One artist paved the way for pop superstars like Michael Jackson and continued by Taylor Swift. Both women are awe-inspiring pop sensations, but neither would be where they are today without another pop icon.

On the R&B Money Podcast, legendary recording producer Jermaine Dupri cites Mariah Carey as an innovator in the pop genre, paving the way for artists like Katy Perry and Ariana Grande in the process. Mariah Carey’s wider contributions to the pop genre are rooted in how she helped popularize a sub-genre within pop, called hip-pop.

Katy Perry and Ariana Grande’s biggest hit songs fit within the scope of hip-pop, but none of that success would be possible without Mariah Carey per Dupri’s sentiment. A further analysis suggests evidence that he’s right.

Mariah Carey Created Hip-Pop

What is Hip-Pop, and How Did It Change the Game for Pop Stars Like Ariana Grande and Katy Perry?

Hip-Pop is best described as pop music infused with hip-hop and rap production. Jermaine Dupri recalls working with Mariah Carey for the first time and her requesting to sing over the production beats of “C.R.E.A.M.” by the Wu-Tang Clan. As Dupri was flabbergasted, but Mariah Carey stayed firm in what she wanted. In his interview, Dupri recalls Carey requests the following from him:

You know, I need something like [Xscape’s] “Just Kickin’ It,” but I want it to be pretty, but I want it to have that ghetto s**t that y’all got in “Just Kickin’ It.”

By following Mariah Carey’s lead on their collaboration, it would lead to the Christmas songstress releasing one of the biggest songs of her career, “Always Be My Baby.”

... as hip-hop beats would help Mariah Carey standout at a time when the rap sound was still underground, she’d soon influence future generations of pop musicians.

Mariah Carey’s music would continue to embrace a hip-hop and rap influence throughout her career. This led to collaborations with prominent rappers like Snoop Dogg, Da Brat, Jay-Z, Missy Elliott, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Lauryn Hill, Slick Rick, Cam’Ron, and ODB. Meanwhile, as hip-hop beats would help Mariah Carey standout at a time when the rap sound was still underground, she’d soon influence future generations of pop musicians. Mariah Carey’s can be seen especially throughout the discographies of Katy Perry and Ariana Grande.

Ariana Grande and Katy Perry's Biggest Hits Were Hip-Pop Songs

Mariah Carey Helped Mold a Generation of Pop

Some of Katy Perry’s biggest songs have carried a hip-hop influence, with the biggest being “Dark Horse” featuring Memphis rapper Juicy J. Alternatively, Ariana Grande has collaborated with the likes of 2Chainz, Big Sean, and the late Mac Miller for her own foray into hip-hop. The crux of their success was built from hip-pop records. Mariah Carey being bold enough to experiment with genres back when one of these genres (hip-hop) still had a niche audience, was able to give birth to a new generation of pop led by Katy Perry and Ariana Grande.