Commercially, the last few years have seen songbird Mariah Carey’s wings clipped.

The diva’s newer releases has struggled to match the success of 2005’s triumphant chart comeback ‘The Emancipation of Mimi’, with her most recent effort ‘Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel’ tanking quite terribly in 2009.

However, it appears the new mother is ready to breathe new life into her career with a potential label move.

Full story after the jump…

Our good friends over at Mariah Daily spotted the following exchange between the Island star and former boss LA Reid, who now heads up Epic over at rival label Sony:

Mariah Carey: 5 million followers & we haven’t even scratched the surface of what’s about to happen. Epic surprise coming up!http://twitpic.com/72cn5v

LA Reid: @MariahCarey @EPIC surprise? NICE WORDING MIMI! MISSING YOU

Could the ‘We Belong Together’ singer be singing a similar tune to her one-time right hand man? We wouldn’t be surprised. After all, who wouldn’t want to reunite with the force who brought you back from the brink of irrelevancy. The force who, for a period in time, made you bigger than you were before?

Saying that, any one who knows Industry 101, would know it isn’t simply a case of clicking fingers and switching labels. Indeed, it’s common knowledge ol’ Mimi owed one more original album to Island. Hence, for any such Epic move to occur, LA and his new team would essentially have to “buy-out” the remainder of Mariah’s contract (which, despite her lack of success in recent memory, would be quite costly).

An interesting point in that if successful, it arguably says something about Island’s belief (or lack-thereof) in Mariah’s palatability to the current music market. I mean, LA is largely the entity behind Rihanna’s success, yet you don’t see Ms. Fenty jumping ship. Why? Because Def Jam wouldn’t dream of letting Ms. Fenty go. Not at this point of her career. No. Struggle as she may to sell actual albums, that little model brings in the $$$ for the label in the form of her 360 deal (see: endorsements). Put simply, if Mimi is in the midst of an Epic move, it suggests Island may not see her commercial worth on their roster anymore.

Wherever Mimi pops up next, she simply needs to ensure she brings ‘it’. Because, on the basis of her name alone, she’s always received top billing at what ever label she calls home. It’s oft her material that’s let her down with the projects that tanked (see: ‘Charmbracelet’, ‘Glitter’, ‘Memoirs’).

It’ll be interesting to see how this one plays out

With Reid guiding her, I have a feeling it's going to be more of the same, if not far worse. If she's going to continue to sing teeny-bopper songs and ignore her core audience, her sales are not going to improve.

I thought Sony bought out Epic Records. When did they become two separate labels?

Epic is, indeed, a subsidiary of Sony.

If Mariah were to ink this deal, it would be no different from returning to the corporation that gave her the big heave-ho in 2001 over the poor reception garnered by the Glitter project.

Identity said:

Epic is, indeed, a subsidiary of Sony.

If Mariah were to ink this deal, it would be no different from returning to the corporation that gave her the big heave-ho in 2001 over the poor reception garnered by the Glitter project.

I believe "Glitter" was on the Virgin Records label. She left Sony after 1999's "Rainbow".

Yes, and I got that wrong. And Virgin, of course, is under EMI.

Mariah tripping if she thinks going to Epic would "help" her career considering WHO'S running it lol

I wish she would rekindle ties with former collaborator Walter Afanasieff. Their pairing sometimes resulted in nondescript ballads, but I'd vastly prefer that to her foray into the world of hip-hop, and its increasingly shrinking payoffs.

Timmy84 said:

Mariah tripping if she thinks going to Epic would "help" her career considering WHO'S running it lol

Exactly. Plus, labels dont save carers..the artists do. These switchovers mean nothing if the producers you hire arent worth talking to and if her own decisions were bad picks. SHE chooses her musical destiny...the lables basically help guide the artist and promote to the right audience right? Am I correct?

paisleypark4 said:

Timmy84 said:

Mariah tripping if she thinks going to Epic would "help" her career considering WHO'S running it lol

Exactly. Plus, labels dont save carers..the artists do. These switchovers mean nothing if the producers you hire arent worth talking to and if her own decisions were bad picks. SHE chooses her musical destiny...the lables basically help guide the artist and promote to the right audience right? Am I correct?

