The following information has been gathered by Mariah Daily from various news reports regarding Mariah's projects during 2004 including the preparation for the studio album "The Emancipation of Mimi" (which was untitled at the time.) It should be noted that this page followed the project as it was being put together and thus may include information that was eventually changed or was never confirmed altogether.

New Studio Album

Mariah began working on her new album when she kicked off the 2003 Charmbracelet World Tour. Mariah told E! Online on June 16, 2003, "[My writing partner] Lionel Cole is going to be [on tour] with me. So, we're going to knock out some songs while we're on the road. It should be fun." Lionel confirmed he and Mariah had been writing in November 2003, and said they had already gathered new material and were planning some future concepts. Once the tour was over, Mariah continued writing and working in Anguilla, Puerto Rico, Los Angeles, and New York. In a voice message left on her site dated March 11, Mariah said, "I'm working on my record, which is not called Lollypop. It doesn't have a title yet, but I'm really excited about the music. I'm about to go into the studio in a minute and get to work. I can't wait for you to hear the new stuff when it's done." About the Album Producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis -- From Flyte Tyme (January 13): Jam & Lewis, and the Flyte Tyme crew are at Flyte Tyme West at the Village Studio in Los Angeles, writing and recording tracks with Mariah for her upcoming album. Matt Marrin is engineering. -- From Flyte Tyme (April 16): Upcoming Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis projects include Mariah Carey's new album, to be released later this year. -- From Mariah Daily (April 18): Jimmy Jam gave a session on popular music and its place in schools' music programs at a Music Educator's Conference in Minneapolis. After the talk, a Mariah fan got his autograph and asked him if he was working with Mariah yet on her new album. He laughed and said, "Actually, Mariah is in Anguilla right now, near the Bahamas, recording some stuff for her new album. I'm supposed to be there, but I had to be here, so one of our partners is working with her at the moment until we can get there." Previous Mariah Collaborations: "Can't Take That Away", "Bliss", "Against All Odds", "Petals", "Thank God I Found You", "Didn't Mean To Turn You On", "Reflections", "Want You", "Never Too Far", "Twister", "Through The Rain", "Yours" Hit List: Janet Jackson, "All For You" Mary J. Blige, "No More Drama" Usher, "U Remind Me" Mya, "Free" Boyz II Men, "On Bended Knee" Randy Jackson -- From BET Online (February 5): We just started working on a new record and I think you're gonna see a lot of different stuff from her. We're gonna pull out all the stops and try some different things. You gonna see her return to what she was doing years ago with the "Vision of Love" period. She's already got a couple of hot joints already but we're gonna take our time and make it right. -- From Barry Danielian (April 7): Last month we reported that Mariah was working with Randy Jackson. The news has been confirmed by Barry Danielian who recorded a song with Mariah produced by Randy. There is a picture of Mariah with Barry and Carl Fischer (Trumpeters), Ozzie Melendez (Trombonist), John Scarpulla (Saxophonist) and Randy. -- From Extra (June 5): And for the new album, Mariah spent time on the island of Anguilla writing music that producer Randy Jackson says is pure heat. “It’s a very different record. It’s just more growth from her. There are some amazing vocals. She’s singing her face off on this record.” -- From Mariah Daily (June 8): Trumpter Barry Danielian, who recorded a song produced by Randy Jackson for Mariah's upcoming album, was interviewed for El Sancarlista, the most important school newspaper in Colombia. He mentioned Mariah in the following questions: El Sancarlista: You hadn’t work with Ms.Carey, but did you previously worked with Randy? What’s it like working with the best selling female artist in history? Barry Danielian: I hadn’t worked with her or Randy. Although, I’m a fan of both of them. Mariah was great. She was very easy to work with. She came up with great horn parts. The whole session was a lot of fun. I don’t get impressed by celebrity status. What impresses me is great musicianship and that she has. El Sancarlista: How were those sessions? Mariah comes with the lyrics and you guys start working on melodies or is it simultaneous? Or does she come with an idea of how she wants it to sound and you work based on that? How free are you normally to change stuff and add things when working with people of this stature? Barry Danielian: She had specific ideas in mind. They were actually building the track around the horn part. My job was to take the ideas she came up with and make it work for the horn section. When you work with great musicians, it's all pretty easy going. El Sancarlista: How long did you work with Randy and her? How many songs did you work on? Tell us a little about the sound, the instruments used, the production elements used and