Mariah Carey Connection

Mariah Carey hit another high note in her illustrious career when she was honored as a BMI Icon at the BMI Urban Awards at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills on Friday night. The multi-octave diva, sporting curly hair and a cutout black dress, arrived fashionably late with her husband Nick Cannon and manager Randy Jackson in tow, smiling for photos and doing a few interviews.

Following congratulatory messages from Diddy, Pharrell, L.A. Reid, and Sidney Poitier, Jermaine Dupri kicked off the tribute by mixing some of the hits he produced for Mariah. Joe belted out “We Belong Together,” gospel star Karen Clark-Sheard soared with “Anytime You Need a Friend,” Eric Benét dueted on “One Sweet Day,” and Fantasia tore the house down with a soulful version of “Hero.”

With Nick by her side, a gracious Mariah accepted the honor. “I’m just humbled and thankful and grateful,” said Mimi. “Thank you for blessing me with this moment.”

Mariah Carey Accepts BMI Icon Award at BMI Urban Awards

It’s not easy to follow in Mariah Carey’s footsteps. Four of the pop diva’s peers braved the tough task of covering her classics at the BMI Urban Awards in Beverly Hills last night. Following a DJ set from Jermaine Dupri, Mariah’s “Thank God I Found You” collaborator Joe impressed with his version of Mimi’s 2000 record-breaking hit “We Belong Together.”

Gospel star Karen Clark-Sheard followed with a stirring take on “Anytime You Need a Friend” before making way for Mariah’s Glitter co-star Eric Benét, who dueted on “One Sweet Day.”

“I’m gonna have to come out of these shoes,” said Fantasia before wowing the crowd with her cover of the inspirational “Hero.” She left the stage at one point to sing to Mariah and Nick, who were seated in the front row.

A humbled Mariah was in tears by the time she went up to accept her BMI Icon award, praising all the artists who performed in her honor.

Fantasia covers Mariah Carey’s “Hero” at the 2012 BMI Urban Awards in Beverly Hills on September 7, 2012

Joe covers Mariah Carey’s “We Belong Together” at the 2012 BMI Urban Awards in Beverly Hills on September 7, 2012.

Karen Clark Sheard covers ‘Anytime You Need A Friend’ at the 2012 BMI Urban Awards in Beverly Hills on September 7, 2012.

Source: Rap-Up Magazine | MusicationNonProfit @ YouTube| Thanks to Bojan & Mariah Universe