Kehlani Pens Note to ‘Hero’ Mariah Carey After Their Collab: ‘This Woman Is the Definition of an Icon’

Kehlani‘s childhood idol is now one of her collaborators, with Mariah Carey tapping the R&B singer for new song “Sugar Sweet.”

And on the day of the track’s release Friday (July 25), Kehlani penned a sweet note gushing about how meaningful it was to work with someone who was so influential in their life growing up. “nobody speak to me i got a song with the one and only @mariahcarey,” she wrote, sharing a promotional photo for the song, which also features Shenseea.

“the earliest video of me singing and first song i ever learned was ‘Hero’ and everybody who knows me knows this is one of my heroes,” Kehlani continued of Carey. “this woman is the definition of an icon. to have given us so much, for DECADES & never fail to impress us through all the twists and turns music makes. i am so honored and immensely grateful. there truly are no words.”

The musician also added a kind shoutout to their other collaborator on “Sugar Sweet.” “@shenseea you’re an absolute BAD A– who is right on your way to legendary status yourself,” Kehlani concluded. “i’m happy man. #SUGARSWEET 🐑 LAMBS WE ARE SO UP.”

In the comments, Shenseea returned the love. “WE DID THAT!!!!” the Jamaican singer-songwriter wrote. “Thank you @kehlani I’m so happy for you especially, given your history!”

“Sugar Sweet” marks the second single fans have gotten from Carey’s upcoming album Here for It All, which will drop in September. Mimi has also shared the song “Type Dangerous” from the set, locking in her milestone 50th entry on the Billboard Hot 100 earlier this summer with the track.

Kehlani is also fresh off the release of a new track titled “Folded,” which dropped in June via Atlantic Records. The star’s last album, Crash, arrived in July last year and reached No. 25 on the Billboard 200.

See Kehlani’s post below.