Mariah Carey's secret grunge album part of tribute at MusiCares event

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mariah Carey has blended pop, R&B, gospel and hip-hop into hit songs over five decades. But it was hearing a couple of cuts off her 1990s secret grunge album that had the superstar on her feet clapping.

Foo Fighters blasted through “Someone's Ugly Daughter” with Taylor Momsen on lead vocals. They followed up with “Love is a Scam” as Carey sang along from her front table.

Carey was honored for her musical achievements and philanthropic efforts as MusiCares Person of the Year on Friday night, two days before the Grammy Awards. The award is given in the week ahead of the Grammys by MusiCares, a charity that supports musicians in need.

“She is one of one,” longtime collaborator Babyface said. “Mariah, you are every songwriter and producer's dream. You strike a lot of gold. You are a blueprint of a great songwriter.”

Back in 1995, Carey secretly recorded and co-produced the grunge album “Someone’s Ugly Daughter” with her friend Clarissa Dane under the name Chick. It wasn't until her 2020 memoir that Carey revealed she was behind the project, singing background vocals while Dane handled lead.

Of all the songs performed at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Carey seemed to enjoy Foo Fighters' blast from the past the most.

Stevie Wonder didn't perform, but he took the stage to tell Carey, “The greatest thing about you and I is we have respect and love for each other.”

Grammy nominee Teddy Swims tackled “Without You,” the Harry Nilsson power ballad that Carey took to No. 1 in 1994.

“That was really terrifying,” he said.

British girl group Flo harmonized on “Dream Lover,” Billy Porter lent his unique interpretation to “Always Be My Baby,” and Jennifer Hudson opened with “I Don't Wanna Cry” before seguing into “Vision of Love.”

Surprise guest Busta Rhymes teamed with Chanté Moore and Spliff Star to perform “I Know What You Want."

John Legend sat behind the piano for “Hero” after Charlie Puth sang “I Still Believe” in the round. Grammy nominee Laufey sang “It's Like That," and, in a nod to Carey's favorite color, Adam Lambert wore a lavender jacket while performing “Can't Let Go.” Kesha sang “Obsessed” behind sunglasses. Maggie Rogers performed “Honey,” and then told Carey, “You're the coolest.”

Tables had metallic butterflies tucked in the lavender rose centerpieces, while pats of butter were in the shape of tiny butterflies. Carey's sixth studio album “Butterfly” came out in 1997.

Dripping with diamonds on her necklace, earrings and bracelets, Carey did more singing at her table than she did onstage.

Traditionally, the honoree performs some of their biggest hits at the end of what is usually a three-hour concert. This year, the show wrapped in just under two hours, with Jon Batiste leading some of the performers in Carey's holiday classic “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” The guest of honor was led on stage and sang along for about 90 seconds of the finale.

Perhaps Carey was saving her five-octave range for next Friday, when she's set to perform as part of the Milan Cortina Olympics opening ceremony in Italy, followed by a show in Abu Dhabi the next day.

Befitting her diva status, Carey was guided to the podium trailed by a woman carrying the train of her sheer black lace dress.

“Ah, tonight has been sublime,” she said. “To hear my songs reimagined by some of the world’s greatest artists, it’s surreal. When I was a little girl scribbling lyrics in my notebook late at night, I could only dream of someone hearing those words and relating to them.”

Carey seemed genuinely touched by the honor, which has previously been bestowed on such artists as Bruce Springsteen, Barbra Streisand, Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson, Joni Mitchell, Dolly Parton and Tom Petty. She told the crowd it was “one of the most profound moments of my life and career.”

“Oh my gosh!” Carey said. “I got a chance to sit there and listen and feel very just blessed to be here. So much love, so much music. It's overwhelming in the best possible way.”