Yep. You'd think Mariah would know that now. She's not in her mid-20s or mid-30s anymore, she's a 41-year-old woman now, it's a totally different scenario. Plus, like Identity pointed out, how long could she continue to sing the same old funny songs? How does one at 40 continue to use hip-hop as a background? Not even the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul has been able to continue to have success with hip-hop based records anymore.

Mariah should move to RCA and be with everybody else. Britney, C Breezy, R. Kelly, Whitney, Alicia, Prince, Pink, and Usher are all on there. She'll be in good company.

If I were advising her, I would suggest that she enter the realm of independent artists, launch her own label and ink an exclusive multi-album, worldwide distribution deal with a major.

musicjunky318 said:

Mariah should move to RCA and be with everybody else. Britney, C Breezy, R. Kelly, Whitney, Alicia, Prince, Pink, and Usher are all on there. She'll be in good company.

Epic, Jive, RCA, etc are all the same. The imprint is the only difference.

I wish her luck with this project. I just don't want to another plastic sounding album from a modern day producer. If she was smart, she would look at her catalog and see what songs have sustained the test of time and maybe return to a familiar sound and songwriting style.

Her lyrics on her last album were so juvenile that it was embarrassing.

Identity said:

I wish she would rekindle ties with former collaborator Walter Afanasieff. Their pairing sometimes resulted in nondescript ballads, but I'd vastly prefer that to her foray into the world of hip-hop, and its increasingly shrinking payoffs.

Exactly and he was the person that no one ever mentions in terms of making her stuff great in the early days. It was a great combo, but im sure Mariah still feels thats "Tommy's Boy" so it wont happen.

HAPPYPERSON said:

Saying that, any one who knows Industry 101, would know it isn’t simply a case of clicking fingers and switching labels. Indeed, it’s common knowledge ol’ Mimi owed one more original album to Island. Hence, for any such Epic move to occur, LA and his new team would essentially have to “buy-out” the remainder of Mariah’s contract (which, despite her lack of success in recent memory, would be quite costly).

Mariah can put out that shelved Remix projected or a Greatest Hits with a new/throwaway song and called it a day at IDJ

[Edited 10/20/11 16:54pm]

musicjunky318 said:

Mariah should move to RCA and be with everybody else. Britney, C Breezy, R. Kelly, Whitney, Alicia, Prince, Pink, and Usher are all on there. She'll be in good company.

still under Sony just like Epic, Columbia.

Identity said:

Epic is, indeed, a subsidiary of Sony.

If Mariah were to ink this deal, it would be no different from returning to the corporation that gave her the big heave-ho in 2001 over the poor reception garnered by the Glitter project.

Ok, thanks.

Timmy84 said:

paisleypark4 said:

Exactly. Plus, labels dont save carers..the artists do. These switchovers mean nothing if the producers you hire arent worth talking to and if her own decisions were bad picks. SHE chooses her musical destiny...the lables basically help guide the artist and promote to the right audience right? Am I correct?

Yep. You'd think Mariah would know that now. She's not in her mid-20s or mid-30s anymore, she's a 41-year-old woman now, it's a totally different scenario. Plus, like Identity pointed out, how long could she continue to sing the same old funny songs? How does one at 40 continue to use hip-hop as a background? Not even the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul has been able to continue to have success with hip-hop based records anymore.

Are you talking about Mary J. Blige? I think she was too predictable from her music to her image.

getxxxx said:

HAPPYPERSON said:

Saying that, any one who knows Industry 101, would know it isn’t simply a case of clicking fingers and switching labels. Indeed, it’s common knowledge ol’ Mimi owed one more original album to Island. Hence, for any such Epic move to occur, LA and his new team would essentially have to “buy-out” the remainder of Mariah’s contract (which, despite her lack of success in recent memory, would be quite costly).

Mariah can put out that shelved Remix projected or a Greatest Hits with a new/throwaway song and called it a day at IDJ

[Edited 10/20/11 16:54pm]

as far as i remember when she signed with Island and Charmbracelet was the first record, it was a 3 album __million dollar deal, which would have ended 2 albums ago, i dont recall her re-signing for a big deal? maybe i missed it, but i dont see her having much issue getting out of the deal at this point, i mean she is not going to repeat what MIMI did for her, regardless of coming back from having kids etc...and how they spin that shit into HYPE for a record, i would think Def Jam would want a sure sell, maybe a remix/best of for their stuff and some unreleased stuff, and maybe a video collection with them.

