Mariah Carey has officially returned to the spotlight with her fierce new single “Type Dangerous”, marking her first original solo release since 2019. The track is a bold reintroduction to the pop-R&B icon’s evolving sound, fusing old-school hip-hop with sultry vocals and unapologetic attitude.

Co-produced by Carey alongside N.W.I. and Daniel Moore, “Type Dangerous” samples Eric B. & Rakim’s 1987 hit “Eric B. Is President”. The sample isn’t just nostalgic flair, it grounds the song in swagger, as Carey delivers confident, seductive lines over a punchy, percussion-heavy beat.

“This one’s for the Lambs,” Carey shared in a press statement. “I’ve been locked up in the studio for quite some time working my behind off on new music, and I’m thrilled for the unveiling of it to my fans, starting with ‘Type Dangerous’!”

Ahead of the release, Carey teased the song on social media, posting a cryptic clip of herself in a luxury car listening to a file labeled T:D_MC16.mp3. The car’s license plate — MC16 — didn’t go unnoticed by fans, who quickly speculated that the diva’s 16th studio album could be on the way. While no official announcement has been made, the hints are strong that “Type Dangerous” is the first taste of a new era.

The single follows her 2019 standalone track “In the Mix”, written for the ABC sitcom Mixed-ish, and is her first major solo effort since her 2018 album “Caution”, which peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200. In the years since, Carey has stayed busy with collaborations (including Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson, and Jam & Lewis), holiday dominance with “All I Want for Christmas Is You”, and anniversary releases like the more recent 20th celebration of “The Emancipation of Mimi”.

With “Type Dangerous”, Mariah Carey proves she’s not just back, she’s setting the tone for whatever comes next. And if the new track is any indication, her next chapter is going to be anything but safe.

Check it out below!