Carey was the joint record-holder for most ever weeks at number one on the US singles chart.
Her song One Sweet Day with Boyz II Men spent a total of 16 weeks at the summit in 1995-6, a feat that had – until now – gone unbroken.
After Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber matched her in 2017 with Despacito, now both songs have been overtaken.
Yesterday it was confirmed that Old Town Road by Lil Nas X by Billy Ray Cyrus has clocked up that all-important 17th week.
Carey has now spoken out on Twitter about the singer and rapper’s huge achievement.
“Sending love & congrats to @LilNasX on breaking one of the longest running records in music history!” she wrote.
“We’ve been blessed to hold this record with a song that means a great deal to @BoyzIIMen and myself and has touched so many. Keep living your best life!”
She added: “One Sweet Day will always hold a special place in my heart and I want to thank anyone who’s ever told me how this song has affected them and their loved ones.”
Lil Nas X – real name Montero Lamar Hill – responded: “wowwww thank you so much mariah! you are a legend and an icon and i’m blessed to even have you acknowledging me right now!
“growing up to your music & now having you talk to me directly is unreal!”
Bieber, the guest vocalist on Despacito, also messaged the rising star; saying simply: “congratulations”.
Cyrus posted: “This is what the power of the people can do! This is your song folks. Thank you for singing,dancing,and sharing.”
Lil Nas X’s ascent has been historic in many ways: he recently also became the first artist to come out as gay whilst at number one on the Billboard list.
Old Town Road has also been Number One for two weeks in the UK, and is currently at number 10 after 18 weeks.
The UK chart record for most weeks at number one is 18; a record that has gone unbroken since soon after the charts began in 1953.
It’s Frankie Lane’s I Believe that holds the feat; although its tenure was non-consecutive.
The record for most consecutive weeks at the top is 16 weeks, for Bryan Adams’ (Everything I Do) I Do It For You in 1991.
In 2016, Drake came just shy of eclipsing it with One Dance, which managed 15 weeks.
