Sugar Sweet
| "Sugar Sweet" | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Single by Mariah Carey featuring Shenseea and Kehlani | |||
| from the album Here for It All | |||
| Released | July 25, 2025 | ||
| Studio |
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| Genre | Dancehall | ||
| Length | 3:40 | ||
| Label | Gamma | ||
| Songwriters |
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| Producers |
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| Mariah Carey singles chronology | |||
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| Shenseea singles chronology | |||
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| Kehlani singles chronology | |||
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| Music video | |||
| "Sugar Sweet" on YouTube |
"Sugar Sweet" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey featuring Jamaican singer Shenseea and fellow American singer Kehlani. The song was written alongside Dixson, Donny Flores, Felisha King Harvey of Cherish, Mikhai Wesley Miller, and producer Harv. It was released on July 25, 2025, as the second single from Carey's sixteenth studio album Here for It All, through her own imprint, Mariah, and a media company Gamma, impacting rhythmic contemporary radio the following month.
"Sugar Sweet" is a dancehall song with afrobeats influence, skittering drums and sultry synthesizers. Lyrically, the song talks about pleasing a love interest. It received positive reviews from most music critics, who commended the laid back sound and the overall production of the song. Commercially, the track spent six weeks on the US Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart, peaking at number 17. "Sugar Sweet" was performed live during the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, her The Celebration of Mimi tour and the Amazônia Live concert.
Background and release
[edit]On July 19, 2025, Carey teased her new single "Sugar Sweet" through a video posted on her social media. In the clip, Carey is seen mixing batter at a kitchen counter while mouthing lyrics to the unreleased track. The video, styled as a lighthearted preview for fans, hinted at the song's sweet and playful concept.[2] Earlier in the month, Carey revealed that she had completed her upcoming album Here for It All during a live interview with Zane Lowe and Ebro Darden at the new Apple Music Studios in Los Angeles. During the interview, Carey expressed excitement about "Sugar Sweet", describing it as "very summery" and noting, "I like the beat as well".[3]
Prior to the single's release, Carey appeared in a TikTok video alongside Shenseea and Kehlani, where all three were seen singing along to "Sugar Sweet".[4] The former commented on working with Carey as she declared she as a longtime Carey listener, describing the moment as "full-circle moment", meanwhile the latter expressed excitement over the collaboration as well.[4] The song serves as the second single from her sixteenth studio album Here for It All,[5] being serviced to rhythmic contemporary radio on August 19, 2025.[6] A solo version was included in place of the song on physical editions, and a digital deluxe was also released through Carey's website.[7]
Composition
[edit]"Sugar Sweet" was written by Mariah Carey, Kehlani, Shenseea, Darius Scott Dixson, Donny Flores, Bernard Harvey, Felisha King Harvey and Mikhai Wesley Miller, with production being handled by Carey and Harvey,[8] who is best known for working with American artist Justin Bieber.[9] It is a dancehall-influenced track that features skittering drums, sultry synthesizers, and melodic verses performed by all three vocalists.[10] Chris Malone Méndez of Forbes noted it "calls to mind Carey’s classic mashups of R&B, pop, and hip-hop."[9] Lyrically, it captures the rush of attraction and the certainty of eventual commitment, with lyrics such as: "Hate it when you have to leave / But I don’t say a thing / 'Cause I will absolutely get the ring,"[9] before transitioning into the hook: "I'ma keep it nice, nice, neat, neat, sugar, sugar, sweet, sweet".[10]
Critical reception