Those albums still all had hit singles on it, i wouldn't quite call it a bomb. Mariah has like... how many top 40's? 18 number 1 songs alot of numbee 1 albums.

Shit she could rest her carear on that.

There is a lot of older artists trying to appeal to the younger crowd, trying to get hits again. Madonna is coming out with her new album, and will probably have a decent single on it.. and sell decent but nothing special like hard candy. Mariah is trying to come back, hoping for this big 3rd or 4th reinvintion of her carear.

Another doing this is R. Kelly, Love Letetr was fantastic, he should stick to those albums, not care abotu club hits. Untitles was a piece of shit from his piss stained toilet. He like Madonna & Mariah has had a TON of hits, why not give it a rest?

These 3 i bring up because

1. There getting older & older

2. Mariah & Madonnas last albums sucked! Kelly did good with love story but that piece of shit, degrading stupid ass untitled record came before that & bombed.

3. They will porbbaly have good debuts then fall sharply after that for all 3 of them

Gunsnhalen said:

There is a lot of older artists trying to appeal to the younger crowd, trying to get hits again. Madonna is coming out with her new album, and will probably have a decent single on it.. and sell decent but nothing special like hard candy. Mariah is trying to come back, hoping for this big 3rd or 4th reinvintion of her carear.

Another doing this is R. Kelly, Love Letetr was fantastic, he should stick to those albums, not care abotu club hits. Untitles was a piece of shit from his piss stained toilet. He like Madonna & Mariah has had a TON of hits, why not give it a rest?

These 3 i bring up because

1. There getting older & older

2. Mariah & Madonnas last albums sucked! Kelly did good with love story but that piece of shit, degrading stupid ass untitled record came before that & bombed.

3. They will porbbaly have good debuts then fall sharply after that for all 3 of them

Please don't anger the Madge fans around here.

I actually liked "Hard Candy." I thought it had some great songs, but this will turn into a big fight around here.

I think artists like Madonna, Janet, Mariah, etc. know they have their base and they will sell a certain number of records. The key is finding the right song to release to the masses. The problem with radio (I know some of u don't listen to it...so I'm not speaking of you) is that they tend to only let an artist have a good one or 2 albums, then they like to throw them away. In today's world of digital entertainment, it's all about the "next big thing." It's like the industry has no respect for veterans.

Even with their "modern day" acts get no respect. After a few hits, they are done. Gaga, Ne-Yo, Black Eyed Peas, etc are good examples. I think all of them are talented, but programmers have pushed them to the side for the "next big thing."

In the 80s, pop radio was still friendly to older acts. It was nothing to see Aretha Franklin, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, Roy Orbison, The Beach Boys, The Pointer Sisters, Cher, and others topping the charts and getting spins on pop radio. Today's program directors have no respect for an artist that's been around for 20 or so years.

[Edited 10/20/11 20:11pm]

^ I agree with that.

Timmy84 said:

^ I agree with that.

Timmy you just hate me today huh? i tried to take you on a fucking KFC date and i get this? i mean i gace up all those latino & asian boys for you. And even bought Marvin gaye bootleg not even knows he did! and this is how you repay me

I AM DONE

daPrettyman said:

Gunsnhalen said:

In the 80s, pop radio was still friendly to older acts. It was nothing to see Aretha Franklin, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, Roy Orbison, The Beach Boys, The Pointer Sisters, Cher, and others topping the charts and getting spins on pop radio. Today's program directors have no respect for an artist that's been around for 20 or so years.

[Edited 10/20/11 20:11pm]

I was just having this discussion with someone the other day. In the 80's, and even during a better part of the 90's, veteren acts were topping the charts and being played on the radio right along side the newer artists. There was not a lot of ageism going on in the industry back then. Now, veteren artists don't have much of a chance getting their music exposed to the masses.

kitbradley said:

daPrettyman said:

[Edited 10/20/11 20:11pm]

I was just having this discussion with someone the other day. In the 80's, and even during a better part of the 90's, veteren acts were topping the charts and being played on the radio right along side the newer artists. There was not a lot of ageism going on in the industry back then. Now, veteren artists don't have much of a chance getting their music exposed to the masses.

