Laufey Reflects on Honoring Mariah Carey With Jazzy ‘It’s Like That’ Tribute: ‘That’s a Standard Now’

Following her recent Grammy win, Laufey reflected on the experience of honoring Mariah Carey at the MusiCares Person of the Year event. The Icelandic singer-songwriter, who took home the award for best traditional pop vocal album for "A Matter of Time," told Variety that crafting a bossa nova take on Carey's "It's Like That" was a meaningful challenge. She emphasized the importance of making the interpretation uniquely her own, calling it a powerful way to demonstrate the song's lasting appeal. "To present one of her classics in a style that felt genuine to my artistry was incredibly fulfilling," Laufey said. "It proves the track has truly earned its status as a standard."

The tribute became a viral moment when footage showed Mariah Carey herself smiling and mouthing the words to Laufey's jazz-infused performance. This rendition of the hit from Carey's landmark 2005 album "The Emancipation of Mimi"—which revitalized her career with massive singles like "We Belong Together"—was part of a lineup that included Kesha, John Legend, and others. Laufey commended the event's inventive format, which allowed each artist to filter Carey's catalog through their own sonic perspective. "The band was exceptional, and the collaborative rehearsal process was a joy," she noted. Industry observers point out that such curated tributes are increasingly vital for legacy acts, serving to reintroduce their work to new audiences while celebrating their influence in real-time.

This high-profile performance concluded a landmark weekend for Laufey, who also won a Grammy in 2024 for her album "Bewitched." Her career, built on merging jazz and classical pop sensibilities for a contemporary listenership, continues to gain momentum. On stage after her latest win, she shared her mission: "A core goal has always been to bring these timeless styles to younger ears. Simply introducing different chords and instrumentation not typically found in mainstream pop today is profoundly rewarding." Born Laufey Lín Bing Jónsdóttir, the artist has ascended rapidly from posting online covers to becoming a central figure in the modern jazz-pop resurgence, a movement that also includes artists like Samara Joy and Jacob Collier.

The 2025 Grammy Awards, hosted for a final time by Trevor Noah, were broadcast on CBS and streamed on Paramount+. The ceremony and its surrounding events, like the MusiCares gala, highlight the industry's dual focus on celebrating established icons and fostering innovative newcomers. As music historian Dr. Elena Torres commented, "These tributes act as a living bridge between generations. They validate an icon's enduring relevance while offering a platform for emerging artists to demonstrate their interpretive skill, ensuring classic songbooks remain part of the contemporary conversation."