Mariah Carey leaves Columbia Records

<br>NEW YORK (AP)_ Mariah Carey is bidding farewell to her record company. <br><br>She and Columbia Records issued a joint statement on Monday confirming the pop superstar has left the label. Carey was

Tuesday, April 3rd 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP)_ Mariah Carey is bidding farewell to her record company.

She and Columbia Records issued a joint statement on Monday confirming the pop superstar has left the label. Carey was one of Columbia's best-selling artists, with a string of hits that included ``Fantasy,'' ``One Sweet Day'' and ``Honey.'' According to Columbia, she has sold more than 140 million albums and singles worldwide.

``Mariah Carey is one of the most talented artists in the world. We have shared many commercial and creative successes, and we wish her only the best as her career continues to grow and evolve,'' Sony Music, Columbia's parent company, said in a statement.

Carey, who was signed to the label by Sony Music Chairman Tommy Mottola, released her self-titled, multiplatinum debut album in 1990. Mottola and Carey later wed, then divorced. In the last year, Carey expressed dissatisfaction with the promotion of her music at the label.

The New York Daily News reported Carey, 31, had signed a deal with Virgin Records worth $20 million per album. Virgin did not return calls seeking comment.