[edit]"Sugar Sweet" received generally positive reviews from music critics. Writing for ThisisRnB, the editorial team described the track as "a dreamy, effortless collaboration that feels like summer in slow motion," praising its "airy production, warm tones, and just the right touch of sweetness."[11] Billboard highlighted the collaboration's summery feel and vocal chemistry, while Rolling Stone praised the song’s nostalgic R&B influence and the seamless blend of styles between Carey, Kehlani, and Shenseea.[12][13] Writing for The Arts Desk, Joe Mugg was favorable to Carey's "smooth R&B, modern in production style and ultra slick in musicianship," calling it a "respectable hit" alongside "Type Dangerous".[14] Similarly, Tim Chan of Rolling Stone called them "the most radio-friendly hits on the album."[15]
Reid Sperisen from newspaper Daily Bruin applauded the pairing of the three singers, saying it was "a high point", "as the three artists’ crisp vocals skate over a beat so smooth that it enhances the track’s repetitive chorus," he continued.[16] Describing it as a "laid back, coy confection", Mark Chappelle wrote for Albumism that "disliking this second single’s balmy dancehall afrobeats may indicate a critical flaw in you."[17] Rich Juzwiak, in his Pitchfork analysis, positively described it as a "lovely Caribbean-kissed single."[18] Meanwhile, Andy Steiner of Paste declared the song "has a freshness and ease distinct from the rest of the record, in its buoyant, dancehall application."[19] Ranking it as the third best song on the album, Billboard critic Heran Mamo picked the "sticky hook", the sensuality of Kehlani and Shenseea, and "a dash of dancehall flair" as the elements that make the song "a real treat".[20] In a less favorable review, NME's Puah Ziwei considered to be a "bland dancehall", criticizing it for lacking her usual vocal nuances and clever lyricism.[21]
Live performances
[edit]On September 7, 2025, Carey performed "Sugar Sweet" as part of a medley during her 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, as she also accepted the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.[22] It was also part of the setlist of her fifteenth concert tour The Celebration of Mimi commencing in 2025.[23] On September 17, 2025, the song was also the first on her Amazônia Live set in Amazônia, Brazil.[24]
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia Digital Tracks (ARIA)[25] | 49 |
| Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)[26] | 17 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[27] | 16 |
| Nigeria Bubbling Under Top 100 (TurnTable)[28] | 5 |
| Nigeria Top International Songs (TurnTable)[29] | 25 |
| South Korea BGM (Circle)[30] | 106 |
| Suriname (Nationale Top 40)[31] | 20 |
| UK Singles Sales (OCC)[32] | 41 |
| US Hot R&B Songs (Billboard)[33] | 17 |
| US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard)[34] | 23 |
| US Rhythmic Airplay (Billboard)[35] | 31 |
Release history
[edit]| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | July 25, 2025 | Gamma | [36] | |
| United States | August 19, 2025 | Rhythmic contemporary radio | [6] |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Here for It All (booklet). Mariah Carey. Gamma. 2025.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Iasimone, Ashley (July 19, 2025). "Mariah Carey Teases 'Sugar Sweet' Summer Single". Billboard. United States: Penske Media Corporation. ISSN 0006-2510. OCLC 732913734. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ Mamo, Heran (July 25, 2025). "Mariah Carey Keeps It Nice, Neat, 'Sugar Sweet' on New Single with Shenseea & Kehlani: Stream It Now". Billboard. United States: Penske Media Corporation. ISSN 0006-2510. OCLC 732913734. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ^ a b Blanchet, Brenton (July 25, 2025). "Kehlani Reveals Why New Mariah Carey Collaboration Is a Full-Circle Moment: 'This Is One of My Heroes'". People. Retrieved October 12, 2025.
- ^ Blanchet, Brenton (July 25, 2025). "Kehlani Reveals Why New Mariah Carey Collaboration Is a Full-Circle Moment: 'This Is One of My Heroes'". People. United States: Dotdash Meredith. ISSN 0093-7673. OCLC 794712888. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ^ a b "A Recap of Radio Add Recaps". Hits. August 19, 2025. Archived from the original on August 28, 2025. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
- ^ "Mariah Carey says music video coming for Sugar Sweet featuring Shenseea, Kehlani". Jamaica Observer. October 1, 2025. Retrieved October 12, 2025.
- ^ "Here for It All". Tidal. September 26, 2025. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
- ^ a b c Méndez, Chris Malone (July 25, 2025). "Mariah Carey Shares 'Sugar Sweet' Single With Kehlani And Shenseea". Forbes. Retrieved October 12, 2025.