And the veterans were better live entertainers, too. Also when for an example Sade came out with an new album last year, it got little exposure, but she toured this year.

daPrettyman said:

Gunsnhalen said:

There is a lot of older artists trying to appeal to the younger crowd, trying to get hits again. Madonna is coming out with her new album, and will probably have a decent single on it.. and sell decent but nothing special like hard candy. Mariah is trying to come back, hoping for this big 3rd or 4th reinvintion of her carear.

Another doing this is R. Kelly, Love Letetr was fantastic, he should stick to those albums, not care abotu club hits. Untitles was a piece of shit from his piss stained toilet. He like Madonna & Mariah has had a TON of hits, why not give it a rest?

These 3 i bring up because

1. There getting older & older

2. Mariah & Madonnas last albums sucked! Kelly did good with love story but that piece of shit, degrading stupid ass untitled record came before that & bombed.

3. They will porbbaly have good debuts then fall sharply after that for all 3 of them

Please don't anger the Madge fans around here.

I actually liked "Hard Candy." I thought it had some great songs, but this will turn into a big fight around here.

I think artists like Madonna, Janet, Mariah, etc. know they have their base and they will sell a certain number of records. The key is finding the right song to release to the masses. The problem with radio (I know some of u don't listen to it...so I'm not speaking of you) is that they tend to only let an artist have a good one or 2 albums, then they like to throw them away. In today's world of digital entertainment, it's all about the "next big thing." It's like the industry has no respect for veterans.

Even with their "modern day" acts get no respect. After a few hits, they are done. Gaga, Ne-Yo, Black Eyed Peas, etc are good examples. I think all of them are talented, but programmers have pushed them to the side for the "next big thing."

In the 80s, pop radio was still friendly to older acts. It was nothing to see Aretha Franklin, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, Roy Orbison, The Beach Boys, The Pointer Sisters, Cher, and others topping the charts and getting spins on pop radio. Today's program directors have no respect for an artist that's been around for 20 or so years.

[Edited 10/20/11 20:11pm]

Freakin ageism!

Musicslave said:

daPrettyman said:

Please don't anger the Madge fans around here.

I actually liked "Hard Candy." I thought it had some great songs, but this will turn into a big fight around here.

I think artists like Madonna, Janet, Mariah, etc. know they have their base and they will sell a certain number of records. The key is finding the right song to release to the masses. The problem with radio (I know some of u don't listen to it...so I'm not speaking of you) is that they tend to only let an artist have a good one or 2 albums, then they like to throw them away. In today's world of digital entertainment, it's all about the "next big thing." It's like the industry has no respect for veterans.

Even with their "modern day" acts get no respect. After a few hits, they are done. Gaga, Ne-Yo, Black Eyed Peas, etc are good examples. I think all of them are talented, but programmers have pushed them to the side for the "next big thing."

In the 80s, pop radio was still friendly to older acts. It was nothing to see Aretha Franklin, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, Roy Orbison, The Beach Boys, The Pointer Sisters, Cher, and others topping the charts and getting spins on pop radio. Today's program directors have no respect for an artist that's been around for 20 or so years.

[Edited 10/20/11 20:11pm]

Freakin ageism!

The crazy thing is, these "older" acts try to do damn-near anything to appeal to the "kids." Wearing mohawks, faux hawks and anything esle to appeal to them.

daPrettyman said:

Musicslave said:

Freakin ageism!

The crazy thing is, these "older" acts try to do damn-near anything to appeal to the "kids." Wearing mohawks, faux hawks and anything esle to appeal to them.

This is why I think The Original 7ven joint could really have legs and serve them well. They're not selling out for the youth vote . Instead it appears that they're simply doing what they do best, Keep it cool and funky

daPrettyman said:

Musicslave said:

Freakin ageism!

The crazy thing is, these "older" acts try to do damn-near anything to appeal to the "kids." Wearing mohawks, faux hawks and anything esle to appeal to them.

and going poppier