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Mariah Carey just hit a high note, again! Her 1995 chart-topping anthem 'Fantasy' has officially surpassed 500 million streams on Spotify this Monday, June 30th, marking a major milestone in the pop diva’s illustrious career. The R&B-meets-pop classic not only made history nearly three decades ago by debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 (a first for a female artist), but now it’s proving to be a multi-generational favorite in the digital age.
With Fantasy joining the ranks of her most-streamed tracks, including the perennial favorite All I Want for Christmas Is You, Mariah continues to reign as a streaming powerhouse in 2025.
Originally released as the lead single from her Daydream album, Fantasy became her ninth No. 1 hit in the U.S. and stayed at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for eight consecutive weeks in the fall of 1995.
It helped redefine the pop landscape with its bold fusion of R&B and hip-hop, particularly through its iconic remix featuring Ol’ Dirty Bastard, a collaboration that was, at the time, considered a major departure for a pop superstar.
Mariah, 56, recently reflected on that bold, creative decision and the impact of the song during an interview with 98.5 KRZ in June.
“A lot of people didn’t think I should do that song. And why would I work with O.D.B.? Because they didn’t understand that was my choice.And, anyway, it ended up being one of my favorite, one of my biggest songs ever.”
The track, written by Carey along with Steven Stanley, Adrian Belew, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth, and Dave Hall, tells the story of a woman enamored with a man she dreams of being with. Its dreamy production and catchy hook have kept it resonating with listeners around the world.
With Fantasy joining the half-billion club, Mariah now boasts four songs to reach that milestone on Spotify. Her seasonal juggernaut All I Want For Christmas Is You leads the pack with over two billion streams, followed by 2005’s We Belong Together with more than 777 million plays, and 2009’s viral hit Obsessed, which is closing in on 600 million.
The celebration doesn’t stop there. Earlier this summer, Mariah was honored with the Ultimate Icon Award at the 2025 BET Awards, her very first BET accolade.
“If you’re gonna get one, might as well start with the Ultimate Icon Award. My life and career have been quite the adventure. I will spare you the long, drawn-out saga tonight. It’s all in my book anyway.”
The star continued, “It took me a while, but I finally realized life is far too short to live for anyone else’s approval, which is something I always did.”
She also expressed how appreciative she is, “Thank you so much, so I decided to own who I am. My extra-ness, my fabulousness, and yes, my success and my iconic-ness, I guess, that’s what they’re telling me tonight and I appreciate it! I’m so grateful for you all to celebrate it with me tonight. Thank you so much.”
"I just want to encourage everyone out there to believe in yourself. Love and respect yourself. Be a diva, be a boss, be anything you wanna be.But be iconic while you’re doing it.”
With decades of success, a growing list of streaming records, and a legacy that’s still expanding, Mariah Carey isn’t just reminiscing on past glory, she’s actively making history.