Mariah Carey's fusion of hip-hop sensibilities and larger-than-life moxie have ruled the pop charts and influenced a generation of up-and-coming singers. Rihanna's slinky cool and Christina Aguilera's empowering assertion that she and her audience are “Beautiful” bring to mind Mimi's unflappable confidence, while the vocal pyrotechnics of Beyoncé and Leona Lewis echo her emotional outpourings.