He was very focused in the studio. He wrote his rhyme and then out of nowhere, he came up with the "I know you love me" part and I loved that [singing] section. I feel like he was a perfect collaboration because he really focuses on what he's doing.
Carey debuted "I Don't" during an episode of her E!docuseries, Mariah's World, on January 29, 2017.[8] Footage of Carey recording a snippet of the song in a studio booth was broadcast during the episode, which Hugh McIntyre of Forbes described as "perfect timing as far as promotion goes".[4][6] Two days later on January 31, the cover art was revealed by Carey via her official Twitter; it shows the singer in the backseat of a white car with red leathers and accompanied by the track's featured rapper, YG, riding shotgun.[6]Epic Records subsequently released the track for download on February 3, 2017.[9] On March 24, 2017, a remix featuring Remy Ma was released.[10][11]
Critical reception
Mike Wiss of Idolator described the song as being as "legendary" as the artwork: "Mariah Carey has had a really tough year. She literally rang in 2017 with one of the worst (not-quite) live performances of all time and endured the various humiliations of Mariah's World. He added: "Happily, everything else is spot on. Mariah's voice is in fine form and the decision to interpolate Donnell Jones' "Where I Wanna Be" is inspired."[12] Hugh McIntyre from Forbes wrote that the song "doesn’t see the pop star stepping too far out of the comfort zone she’s created over the past decade, opting for a laid back vibe that may please her true devotees, but which might not be uptempo enough to catch the attention of fairweather fans".[4]
Music video
The music video for the song premiered via Carey's Vevo channel on February 3, 2017.[13] It depicts Carey forlorn by her breakup, wearing a wedding dress only to eventually burn it. She moves in and out of a car in various outfits, from latex to lace. At one point, Carey wears an engagement ring on her middle finger, before pointing it at the camera.[14] Carey directed the video herself and executive-produced the video with her former manager, Stella Bulochnikov.[13]
Live performances
Carey and YG performed "I Don't" live on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on February 15, 2017.[15] A few days later, she performed the song live at Dubai Jazz Festival.
