Mariah Carey Not So “Triumphant” At NFL Kickoff Concert

Carl Williott | September 6, 2012 7:05 am

Because there’s nothing football fans like more than watching a diva sing with a crew of shoulder pad-clad male backup dancers, Mariah Carey was asked to perform during the NFL Kickoff show last night (Sep. 5). Joined by Rick Ross and Meek Mill, the trio performed Carey’s uplifting single “Triumphant (Get ‘Em).” After the Maybach men delivered workmanlike verses, the singer made a grand entrance onto the stage from behind giant video screens for the song’s home stretch.

Strategically, the big reveal was probably meant to prove that the critics are wrong and Carey is no supporting act in the track. The problem with this move, of course, is that she’s nowhere to be found for the first 1:40 of the performance. Once on stage, Carey’s vocals were buried under the backing track and blustery beat (even more so than on the recorded version). But fine, those high Carey octaves at the end make up for it all. Check it out up top.