The Live Debut – 1990

On June 12, 1990, Mariah Carey released her self-titled debut album under Columbia Records.[2][3] Despite the album being a commercial success, which sold more than 15 million copies worldwide and receiving a nine-platinum certification from Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), she did not embark on a tour to promote the album, citing long travel times and strenuous schedules on her voice as the issues.[4][5]

During June 2020, Mariah Carey announced plans to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the album's release, but released a statement in which she announced her plans to delay the commemoration due to the ongoing Black Lives Matter movement and fight for racial justice in the United States. A month later, on July 15, the singer released a teaser video for the anniversary celebration, which was billed "#MC30" in the promotional campaign.[6][note 1] The "#MC30" campaign was said to feature weekly releases of digital EPs and live recordings, remixes, bonus cuts, rare tracks, a cappella recordings, photos, video footage and photos.[8] The Live Debut – 1990 was issued as a live EP as the first release of the campaign on July 17, 2020, on music streaming platforms, and on the same day, Carey published the video footage of the showcase on YouTube.[9] The digital EP was well received by critics, with Chuck Arnold of New York Post commenting "Mimi left no doubt that she was going to be a melismatic force to be reckoned with for years to come."[10]

On October 22, 1990, Carey performed one of her first live showcases as a solo artist, at the Tatou Club in New York City.[8] Carey worn an olive green, crushed velvet dress, where she described that it was not her pick.[11] After being introduced by the emcee, she sang five songs, which included "Love Takes Time" and "Vanishing."[12] "Don't Play That Song (You Lied)" was the final song performed by Carey as a cover, which was famously covered by Aretha Franklin. She reportedly based her rendition of the cover on Franklin's version.[11] The performance was filmed and released as part of The First Vision, Carey's first long-form video release, which was published on VHS in 1991.[13] The performance of "Someday" was not included on the release.[14] The audio tracks of "Vanishing" and "Don't Play That Song (You Lied)" were later included in the Australian special edition of Mariah Carey.[15]

Credits adapted from Apple Music.[16]