| “ | I just think [Shenseea and Kehlani]'s freedom really shows, and they're just present; they're who they are. This makes the record so much younger and more fun, and I just thought it was everything. I've never had a trio before with three strong women, and having the ability to do this now, it's amazing. I love what it speaks on. I love what it speaks to. | ” |
– Here for It All album description on Apple Music[1] | ||
"Sugar Sweet" is the second single from Mariah Carey’s sixteenth studio album, Here for It All. The song features singers Kehlani and Shenseea and was released on July 25, 2025.
Background[]
The song was first teased by Carey during her appearance at Apple Music's 10th anniversary celebration at its new studio space in Culver City, CA, and was described as "summery."[2]
On July 17, 2025, Carey posted a video on social media humming the lyrics "I'mma keep it nice, I'mma keep it neat, I hope that you don't mind, I'mma keep it sweet, sugar, sugar, sweet" while cleaning, with the caption "I have this song stuck in my head...."[3] The video was later reposted by Felisha King, a member of the R&B group Cherish, who added the caption, "Something's coming!!!!" Producer Harv, King's husband, then reshared her story, teasing his involvement in the upcoming song.[4] Two days later, Carey officially announced "Sugar Sweet" in a video where she bakes a cake and sings the song.[5]
On July 23, 2025, Carey revealed via her Instagram Story that the single would feature Kehlani and Shenseea. The following day, a video of the three artists singing "Sugar Sweet" against a pastel pink and blue cloud background was posted on social media.[6]
Promotion[]
Following the song's release, Carey was interviewed by Eddie Francis for Apple Music's New Music Daily segment about the song, collaborating with Kehlani and Shenseea, the Lambily, and the upcoming release of Here for It All.[7]
Lyric video[]
A lyric video for "Sugar Sweet" was released on August 1, 2025. It features the lyrics over a pink cloud background, with vertical videos of Carey, Kehlani and Shenseea singing their respective parts.
Live performances[]
Carey included the song in her sets at Brighton Pride, Heritage Live and The Town on August 2, 2025, August 15, 2025, and September 13, 2025, respectively. The song was also included in Carey's performance at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards. On September 20, 2025, the song was included as part of Carey's performance at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Festival.
Gallery[]
Credits and personnel[]
- Assistant engineer – Mark Parfitt
- Mixing – Brian Garten
- Production – Harv, Mariah Carey
- Programming – Harv
- Recording engineer – Brian Garten
- Songwriting – Bernard Harvey, Chinsea Linda Lee, Darius Scott, Donny Flores, Felisha King Harvey, Kehlani Parrish, Mariah Carey, Mikhail Wesley Miller
Trivia[]
- Shenseea's part was originally longer, but the last four bars of her verse were omitted from the final version of the song. On the day of the song's release, Shenseea went live on Instagram and sang her verse in its entirety.[8]
- Physical versions of Here for It All feature a solo version of the song without Kehlani or Shenseea. The solo version was released digitally as part of the digital deluxe edition, exclusive to Carey's online store.
Lyrics[]
Walk to the car and there you are
Can't explain the rush that I feel
Open up the door, you pull me towards you
Then you put your lips on me
I really, really like when I put it all together for you
I'm gonna take my time
My nails, hair, new perfume
Hate it when you have to leave
But I don't say a thing
'Cause I will absolutely get the ring
No hurry, no worries
Oh baby baby baby baby I'm
Gonna use my expertise
I'mma keep it nice
l'mma keep it neat
I'mma keep it sugar
I'mma keep it sweet
I'mma keep it nice, nice
Neat, neat
Sugar, sugar
(Sugar)
Sweet, sweet
(Sweet)
I'mma keep it nice, nice
Neat, neat
Sugar, sugar
(Sugar)
Sweet, sweet
(Sweet)
I hope that you don't mind
I'm gonna take my time
And I'mma keep it nice, nice
Neat, neat
Sugar, sugar
(Sugar)
Sweet, sweet
(Sweet)
You make me melt like candy
Only you can make it drip that kinda way
My baby come in handy
When I wanna get away
So tell me what are you on tonight
'Cause I wanna take a ride
Let me blow your mind
Ride it from the passenger side
It's like that y'all (That y'all)
I got the sweet and the spice
And the everything nice
It's like that y'all (That y'all)
I got Tajin and the lime with the cream on the side
Hate it when you have to leave
But I don't say a thing
'Cause I will absolutely get the ring
