Anderson .Paak Confirms Mariah Carey Collaboration Amid Dating Rumors

Anderson .Paak and Mariah Carey are working on new music together.

During a Friday (May 2) appearance on the social media series Track Star — where guests try to identify mystery songs — the 39-year-old singer-songwriter and producer correctly guessed Carey’s “Always Be My Baby,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1996.

“This would be Mariah Carey. The Mariah Carey,” said .Paak, who was wearing a T-shirt featuring Mariah’s face. “I remember in like 5th grade, or something, watching the music videos and having a huge crush. We’re working on some music on her new album.”

News of a musical collaboration between .Paak and Carey, 56, comes after the two were seen holding hands after the iHeartRadio Music Awards in March 2025, People reports. .Paak helped the superstar singer onto the stage as she accepted the icon award at the ceremony.

“Thank you iHeart for this incredible honor,” Carey said during her speech. “As a kid, I used to listen to my favorite artist on the radio and dream of being on the airwave myself. Now, for those of you who may not know what airwaves are, think of it as the non-Wifi version of streaming, OK?”

Around the same time, the pair were reportedly also spotted leaving a restaurant together in West Hollywood. Prior to that, .Paak and Carey were seen holding hands following the conclusion of her Christmas tour in December 2024, according to People.

Carey, recently nominated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, confirmed in an early April interview with the Associated Press that she’s working on a new album, but she did not share additional details. Her most recent studio album, Caution, was released in 2018.

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of The Emancipation of Mimi, Carey announced a special expanded edition of the album. The upcoming release will include bonus tracks, unreleased remixes and collaborations, instrumentals, a cappella versions, and live recordings. The two-disc vinyl edition is set to drop through Def Jam Records/UMe on May 30.