So we’re a week out from Here for It All dropping on September 26, and fans are already trying to figure out what comes after “Type Dangerous” and “Sugar Sweet.” Word is it’s probably gonna be “Play This Song” – that Anderson .Paak collab everyone’s been talking about.
The .Paak Connection
This is actually Mariah’s first time working with Anderson .Paak officially, but he’s been all over this album. Not only is he featured on “Play This Song,” but he also helped write and produce “Type Dangerous” (which just got her that MTV VMA, by the way – her first one ever for Best R&B Video).
Remember their BET Awards performance back in June? .Paak was on drums for “Type Dangerous” and honestly, their chemistry was pretty obvious. It even got people wondering if something was going on between them, though Mariah’s been keeping that whole situation vague as usual.
When she talked to The Sun back in August, she called “Play This Song” a “Seventies R’n’B vibe” and said it felt like a natural duet. The track’s sitting at #6 on the album, right after “Jesus I Do” with The Clark Sisters and before the title track.
Video Rumors Are Getting Wild
Here’s where things get interesting. Yesterday The Sun dropped this story saying “Play This Song” is definitely the next single and they’ve apparently already shot a whole music video for it. Like, it’s done and ready to drop with the album.
Their sources are calling it “high-budget” with lots of funky R&B vibes, choreography, vintage cars (kinda like the “Type Dangerous” video), and .Paak’s got a big role in it too. One insider told them: “The video is already shot and, as you would expect, it’s high budget. Mariah looks incredible, and the track is really fun.”
If this is true, that’s a pretty big move – dropping a single and video on the same day as your album release.
Why This Actually Makes Sense
Think about it – “Type Dangerous” was this edgy hip-hop thing, “Sugar Sweet” brought those Caribbean summer vibes with Shenseea and Kehlani, so “Play This Song” would be something completely different. More like a throwback soul track but with modern production.
Plus “Sugar Sweet” is still doing well on the R&B charts (sitting in the Top 20 right now), so hitting people with another single right when the album drops could really push Here for It All to #1.
And honestly? Getting .Paak’s fans interested while keeping the Lambily happy with those vocal runs we know Mariah’s gonna deliver – that’s smart business.
What We Know About the Song
From the little snippets fans have heard, it sounds like seventies funk meets modern R&B. Very Emancipation of Mimi era but updated for 2025. The lyrics seem to be about healing and joy – apparently the main hook goes “Play this song, let it heal your soul” which, yeah, that’s gonna stick in your head.
.Paak brings his usual smooth rap style mixed with some retro flair, plus you know he’s probably on drums throughout the whole thing. That’s his signature.
Bottom Line
Look, nothing’s officially confirmed yet, but everything’s pointing in this direction. The video investment (if true), where it sits on the album, the whole progression from her other singles – it all makes sense.
We’ll find out for sure next Thursday when Here for It All finally drops. But honestly? This collaboration has been building up since their BET performance, and if they really did shoot a whole video already, that’s not the kind of money you spend on an album track.