- ^ a b Blistein, John (June 25, 2025). "Mariah Carey Keeps It Nice and Neat on 'Sugar Sweet' with Shenseea and Kehlani". Rolling Stone. Penske Media Corporation. ISSN 0035-791X. OCLC 969027590. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
- ^ "Mariah Carey Ft. Shenseea & Kehlani Deliver the Right Touch of Sweetness on "Sugar Sweet"". ThisisRnB. July 27, 2025. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
- ^ "Mariah Carey Drops Breezy New Single 'Sugar Sweet' With Kehlani & Shenseea: Listen". Billboard. July 26, 2025. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
- ^ "Mariah Carey Returns With 'Sugar Sweet' Featuring Kehlani, Shenseea". Rolling Stone. July 26, 2025. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
- ^ Muggs, Joe (September 26, 2025). "Mariah Carey is still 'Here for It All' after an eight-year break". The Arts Desk. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
- ^ Chan, Tim (September 24, 2025). "Mariah Carey Is Here for It All (Just Not Any Theatrics) on New Album". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 24, 2025. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
- ^ Sperisen, Reid (September 27, 2025). "Album review: Mariah Carey's 'Here For It All' may not be all we want, but we're still obsessed". Daily Bruin. Retrieved October 12, 2025.
- ^ Chappelle, Mark (September 29, 2025). "Mariah Carey Infuses Her Unshakeable Cool Throughout 'Here For It All'". Albumism. Retrieved October 12, 2025.
- ^ Juzwiak, Rich (September 29, 2025). "Here for It All". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
- ^ Steiner, Andy (October 3, 2025). "Mariah Carey Is Here For It All On First Album In 7 Years". Paste. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
- ^ Mamo, Heran (September 26, 2025). "Mariah Carey's 'Here For It All': All 11 Tracks Ranked". Billboard. Retrieved October 12, 2025.
- ^ Ziwei, Puah (September 29, 2025). "Mariah Carey - 'Here For It All' review: carefree and occasionally brilliant". NME. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
- ^ Shafiq Najib (September 7, 2025). "Mariah Carey stuns at 2025 VMAs with greatest hits and Vanguard Award honor". ABC News. Retrieved November 1, 2025.
- ^ "The Celebration of Mimi: Mariah Carey's four stunning acts". Independent Observer. October 12, 2025. Retrieved November 1, 2025.
- ^ Franco, Hannah (September 17, 2025). "Já acabou? Veja quantas e quais músicas Mariah Carey cantou no Amazônia Live". O Liberal (in Portuguese). Retrieved November 1, 2025.
- ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 4 August 2025". The ARIA Report. No. 1848. Australian Recording Industry Association. August 4, 2025. p. 9.
- ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of August 6, 2025". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved August 7, 2025.
- ^ "Official Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. August 1, 2025. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
- ^ "TurnTable Nigeria Bubbling Under Top 100: August 29th, 2025 - September 4th, 2025". TurnTable. Archived from the original on November 6, 2025. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
- ^ "TurnTable Nigeria Top International Songs: August 29th, 2025 - September 4th, 2025". TurnTable. Archived from the original on November 6, 2025. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
- ^ "BGM Chart – Week 31 of 2025" (in Korean). Circle Chart. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ "Top 40 – 16 tot 23 oktober 2025" [Top 40 – 16 to 23 October 2025] (in Dutch). Nationale Top 40 Suriname. October 17, 2025. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ^ "Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
- ^ "Mariah Carey Chart History (Hot R&B Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ "Mariah Carey Chart History (R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 4, 2025.
- ^ "Mariah Carey Chart History (Rhythmic Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
- ^ "Sugar Sweet (feat. Shenseea and Kehlani) - Single by Mariah Carey". United States: Apple Music. July 25, 2025. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
| Studio albums |
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| Mixtapes |
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| Singles |
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| Featured singles |
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| Promotional singles | "Get Me" |
| Other songs | "B.S." (Remix) |
| Concert tours | |
| Related articles | |