how you were able to add your own style to the final result? And finally, were Mariah and Randy happy with the result? Barry Danielian: We did an afternoon. One song. Randy and Mariah were very happy! Previous Mariah Collaborations: "I Only Wanted", "My Saving Grace", "Bringin' On The Heartbreak" Kanye West -- From Mariah Daily (May 1): Producer and rapper Kanye West made an appearance on MTV’s Direct Effect yesterday. When asked about any upcoming projects, Kanye listed Mariah’s new album among them. -- From Mariah Daily (May 7): Kanye West recently made an appearance on the MuchMusic program MuchOnDemand. Kanye, who is working with Mariah on her upcoming album, mentioned her in the interview. "I showed her how to do gang signs and gang handshakes and stuff," he said. When asked by the show's host, "How was she at that? Was she good at it?", Kanye replied, "Yeah. She got it down." -- From BET Online (May 22): Kanye West is blazing up everybody’s tracks nowadays and now he plans to bring Mariah Carey back to the people by using his patented production magic. Well, the return of Mariah is supposed to hit like a meteor of epic proportions. First, she is now under the management wing of Benny Medina, who has worked with Jennifer Lopez. She also finished a 60-city tour and has been writing songs in Anguilla. Lastly, the singer hopes to get back into acting, but after the reviews of “Glitter,” the verdict is still out on that. -- From The Voice (June 1): Kanye West insisted he would still produce hits for others like Brandy, Alicia, Ludacris and Common, but that his newest project is Mariah’s next outing. Can you imagine it? Her vocals and his beats? It’s over! Kanye says the biggest misconception about him is that he’s arrogant – he says he just knows he’s good. Amen. -- From MTV News (June 6): Finally, Mariah Carey has been hollering at the Chi-Town native about rustling some beats from him for her next album. Hit List: Brandy, "Talk About Our Love" Janet Jackson, "I Want You" Alicia Keys, "You Don't Know My Name" Ludacris, "Stand Up" Jay-Z, "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" Scott Storch -- From Business Wire Press Release (June 7): She is currently working on her new album, a highly anticipated release under Island/Def Jam and MonarC, her own imprint, for later this year. A-list hit-makers and producers, including Kanye West, James Poyser, Swizz Beats, Scott Storch and R. Kelly, are contributing to this effort. Hit List: Janet Jackson, "Island Life" Beyonce, "Baby Boy" Christina Aguilera, "Fighter" Pink, "Family Portrait" The Roots, "Pussy Galore" James Poyser -- From Business Wire (June 7): She is currently working on her new album, a highly anticipated release under Island/Def Jam and MonarC, her own imprint, for later this year. A-list hit-makers and producers, including Kanye West, James Poyser, Swizz Beats, Scott Storch and R. Kelly, are contributing to this effort. Hit List: Erykah Badu, "Danger" Jill Scott, "Try" Common, "Come Close" The Roots, "Double Trouble" R. Kelly -- From Extra (May 19): Benny Medina has brought in some huge names to work with Carey on her new album, like R. Kelly and rap superstar Kayne West. The first single from the album is due out in the fall. Hit List: Britney Spears, "Outrageous" Celine Dion, "I'm Your Angel" Toni Braxton, "I Don't Want To" Michael Jackson, "You Are Not Alone" Aaliyah, "At Your Best (You Are Love)" Lofey & Ali Dee -- From Mix Online (June 3): Co-producer Lofey and crew are currently at work on Mariah Carey's forthcoming album at New York's EastSide Sound, which has re-opened its new facility after spending 32 years at its old locale — only a few blocks away. The new studio can be found at 150 Forsyth St., New York, NY 10002. Pictured: Co-producer Lofey, assistant engineer Stephen Joseph, Mariah Carey, co-producer Ali Dee, studio co-owner Fran Cathcart and engineer/music supervisor Randy Jackson. Hit List: Joe Budden, "10 Minutes" Nas, "My Country" Foxy Brown, "730" Beanie Sigel, "Remember Them Days" Mario Winans -- From Mariah Daily (June 5): Mario "Yellow Man" Winans of Bad Boy Entertainment announced live on BBC's Radio 1 earlier this evening that he is producing music with Mariah for her new album. He didn't elaborate with details, however. Hit List: Beyonce, "Summertime" Mary J. Blige, "Love At First Sight" 112, "Peaches and Cream" Faith Evans, "You Gets No Love" Jennifer Lopez, "Walking On Sunshine" Swizz Beatz -- From Universal Music Publishing Group (March 11): Swizz Beatz has songs on upcoming albums by Angie Stone, Eve, Jadakiss, Fat Joe, Nas, Method Man, Mos Def, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Drag-On, R. Kelly, Mariah Carey, Ja Rule, Bow Wow, Busta Rhymes, and MaShonda. Swizz Beatz has also signed a three year deal with Nike to co-write/produce music for 28 Nike commercials. Previous Mariah Collaborations: "Things That You Do" Hit List: Mary J. Blige, "Where I've Been" Jay-Z, "Girl's Best Friend" Mya, "The Best Of Me" Eve, "Love Is Blind" Brandy, "U Don't Know Me" Scram Jones -- From Mariah Daily (May 28): Scram Jones’s involvement on Mariah’s upcoming album is no rumor. Scram, who personally