August 7, 2002 12:07

MARIAH'S SONGS FOR THE DEF!

The troubled star gets ready to release her first material on Def Jam...

Troubled diva Mariah Carey is set to make her return in September with her first release since her multi-million pound payoff from VIRGIN RECORDS.

Mariah Carey will release the as yet untitled single, followed by an album in December. The album, her first on hip-hop label Def Jam, will appear in the US on December 10, according to MTV. However a spokesperson for the singer told NME.COM this morning that no UK or European release dates had been settled upon.

The album sees Mariah Carey working alongside big name producers such as Jermaine Dupri, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Rising desk-star 7 Aurelius, who as part of the Murder Inc. stable has worked recently with Ja Rule and Ashanti also figures.

The album has been recorded in Italy and in the Bahamas.

Mariah Carey ended months in the industry wilderness by signing with Def Jam in May. No details of the deal were released, though when it was first mooted in January, Mariah Carey was said to be talking to the rap super-label about a two album deal worth between $3million and $5million (£2.1 - £3.5million) an album.

Mariah Carey was dumped by EMI/Virgin in January with a £19.6 million kiss-off. The star had banked £14.7 as an upfront fee when she signed to the label early last year, making it a lucrative few months.