Late-Night Listening Session
Around midnight after Halloween, Carey sat inside the Bel Air mansion of longtime friend and producer Antonio “L.A.” Reid. Together with Larry Jackson, CEO of the music startup Gamma, she played tracks from her upcoming album.
Jackson, a veteran of over 30 years in the music business and a former creative force behind Apple Music, remembers being struck by the surreal nature of the moment. “Why am I in this room?” he thought. But Carey had an answer: “I know who you are. I know what you’ve done. And I think you’re the right person to take me to new heights.”
This confidence marked the beginning of a powerful new partnership.
Gamma: Redefining the Future of Music
Larry Jackson’s journey to this point has been anything but ordinary. Starting as a teenage radio director, he went on to work with legends like Clive Davis, Jimmy Iovine, and Dr. Dre. He was a founding member of Beats Music and later helped build Apple Music into a global powerhouse.
In 2023, Jackson took a daring leap, leaving Apple to launch Gamma—a music company that focuses on empowering artists, fostering independence, and reshaping the way music is owned and shared. With support from big names like Todd Boehly’s Eldridge Industries, film studio A24, and Apple itself, Gamma quickly became a force. It acquired Vydia as its tech backbone, partnered with icons like Usher and Snoop Dogg, and even launched ventures beyond music, such as Snoop’s jewelry brand Lovechild.
For Carey, choosing Gamma over major labels is more than a business move—it’s a statement of independence. “What Larry Jackson is building at Gamma is beyond music. It’s a cultural shift,” she said. “This next chapter is about owning my narrative and creating freely on my own terms.”
Aiming for the Beatles’ Throne
With “Type Dangerous” already generating millions of views in teaser form across social media, anticipation for Carey’s comeback is soaring. Jackson believes the combination of Gamma’s innovative approach and Carey’s legendary talent can create history.
The dream is simple but monumental: Mariah Carey wants to tie the Beatles’ record of 20 number-one singles and then surpass it. For fans, it’s the musical equivalent of LeBron James breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s NBA scoring record—a moment where history and legacy collide.
A Game-Changer for the Industry
L.A. Reid, who will executive-produce Carey’s new album through his company Mega, believes this collaboration is transformative. “It is a game-changing moment because one of our premier stars has chosen to join forces with an independent company. It’s not just a win for Gamma, but for the entire music landscape,” he said.
Jackson himself sees Gamma as an opportunity to fill a gap left by the decline in Black executives in music leadership, comparing the vision to Berry Gordy’s Motown revolution. “If you look around the business in terms of leadership, there’s nobody who looks like me,” he said. For him, Gamma is about ownership, independence, and rewriting the rules of the industry.
Conclusion: Unfinished Business
As Mariah Carey steps into this new chapter, her partnership with Gamma symbolizes more than a career move—it represents independence, resilience, and the pursuit of greatness. For Carey, it’s about unfinished business. For Jackson, it’s about shaping a new era of music where artists take control of their destinies.
Together, they are rewriting the playbook—one golden note at a time.