confirmed to MariahDaily.com that he is producing for Mariah, probably hasn’t done anything you’ve heard yet, but is working on upcoming albums from Lloyd Banks, Freeway, Fat Joe, and of course, Mariah. -- From Mariah Daily (May 30): Several days ago, we reported that Mariah would be working with underground producer Scram Jones for her new album. Today we received additional information about his involvement. “I just did one track with her,” he said. “I wish I was rapping on her record but I’m just producing. S*** is on fire though. The song is melodic with hard hip hop drums.” Scram also said, “You can see how I met Mariah on N.O.R.E.’s ‘Whatup 2da Hood’ street DVD.” Hit List: FCM, "Bang Bang" Lil Kim, "Get In Touch With Us" Mahogany -- From Mariah Daily (June 5): Mariah is working with yet another producer for her new album. This time around it's Mahogany. Hit List: Jay-Z, "It's Alright" Jadakiss, "Keep Ya Head Up" AZ, "Let's Toast" Dr. Dre, "Bad Intentions" Damizza -- From Mariah Daily (February 15): In a recent interview with Bayridaz Entertainment, producer Damion “Damizza” Young mentions Mariah numerous times. Of major note, he says, “I’m working on something new with Mariah. We’ve talked about a couple of things. She asked me for two or three beats, and she gets in town tonight. We just performed with her two or three weeks ago and she was like 'We gotta do another record.'" Previous Mariah Collaborations: "I Still Believe/Pure Imagination", "Crybaby", "If We", "Irresistible", "What What You Do" Hit List: Nate Dogg, "Music and Me" Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, "Thug Music Play On" Ja Rule, "It's Your Life" Shade Sheist, "Informal Introduction" 9th Wonder -- From Mariah Daily (May 28): According to Planet Sound, a British teletext channel, 9th Wonder is rumored to be working with Mariah on her new album. He has previously produced for Nas and Jay-Z; although his dealings with Mariah cannot be confirmed as of yet. Hit List: Jay-Z, "Threat" Nas, "God's Stepson" Murs, "3:16" Little Brother, "Whatever You Say" The Prince and the Showgirl This Is London: Mariah Carey has chosen to make her theatrical debut on the West End stage recreating a role made famous by Marilyn Monroe on the big screen. Ms Carey, a singer with a tremendous voice, will star in Terence Rattigan's play, The Sleeping Prince, which as a 1957 movie vehicle for Ms Monroe and Laurence Olivier was known as The Prince And The Showgirl. The singer will begin rehearsals in January and take the stage at, possibly, the Lyric Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue in late February or early March. Ms Carey's managers in New York and Los Angeles insist she is serious about wanting to act. She has been having lessons in voice projection, diction and in how to walk on and off stage with grace and elegance. The whole package. She's desperate to be part of a theatre company and wants to be treated as a thespian, not a star. She will leave her diva at the stage door because it is her dream - indeed, she believes, her destiny - to play the role of Elsie the showgirl on the London stage. The play is about an American showgirl appearing in London while a European Prince is visiting the city. Representatives of the Rattigan estate confirmed the plan to bring the play to the West End. There's a song in it that Ms Carey will perform during what is hoped to be an 18-week run. The Sleeping Prince's producer, Bill Kenwright, was not available for comment as he was preparing to travel to New York for the opening on Sunday of his sell-out production of Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. -- From Extra: These days, Mariah is recording a new album and an acting gig will have her in London early next year. “London, I’m totally excited about.” Yes, Mariah will be taking the stage in Great Britain, bringing the 1957 Marilyn Monroe classic, “The Prince and the Showgirl” to life. “I don’t want to jinx it. I don’t want to talk about it because I want to get everything straight and together first.” MonarC Records Mariah established MonarC Entertainment as a part of her deal with Universal Music Group. The venture was overseen by executive Jerry Blair. Currently, MonarC is focusing on music releases, but will later broaden its horizons, signing new acts, as well as veering into film/television production, e-business and even publishing. -- From Entertainment Weekly: Part of Mariah Carey's new record deal also includes her own record imprint, which will be called MonarC, according to published reports. The name comes from Carey's well-documented fascination with butterflies, but the name ''Monarch'' already belongs to a jazz label. The creative capitalization emphasizes Carey's initials. -- From R&R Magazine: Mariah Carey says she has a lot of plans for MonarC. "I tried to give the label a broad spectrum, in terms of the imaging and imprint, so artists wouldn't feel that it was too closely associated with me or had to be only the musical genres that I've worked in. We're really open. Jerry Blair has been scouting a lot of different talent, and I have an artist I'm really excited about, a teen girl who's