Mariah the Scientist Reaches New Heights: From Biology Student to Chart-Breaking R&B Star

Rising Star Makes Billboard History

Mariah the Scientist has achieved a significant milestone in 2025 with her singles ‘Burning Blue’ and ‘Is It a Crime’ (featuring Kali Uchis), marking her first entries on the Billboard Hot 100 as a lead artist. These tracks are set to appear on her upcoming fourth studio album, ‘Hearts Sold Separately’.

From Science to Soundwaves

Born Mariah Amani Buckles, the American singer and songwriter initially pursued a very different path. She attended St. John’s University with aspirations of becoming a pediatric anesthesiologist, but ultimately dropped out to pursue her music career.

True to her scientific background, Mariah approaches her music with methodical precision, often spending months combining different elements until finding the perfect mixture. Her latest single, ‘Burning Blue,’ represents a turning point in her career, achieved through careful experimentation with her promotional strategy.

Business Evolution and Current Success

Demonstrating her entrepreneurial spirit, Mariah has established her own label, Buckles Laboratories, which gives her greater creative control and business autonomy in her musical career.

‘Burning Blue’ has reached an impressive No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 and continues to grow across several Billboard airplay charts. The song, which draws inspiration from Purple Rain-era Prince with its booming drums and warbling bass, was produced by Jetski Purp and later enhanced by Nineteen85, known for his work with Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Khalid.

Looking Ahead

Since her breakthrough in 2019, Mariah has built a loyal fan base with hundreds of millions of streams on platforms like Spotify and YouTube, becoming a staple in today’s R&B scene. As a singer who writes her own music and sources much of her own production, she effectively operates as a one-woman creative force.