No hurry, no worries
(No hurry, no worries)
Oh baby baby baby baby I'm
Gonna use my expertise
I'mma keep it nice
l'mma keep it neat
I'mma keep it sugar
I'mma keep it sweet
I'mma keep it nice, nice
Neat, neat
Sugar, sugar
(Sugar)
Sweet, sweet
(Sweet)
I'mma keep it nice, nice
Neat, neat
Sugar, sugar
(Sugar)
Sweet, sweet
(Sweet)
I hope that you don't mind
I'm gonna take my time
And I'mma keep it nice, nice
Neat, neat
Sugar, sugar
(Sugar)
Sweet, sweet
(Sweet)
Me will keep it nice
l'mma keep it sweet
And I'm full of sugar
Come get a rush from me
I got what you like
What you wanna beat
When me give you
Don't go chatting like a parakeet oh
This aroma sweeter than Dior, love
Keep my body tight
Treat you right 'cause you deserve me easy
Me love, me nice and sweet
All of the above
And mi guarantee to love you proper
So sweet like a gizzada
Me ago lock it down, prison zone, keep the bumpa round
Though I'm getting older, I'm with you, boy, you gon' keep me young
I'mma keep it nice, nice
(Sugar)
Neat, neat
(Oh)
Sugar, sugar
(Sugar)
Sweet, sweet
(I'mma keep it nice)
(Sweet)
I'mma keep it nice, nice
Neat, neat
Sugar, sugar
(Sugar)
Sweet, sweet
(Sweet)
I hope that you don't mind
(That you don't mind)
I'm gonna take my time
And I'mma keep it nice, nice
(Nice)
Neat, neat
Sugar, sugar
(Sugar)
Sweet, sweet
(Sweet)
Sweet
I'mma keep it nice, nice
(Sweet)
Neat, neat
Sugar, sugar
(Sugar)
Sweet, sweet
(Sweet)
I'mma keep it nice, nice
Neat, neat
Sugar, sugar
Sweet, sweet
So don't leave
I don't want you to go
When we need something sweet every day
This everybody know
Walk to the car and there you are
Can't explain the rush that I feel
Open up the door, you pull me towards you
Then you put your lips on me
I really, really like when I put it all together for you
I'm gonna take my time
My nails, hair, new perfume
Hate it when you have to leave
But I don't say a thing
'Cause I will absolutely get the ring
No hurry, no worries
Oh baby baby baby baby I'm
Gonna use my expertise
I'mma keep it nice
l'mma keep it neat
I'mma keep it sugar
I'mma keep it sweet
I'mma keep it nice, nice
Neat, neat
Sugar, sugar
(Sugar)
Sweet, sweet
(Sweet)
I'mma keep it nice, nice
Neat, neat
Sugar, sugar
(Sugar)
Sweet, sweet
(Sweet)
I hope that you don't mind
I'm gonna take my time
And I'mma keep it nice, nice
Neat, neat
Sugar, sugar
(Sugar)
Sweet, sweet
(Sweet)
All the things I do
I only do 'em, only do 'em just for you
You know I
Can't get enough of you, babe
When I talk to you, love
And tell you all the things that I need from you
You do all the above and it's never too much
Hate it when you have to leave
But I don't say a thing
'Cause I will absolutely get the ring
No hurry, no worries
Oh baby baby baby baby I'm
Gonna use my expertise
I'mma keep it nice
l'mma keep it neat
I'mma keep it sugar
I'mma keep it sweet
I'mma keep it nice, nice
Neat, neat
Sugar, sugar
(Sugar)
Sweet, sweet
(Sweet)
I'mma keep it nice, nice
Neat, neat
Sugar, sugar
(Sugar)
Sweet, sweet
(Sweet)
I hope that you don't mind
I'm gonna take my time
And I'mma keep it nice, nice
Neat, neat
Sugar, sugar
(Sugar)
Sweet, sweet
(Sweet)
References[]
- ↑ Carey, M. (2025). Here For It All [Album]. Gamma.
- ↑ Apple Music [@applemusic]. (2025, July 1). @mariahcarey tells @zanelowe and @oldmanebro about her upcoming album. [Video]. Instagram. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
- ↑ Mariah Carey [@mariahcarey]. (2025, July 17). I have this song stuck in my head.... [Video]. Instagram. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
- ↑ Fan | Mariah Carey Charts [@chartmariah]. (2025, July 17). Record producer HARV reposted a story from his wife, songwriter Felisha Fury, teasing Mariah Carey's new song with the caption [Images attached]. X. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
- ↑ Mariah Carey [@mariahcarey]. (2025, Julu 19). Sugar Sweet 💋 [Video]. Instagram. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
- ↑ Mariah Carey [@MariahCarey]. (2025, July 24). We're keeping it nice, neat, sugar sweet! 💞 Sugar Sweet ft. Shenseea & Kehlani out tonight, everywhere @ 12am ET 🔥 [Video attached]. X. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
- ↑ Apple Music [@AppleMusic]. (2025, July 25). .@MariahCarey tells @yourboyeddie about teaming up with @Kehlani and @SHENYENG on her new track, "Sugar Sweet," off her upcoming album [Video attached]. X. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ↑ shenyeng ☆ [@mekgyalupset]. (2025, July 26). Shenseea plays ‘Sugar Sweet’ on Instagram live and sang some lines that were shaved off her verse. Stream #SugarSweet 🍭💗🍰🍬 [Video attached]. X. Retrieved July 27, 2025.