I think I underscored this, actually? I really enjoy this, despite not usually being super into gospel-influenced music. I’m not sure how she learned about me now, maybe the lambs or someone, somehow, anyway, She didn’t have to, but she did.

Mariah played a monumental part in my life and I haven’t seen her in 15 years, to see her acknowledge ME, LINA, feels like I’m sharing another moment with her right now. The fact that Mariah took the time to write that and to call me LINA. I was just a 12-year-old little boy who just wanted to sing but life after that was a rocky road of ups and let downs and pressure and judgment. As grateful as I am for the time I spent with Mariah, Kenneth, Maryann, Oprah, and all the wonderful people from that time, it was from a time prior to my transition. To talk about this time in my life is always a little weird and bittersweet for me.

⁣ I was elated and emotional when I found out Mariah was including “I Pray” on this album of her unreleased music. Mariah will never know how much that meant to me, being such a huge fan of hers. On the day of the album's release, Lina made an emotional post on her Instagram reminiscing about her time with Mariah and her feelings about Mariah's acknowledgment of her transition: 'That song and moment in my life will be a time I will NEVER FORGET. Writing for a talented 12-year-old child was a unique and freeing experience because it was a way to channel a pure feeling of hope and optimism. voice is just angelic.' She further elobrated in the liner notes for 'The Rarities' album booklet: 'I wrote this song for a beautiful young singer. In March 2005 interview about her experience working with Lina, Mariah told Midweek, ' has this beautiful tone and it was something that seemed like it was meant to be. Wai'anae, Hawaii native Lina Robins was surprised by the Oprah Winfrey show in February 2005 when she was selected to record a song specifically written for her by her idol, Mariah. Her studio-recorded version of the song was released on the 'WOW Gospel 2006' compilation album on January 31, 2006.

The track was written and produced by Mariah and Kenneth Crouch in 2005 for a then 12-year-old Lina Robins. 'I Pray' is the tenth track from Mariah's eighth compilation album, 'The Rarities', released on October 2, 2020.

Donell jones this luv samples