While half of LA fought for their lives at the misguided Rolling Loud festival, the Wiltern was filled with lovers and hopeless romantics for a performance by Mariah The Scientist. It was a night perfect for a girl’s trip, accompanied by overpriced drinks, top 40 R&B hits, and a performer who ran a little later than expected. We will forgive Ms. Mariah for her sniffles and coughs this time, afterall that ish is endlessly going around. Nevertheless, she put on a most blissful performance.
After two DJs, Ryan Trey took the stage. The night was filled with vlog cameras, FaceTime calls, and karaoke-style singing about love and loss.
The Atlanta-born and bred “R&B” newcomer, Mariah the Scientist, is your homegirl with beautiful vocals, a beautiful face, a record deal, and a quirky smile. For an hour plus, I watched as crowds of fans bellowed out Mariah’s most popular songs from her now 4-year-long career, from “Always and Forever” to “Walked In” and then some.
While listening to “Revenge,” a Justin Timberlake-inspired “Cry Me A River” alt-pop ballad, and “Beetlejuice,” one of Mariah’s first breakout hits, I thought to myself, “Hm, I want more for her. There needs to be something else.”
Her vocals stand out on tracks like these. With lyrics that are sometimes simple in form and harmony, these melancholy ballads could push Mariah into a different lane if they were explored. It’s too early to say what the trajectory of Mariah’s career can be, but what I want from her is a progression similar to that of artists like Kali Uchis and Lana Del Rey. She’s a promising artist, but her true potential surpasses monotone 808 beats and simplistic stage designs. If I were an A&R or label, I would introduce her to the pop and country music crowds. I would ensure she was adorned with bedazzled Cowboy hats, big ’60s hair, and contemporary vintage outfits made for a Y2k Southern Bell. I would make sure she made more of a lasting impression.
Her performance for the night was great, but there needs to be more than a microphone on stage with her and Casamigos flowing through the crowd. Give Mariah and us something: a band, a guitarist accompaniment, more dynamic visuals, something.
Sometimes, it can be hard to criticize an “R&B” act because rhythm and blues have birthed so many different genres of music. Still, I know she is considered R&B because she’s a Black artist, and not because of her vocal progression, tonality, subject matter, or rhythmic twang.
Mariah is doing great, but there can be more.
Photos & Words by Asha Moné
This post may contain affiliate links. Ads and affiliate links are how independent blogs like Grimy Goods can operate. Thank you for supporting our work and being a part of our music community.
