A piece of pop music history just found a new home, and for a record-breaking price. Wax Poetics announced Thursday that an extremely rare 1988 Mariah Carey demo tape sold at auction for $54,050, making it the highest-selling cassette by a female artist ever purchased at public auction.
The artifact, sourced from producer Arthur Baker’s personal archive, was offered in partnership with singer Brenda K. Starr, whose early championing of Carey famously helped launch her career. The tape is believed to be one of the only surviving originals from Carey’s pre-fame era and was the same cassette handed to Baker on the night Carey was discovered at a 1989 Christmas party, a moment that would alter pop music forever.
Described by Wax Poetics as a “holy grail” among collectors, the tape features seven raw recordings from 1988. Five of the tracks would ultimately evolve into key songs on Carey’s 1990 self-titled debut album, which went on to produce four No. 1 singles and introduce the world to one of the most powerful voices in contemporary music. The tape also contains two long-rumored unreleased songs that have captivated fans for decades.
“This tape is history – a real one-of-a-kind piece that has been long sought-after by Mariah fans” says Wax Poetics CEO Alex Bruh.
“The impact this tape has had on music is unprecedented and we are incredibly proud to have been a part of its story. It captures the exact moment a generational voice was taking shape, and stands as a testament to her self-made beginnings and the creative foundations that defined her ascent.”
The demo’s backstory is as legendary as Carey herself. In December 1989, Starr brought the young singer — then working multiple jobs to support her music — to a holiday party instead of bringing her mother. Starr slipped Carey’s demo tape to Sony Music executive Tommy Mottola, who reportedly listened to it on the ride home and immediately began searching for her. The decision ultimately led to Carey’s record deal and meteoric rise.
The recordings, created with Ben Margulies and Chris Toland, showcase Carey’s early versatility: funk-inspired rhythms, synth-pop textures, smooth R&B arrangements and the soaring vocal layers that would define her career. Toland noted, “The songs were more primitive in demo form, but all the elements that led to the final record are there. Mariah already had it.”
