During a recent interview with Hip Hollywood, Jermaine Dupri, who has worked with Mariah Carey for several years and produced a number of her albums, criticized her work ethic in the music business.

MadameNoire notes that in recent years, Carey has been criticized for her poor vocal performances and low albums sales.

Although Dupri admits that the media tends to be hard on Carey, he also acknowledges what he perceives to be Carey's lack of focus and passion for the music business as possible contributing factors to her poor record sales and decreased vocal ability.

"From both sides I think it's like you in the business you have to pay attention to everything," he explained. "There's some artists out there that aren't as serious as they are supposed to be and I think sometimes Mariah doesn't take it as seriously as she should."

Dupri also noted that the media and fans have very high expectations for Carey, which is why she is criticized so harshly.

Early on in her career, Carey was known as one of the greatest voices in the music business and just recently people have begun to criticize her vocal performance.

"I think that is where the criticism comes from because people expect you to put it at a level they ain't even suppose to be able touch. Sometimes when you don't do that, that's where the criticism comes from," he continued. "Sometimes I think the media is a little too hard on Mariah, but at the same time I think sometimes she has to pay attention to that and say 'I'm going to be one hundred times more serious than I feel like being right now.'

But despite the criticism he has for Carey, Dupri still praised the pop diva for establishing a residency in Las Vegas, which premiered on May 6. Dupri predicted that Carey's residency would break records and be a bonafide success.

In addition to having a residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Carey also released her greatest hits album "#1 to Infinity" which will feature 18 of Carey's No. 1 singles along with a brand new track, "Infinity."

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