The 68th Grammy Awards will be held Sunday. The show will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+. For more coverage of this year’s Grammy Awards visit: www.apnews.com/hub/grammy-awards

Kesha performs 'Obsessed' during MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Mariah Carey on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Teddy Swims performs "Without You" during MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Mariah Carey on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Busta Rhymes, left, and Chante Moore perform "I know what you want" during MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Mariah Carey on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

John Legend performs 'Hero' during MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Mariah Carey on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Mariah Carey, center, accepts the 2026 MusiCares Persons of the Year award during MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Mariah Carey on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Jennifer Hudson performs a medley during MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Mariah Carey on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Stevie Wonder, left, and Gayle King speak during MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Mariah Carey on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters, left, and Taylor Momsen perform a medley during MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Mariah Carey on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Kesha, from left, R/ita Wilson, Mariah Carey, Gayle King, and Charlie Puth perform during MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Mariah Carey on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

MILAN (AP) — Antonio Vergara is giving Napoli supporters a hometown hero amid a deepening injury crisis at the Serie A defending champion on Saturday.

Vergara scored a wonder goal in the Champions League midweek and weighed in with a goal and an assist in Serie A to help Napoli beat Fiorentina 2-1.

Napoli’s first win in four matches in all competitions cut the gap to Serie A leader Inter Milan to six points. Inter plays at Cremonese on Sunday.

However, the victory came at a cost as Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo was taken to hospital in tears in the first half with a suspected torn ACL in his left knee.

Napoli has struggled with injuries — some long term — all season and the players sidelined include Kevin De Bruyne, Frank Anguissa, David Neres, Billy Gilmour, Matteo Politano and Amir Rrahmani.

“It’s game after game after game having to use players who should be resting,” Napoli coach Antonio Conte said. "I know this type of injury (to Di Lorenzo), it seems like a torn cruciate. It’s a very bad thing, we know how much he means to us.

“Then someone says we complain. Normal injuries are not happening to us but serious ones. And it’s hard to patch things up no matter how much we’re doing it. The team is doing something extraordinary.”

Napoli was looking to rebound from being eliminated from the Champions League on Wednesday after a 3-2 loss to Chelsea.

Vergara scored his first goal for Napoli in that defeat and he added to that with his first Serie A goal on Saturday, in the 11th minute. Rasmus Højlund was blocked from collecting a long ball by Fiorentina defenders but that allowed Vergara to latch onto it and sprint clear before drilling into the bottom right corner.

The locally born midfielder leapt over the advertising hoardings and onto the track to celebrate with the fans.

Fiorentina came close to equalizing moments after the host should have doubled its lead but Roberto Piccoli headed a free kick off the post and, as the action continued, Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret pulled off an incredible save to parry Albert Guðmundsson’s header at point-blank range.

Napoli doubled its lead at the start of the second half when Vergara picked out Miguel Gutiérrez on the right and he cut inside past Fiorentina defender Robin Gosens before curling into the far bottom corner.

Manor Solomon reduced the deficit in the 57th minute, tapping in the rebound after Meret parried Piccoli’s attempt.

Fiorentina remained 18th in Serie A, one point from safety.

Domenico Berardi had a great return to the starting lineup by scoring and forcing an own goal as Sassuolo won at Pisa 3-1. Berardi’s first start since November followed a hamstring strain.

Sassulo climbed up to 11th while Pisa remained four points from safety. It did, however, climb off bottom spot and above Hellas Verona on goal difference after Verona lost at mid-table Cagliari 4-0.

Head-to-head record is the first tiebreaker at the end of the season.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Sassuolo's Domenico Berardi kicks the ball during the Serie A soccer match between Pisa and Sassuolo, in Pisa, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (Alessandro La Rocca/LaPresse via AP)

Sassuolo's Domenico Berardi, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring, during the Serie A soccer match between Pisa and Sassuolo, in Pisa, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (Alessandro La Rocca/LaPresse via AP)

Fiorentina's Manor Salomon, right, celebrates after scoring during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Napoli and Fiorentina in Naples, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse via AP)

Napoli's Rasmus Hojlund, right, and Fiorentina's Marin Pongracic battle for the ball during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Napoli and Fiorentina in Naples, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse via AP)

Napoli's Antonio Vergara celebrates after scoring during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Napoli and Fiorentina in Naples, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse via AP)