Laufey Honors Mariah Carey With Jazzy 'It's Like That' Tribute

The Icelandic singer reflects on reimagining the pop classic at the MusiCares gala.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 8:15pm

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Fresh off her Grammy win, Laufey reflected on honoring Mariah Carey with a bossa nova–infused rendition of 'It's Like That' at Friday night's MusiCares Person of the Year gala. Laufey told Variety that singing one of Carey's songs in a style more familiar to her was 'really cool' and that the track is now 'a standard'.

Why it matters

Laufey's tribute performance highlighted Carey's enduring impact and the versatility of her iconic songs, which can be reinterpreted across different genres and styles. The MusiCares gala featured several artists putting their own spin on Carey's hits, showcasing her influence and the ability of her music to transcend boundaries.

The details

During Laufey's performance at the MusiCares gala, Carey could be seen smiling and mouthing along as the singer delivered a jazzy take on the 'The Emancipation of Mimi' standout. Laufey said the tribute performances, which also featured special renditions by Kesha, John Legend, Charlie Puth and Jennifer Hudson, were a 'clever idea' that allowed each artist to interpret Carey's songs in their own style.

  • The MusiCares Person of the Year gala was held on January 30, 2026.
  • Laufey won the Grammy for best traditional pop vocal album for 'A Matter of Time' earlier that weekend.

The players

Laufey

An Icelandic singer who recently won a Grammy and performed a jazzy tribute to Mariah Carey at the MusiCares gala.

Mariah Carey

A legendary pop singer who was honored as the MusiCares Person of the Year in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“It's such a great way to highlight just how amazing Mariah is — how amazing her songs are, and how they can live so many different lives. To sing one of her songs in a style that felt more familiar to me was really cool. That song is a standard now.”

— Laufey, Singer

The takeaway

Laufey's jazzy tribute to Mariah Carey's 'It's Like That' at the MusiCares gala showcased the enduring power and versatility of Carey's iconic songs, which can be reinterpreted across genres and styles to reach new audiences. This performance highlighted Carey's lasting influence and the ability of her music to transcend boundaries.