Mariah Carey Releases Ms. Lauryn Hill Collaboration “Save the Day”

It’s a new Day for Mariah Carey, and she’s getting an assist from a fellow star.

The 50-year-old half-Venezuelan American singer has joined voices with Ms. Lauryn Hill on the new track “Save the Day.”

Mariah Carey

It’s the first release from Carey’s double-disc archival deep dive The Rarities (out October 2), which will be released shortly after the launch of her memoir The Meaning of Mariah Carey (out September 29).

With heartfelt, affecting vocals delivering a timely message (“We’re in this together”; “it’s curious, the fear still holding us down”), a few classic Mimi high notes and a sick beat drop courtesy Jermaine Dupri that accompanies the entrance of Hill’s voice (sampled from the FugeesGrammy-winning “Killing Me Softly With His Song“), “Save the Day” is everything Carey’s fans love.

On a Zoom listening party with fans, journalists and friends just hours ahead of the song’s release, Carey said she’s always been a fan of Roberta Flack‘s original recording of the song and that the Fugees’ version was her “go-to record” back in the ’90s while on tour.

“I love Lauryn, I think she’s an incredible artist,” Carey said. “I was happy that Lauryn wanted to do this moment with me…. I only wanted to do it with her approval and excitement.”