Mariah Amani Buckles, born October 27, 1997 in Atlanta, Georgia, is known professionally as Mariah the Scientist. She stands out in contemporary R&B for her introspective songwriting, genre-bending sound, and candid explorations of love, heartbreak, and personal growth.
Early Life & Turning Point
- Education & Roots
Mariah grew up in Atlanta. Her interest in music showed early, with participation in school choirs and a love for writing poems and journal entries about daily feelings.
She later went to New York to attend St. John’s University on scholarship, studying biology (with thoughts toward becoming a pediatric anesthesiologist). However, while in college she began writing songs, and her creative pull eventually led her to drop out to pursue music full time. Her scientific studies later inspired her stage name. - First Music & Discovery
In January 2018, she released a six-track EP titled To Die For via SoundCloud. This early project helped put her on the radar. Not long afterward, the rapper Tory Lanez discovered her music. She signed to Lanez’s label One Umbrella and also to RCA Records.
Career Evolution
- Albums & Key Releases
- Master (2019) was her debut studio album, under One Umbrella/RCA. The album is deeply personal, with emotional ballads, minimalistic and cinematic arrangements. Singles like “Beetlejuice” and “Reminders” helped define her early voice.
- Ry Ry World (2021) showed further evolution: more sonic variety, stronger hooks, ambitious sound yet retaining her emotional honesty.
- In 2022, she released an EP titled Buckles Laboratories Presents: The Intermission, independent singles, and started more touring.
- To Be Eaten Alive (2023) was her third studio album, released via a joint venture deal with Epic Records. It marked her first entry onto the Billboard 200.
- Her latest, Hearts Sold Separately (2025), reflects both growth and vulnerability. Songs like “Burning Blue” and “Sacrifice” show her willingness to lean into raw emotional material.
- Chart Milestones
“Burning Blue,” released in May 2025, peaked at No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100, one of her first big lead‐artist chart entries.
Style, Influences & Themes
- Musical & Lyrical Style
Mariah is often praised for her vocal tone: soft, emotive, with a slightly husky R&B texture. Her production tends to lean cinematic, often sparse enough to allow space for lyrics to breathe. She juxtaposes modern OR retro sounds depending on the project; Burning Blue has retro elements but feels current. - Influences
She cites artists like Outkast and Frank Ocean as influences on how to write deeply and honestly. Her art is shaped by her scientific background too—her analytical mindset informs how she frames emotional experiences in her songs. - Recurring Themes
Love, heartbreak, longing, emotional conflict, separation, self-discovery are core in her discography. She often writes from personal experience, weaving vulnerability into her lyrics. Her relationship with rapper Young Thug has been both a subject and a public focus: she has collaborated with him, has publicly supported him through his legal trials, and the emotional weight of those events appears in her music.
Recent Work & Breakout Moments
- “Hearts Sold Separately”
This album is seen by many as a maturation point. Critical reviews note its polished vocal work, richer sonic textures, and emotional clarity. It’s less about overt dramatics and more about nuance—how love can feel intimate, messy, strong, fragile. - “Burning Blue” & Public Recognition
Burning Blue not only charted well, but received praise from other artists. One notable moment: Rihanna named Burning Blue her karaoke go-to song during an interview, which Mariah later responded to, expressing admiration.
Challenges, Public Profile & Personal Life
- Legal & Media Scrutiny
Mariah has faced some controversies, both personal and external. She was arrested in Atlanta in May 2024 after an alleged altercation at a nightclub. She’s also been in the public eye because of her long-standing relationship with Young Thug, including dealing with media coverage of his legal case. - Balancing Art & Authenticity
As her audience has grown, so has the pressure to deliver. But many reviewers and fans note that Mariah has resisted compromising her voice—she generally avoids following trends just for virality, and seems more focused on emotional resonance and ownership of her work.
Cultural Impact & Legacy Prospects
- Mariah the Scientist represents a wave of younger R&B artists who combine emotional honesty with production innovation. She is often cited alongside artists who treat vulnerability as strength, not weakness.
- Her journey from aspiring scientist to artist gives her a unique narrative that resonates: ambition, discipline, but also the courage to shift paths when the heart demands it.
- With multiple charting singles now, critical acclaim, and growing headline performances and festival slots, she is increasingly seen not just as an up-and-coming artist, but as one whose influence on the shape of R&B is already being felt.
What’s Next?
- She has hinted at continuing new music beyond Hearts Sold Separately, teasing that the creative well isn’t drying up.
- Her relationship with Young Thug, while personal, has artistic implications too—collaborations, shared themes. How that evolves may appear in her upcoming work.
- Also of interest is how her platform continues to grow: are there opportunities for crossover, for acting, for expanding into new genres? Given her developing style and increasing visibility, she has room to expand both her sound and her reach.
Conclusion
Mariah the Scientist has carved out a distinctive place in modern R&B: someone who writes with openness, mixes melancholy and hope, who refuses to simplify her narrative. Her journey reflects the importance of authenticity, the power of personal storytelling, and the way music can heal and connect.