really great. We've already begun recording with her, and there are a whole lot of other things on the agenda." About the MonarC Music Artists Trey Lorenz After appearing as a guest vocalist on Mariah’s #1 remake of the Jackson 5’s “I’ll Be There,” Trey Lorenz released his self-titled debut album in 1992 on Epic Records. The album’s lead single, “Someone To Hold” was a Top 20 hit on the pop and adult contemporary charts and Top 5 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks. He continued his success with the singles “Photograph Of Mary,” a Top 10 dance staple, and “Just To Be Close To You.” For the years following, Trey contributed to several soundtracks including 1995’s Money Train and 1997’s Men In Black. As he gears up for his new album release, except soulful sounds reminiscent of Al Green. Belle & Nae Nae Belle & Nae Nae is a two-girl group consisting of Belle, a 14-year-old singer from New York, and Nae Nae, a 15-year-old rapper from Oakland. Created by Mariah and Da Brat, Belle & Nae Nae essentially are miniature versions of Mariah and Da Brat themselves. Belle & Nae Nae made their official debut performance at The New Star Showcase, an event presented at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City by Seventeen Magazine and Entertainment Tonight. The duo gained more live experience when they served as the opening act to the Asian leg of Mariah’s 2003 Charmbracelet World Tour. They also joined Mariah during her extended tour dates in America. Sadie McIntosh Dubbed as the modern day Shirley Temple, Sadie McIntosh a.k.a. Dat Baby is a 7-year-old personality-plus protégé destined for fame. As the child of two choreographers, entertainment runs in Sadie’s blood – and this child does it all, from singing and rapping to dancing and acting. She is the chosen performer of a song titled “Automatic Princess,” which will serve as the theme to an upcoming Nickelodeon cartoon series of the same name. “Automatic Princess,” which was a nick-name given to both Sadie and her mother (Rachel McIntosh) by Mariah herself, will also eventually be turned into a brand that will produce a book and a jewelry and accessories line.

Automatic Princess

-- From New York Daily News: Call her Mariah the mogul. Mariah Carey is scripting plans for an entertainment and fashion business targeting the lucrative pre-teen girls market, show biz sources said. The diva and her business partner, ex-Columbia and Arista senior exec Jerry Blair, have dreamed up a brand called Automatic Princess that they're trying to turn into a cartoon series, book, and jewelry and accessories line. They're in talks with the creators of the hit Nickelodeon animated series, "As Told By Ginger." There will also be an Automatic Princess record, to be released in the fall by a 7-year-old artist named Sadie Dat Baby, who is signed to Carey's record label MonarC. Carey, who had suffered a breakdown and is now crafting a comeback, is aiming to create a character "with a positive image," a source said. "It's going to be about how to act and what to wear," the source said. -- From Extra: (June 5) Look for not one, but two, new exciting new adventures from Mariah Incorporated: a clothes line and series of books. Mariah says, "It’s called Automatic Princess. There’s a whole concept behind it. There’s a deeper message that’s behind it, but we’ll talk about that later." -- From Business Wire Press Release (June 7): On the heels of receiving critical acclaim for her performance in WISEGIRLS, Carey is looking forward to pursuing additional acting opportunities. She is also working on an illustrated children's book that tells a meaningful story about a biracial orphan girl. -- From MTV News (June 9): Having shelved the idea of writing a memoir, Mariah Carey is pulling a Madonna and wants to do children's books instead. Carey originally planned to write a book focusing on her childhood and growing up biracial, but she took her memoir proposal off the market after discussing a deal with HarperCollins in the fall. Now she hopes to fictionalize her tale and tell it via a series of illustrated children's books, which would carry the title "Automatic Princess" — the same name she uses for her fashion and accessories line. The book series would focus on a biracial orphan girl who goes on a journey of "self-discovery, navigating difficulties and misunderstandings, making the world a better place," a source close to the singer said. There's no proposal for the children's book series in writing just yet, as the project is in the beginning stages. Carey is also focusing on finishing her next album. She's currently collaborating with Kanye West, R. Kelly, Scott Storch, Swizz Beatz and James Poyser for the LP, according to her agent at Creative Artists Agency. The project is expected to be released on her own imprint, MonarC, via Island/ Def Jam later this year. The singer is trying to schedule her next acting gig as well. She plans to join a London West End production of "The Sleeping Prince," a stage adaptation of the 1957 Marilyn Monroe film "The Prince and the Showgirl." Carey will play the part of the showgirl Mary, and might sing a song in that role.