Mariah Carey may hold the record for the most US No.1 singles for a solo artist, but her label boss LA Reid thinks that her chart-topping run will remain at 18 hits.

Although the world-famous diva recently released 'Infinity' as her new single to coincide with her Vegas residency and new greatest hits collection, Reid explained that expectations for the track have to be realistic.


"Mariah Carey made her first hit record in 1991," he told Billboard. "To even be on the radio at this point in her career is a huge accomplishment, because radio doesn't cater to veteran artists or legends.

"Radio caters to in-the-moment stars... Nobody that put out records 25 years ago is going to have a No.1. Not Paul, Stevie, Bruce, Mick or Keith. Not Prince, not anyone.

"So if she can get on the radio, we've done damn good. Would we like to have a No. 1? F**k yeah, I'm greedy. But it's not realistic."

He later added: "I'm not under any illusion that Mariah should compete with, say, Taylor Swift or Ariana Grande. Our job is to make sure the quality is there. Every artist is one great song away from massive success."

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However, Reid is adamant that Mariah will continue to record new music, and is keen to get her back in the studio soon.

"I don't believe in asking artists to go back and be who they once were," he said. "I like concept records, I like the idea of thematic, storytelling records. I love duets and the Great American Songbook.


"I think a great vocalist should un-cage themselves and think about things like that sometimes. I mean, Frank Sinatra did it. It's fun to sing songs you love.

"And let's not forget that one of Mariah's biggest hits, 'I'll Be There', was a cover. There are many things that Mariah can still do."

Mariah Carey's new retrospective collection #1 To Infinity is out now in the UK and US.