Mariah Carey continues to prove that her musical influence spans generations — and formats. This week, the global superstar made headlines on two very different fronts: an ultra-rare demo tape from her pre-fame years sold for a staggering $54,050 at auction, while her holiday anthem “All I Want for Christmas Is You” climbed back to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, extending its own historic legacy.
Mariah Carey’s 1988 Demo Tape Sets Record at Auction
EntertainmentNowWax Poetics confirmed on Dec. 11 that an exceptionally rare Carey demo cassette from 1988 sold for $54,050, officially becoming the highest-selling cassette by a female artist ever auctioned. The tape was sourced from producer Arthur Baker’s personal archive and offered in partnership with singer Brenda K. Starr.
According to the press release, the cassette holds major significance in pop history. Baker received the demo on the same night Carey was famously discovered at a 1989 Christmas party, where Starr introduced her to Tommy Mottola — a moment that ultimately launched Carey’s career.
Revered by collectors as a “holy grail,” the tape includes seven early recordings, five of which later evolved into songs on Carey’s self-titled 1990 debut album, which produced four No. 1 singles. Two additional tracks had never been officially released and were long mythologized among fans.
“This tape is history — a real one-of-a-kind piece that has been long sought-after by Mariah fans,” Wax Poetics CEO Alex Bruh said in a statement. “It captures the exact moment a generational voice was taking shape and stands as a testament to her self-made beginnings.”
Produced alongside Ben Margulies and Chris Toland, the recordings showcase Carey before she signed with Columbia Records. “The songs were more primitive in demo form,” Toland recalled, “but all the elements that led to the final record are there — the hooks, the background vocals, the kicks, the chords. Mariah already had it.”
The winning lot included the original cassette, a certificate of authenticity, and extensive archival documentation verified by the Wax Poetics archive team.
‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ Breaks Another Billboard Record
As Carey’s early work made auction history, her most famous song continued its dominance. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” jumped four spots to reclaim No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking a record-tying 19th total week atop the chart.
The song now matches the longest reign in Hot 100 history, tying Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” and Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road,” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus. It also marks Carey’s seventh holiday season ruling the chart, a record-extending feat.
Originally released in 1994 on the album “Merry Christmas,” the song didn’t hit the top 10 until streaming boosted holiday music consumption in 2017. Since then, it has returned to No. 1 every holiday season from 2019 through 2025.
“When I wrote it, I had absolutely no idea the impact the song would eventually have worldwide,” Carey told Billboard in 2021. “I’m so full of gratitude that so many people enjoy it with me every year.”
The song became Carey’s 19th Hot 100 No. 1, giving her the most chart-toppers among solo artists and making her the first artist to reach No. 1 in four different decades.
