Mariah Carey Goes Home to Sony-Epic Officially, Plans Album of Number 1s

Showbiz 411 writes: It’s official. I can tell you exclusively that Mariah Carey has signed her deal with Sony Music and Epic Records. She’s back with L.A. Reid and Doug Morris, her ardent supporters during her triumphant run at Universal Music Group.

“She’s back where she belongs,” a source told me. And just in the nick of time. Knowing her UMG release last year was her last, DefJam let “Me I Am Mariah, The Elusive Chanteuse” album die a quick death despite very good reviews. Sales were abysmal.

Now Carey rejoins her catalog that stretches back to 1989 and “Vision of Love.” I’m told Epic’s first move will be a big release come May or June of Mariah’s 18 number 1 hits, plus some surprises. The release will coincide with her May 6th debut in Las Vegas at the Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace.

So brace yourselves for a big Mariah year– and a hopeful return to the charts.

Billboard writes: The ink is dry on Mariah Carey’s new recording contract with Epic Records, a spokesperson for the Sony label confirms.

As first reported by Billboard on Jan. 30, the singer is reteaming with Antonio “L.A.” Reid for a multi-album deal that would begin with a greatest-hits set to coincide with her upcoming residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

Dubbed “#1’s,” the concert series booked by Creative Artists Agency begins May 6 and will include all 18 of Carey’s Billboard Hot 100 chart-toppers, from 1990’s “Vision of Love” to 2008’s “Touch My Body.” Likewise, her forthcoming album for Epic is expected to feature updates and possibly duets of her classic songs.

Although Carey left Sony some 15 years ago on tumultuous terms, there are plenty of reasons why rejoining makes sense now. Doug Morris, current chairman/CEO of Sony Music, brought Carey to Island Def Jam in 2003 when he was running Universal Music Group. It was there that Reid, then head of IDJ, oversaw her 2005 comeback, The Emancipation of Mimi. Finally, Joey Arbagey, a collaborator of Carey’s during the making of the six-times platinum Mimi, is now executive vp A&R at Epic. Indeed, Carey is already recording new music in Los Angeles, says a source.

No word yet on a potential release date for her first Epic effort.