All some people want for Christmas is Mariah Carey — and one lucky lamb might receive the gift of a lifetime this holiday season.
On Tuesday, November 11, New York-based music archive journal Wax Poetics announced that a rare demo tape by Carey is up for auction. Wax Poetics claims this tape is its “most historic archival release to date” and will be available for bidding next month.
The tape is said to have been recorded around 1988, two years before Carey released her self-titled debut album. These seven demos were written and produced with Brenda K. Starr, for who Carey sang background vocals in the early stages of her career. The recordings were pulled from the archives of legendary producer Arthur Baker.
Decades ago, Carey handed the tape — which featured covers and raw, self-written original songs — to Baker at a Christmas party.
“I stick the cassette in and the first three songs are all hits and I’m thinking holy s**t it’s Madonna meets Whitney,” said Baker in a statement. “She writes like Madonna sounds like Whitney. This is it, I’ve discovered gold.”
The tape has long been coveted by core Carey fans, and soon, one lucky bidder may finally hear these early demos.
“This tape is one of the most sought after items we have come across,” said Alex Bruh, co-owner and CEO of Wax Poetics, in a statement. “It captures the exact moment an era-defining artist was emerging, before the world knew her name. Our mission has always been to preserve and grow music culture with care, context, and respect. This release honors one of the greatest singers and songwriters of our time by preserving a rare piece of her story.”
Bidding for the demo tape will take place from December 2 and end on December 11. Fans can register to bid on the tape via Wax Poetics.
