You’ve seen the comments. Every time Mariah the Scientist drops a new music video or a high-profile interview surfaces, the search bars start smoking. People are genuinely confused. Is she mixed? Is she Afro-Latina? Is she just a light-skinned girl from the South?
Honestly, the internet has a weird obsession with trying to put Mariah Amani Buckles into a box she never asked to be in. Some of this stems from her stage name—which sounds more like a Marvel character than an R&B star—and some of it comes from her distinct look. But if you’re looking for the actual truth about Mariah the Scientist ethnicity, you don’t have to look at fan theories on Reddit. You just have to listen to her.
The "Black and Both" Reality
Let’s clear the air immediately. Mariah the Scientist is Black.
In a 2023 interview with Cocoa Butter, she literally looked into the camera and said, "I’ma clarify this for everybody out there on the internet who don’t know—I’m Black. Both of my parents are African American."
It’s kind of wild that she even had to say it, but in the world of R&B where "ambiguous" is often a marketing aesthetic, fans tend to overcomplicate things. Mariah grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. If you know anything about the A, you know it’s the epicenter of Black culture, and her upbringing was steeped in that. Her father worked in the police force and her mother worked for the church.
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Despite the constant questions, she identifies as a Black woman from the South. Period.
Why the Confusion Exists
People love a mystery. Because Mariah has a lighter complexion and a specific features, the "is she mixed?" narrative took off early in her career. It didn’t help that she has often been compared to Mariah Carey—who actually is multiracial (Black, Venezuelan, and Irish).
Interestingly, Mariah the Scientist was actually named after Mariah Carey. Her mother was a massive fan and decided that if she ever had a daughter, she’d name her Mariah. It’s a full-circle moment, but it’s also the root of a lot of the ethnic "identity theft" rumors. People see the name, see the face, and assume the heritage is identical. It’s not.
From Biology to the Booth
To understand Mariah, you have to understand the "Scientist" part of her name. It’s not just a gimmick. Before she was selling out shows and getting engaged to Young Thug, she was Mariah Buckles, a biology major at St. John's University in New York.
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She wasn't just "interested" in science. She was on a scholarship. She wanted to be a pediatric anesthesiologist.
Basically, she was that girl who stayed in the lab while everyone else was at the party. That analytical brain didn't just disappear when she dropped out to pursue music. It’s how she writes. Her songs aren't just "I love you" or "I hate you"; they’re like dissections of a feeling. She looks at romance through a microscope.
- Real Name: Mariah Amani Buckles
- Hometown: Atlanta, GA
- Education: Southwest DeKalb High (graduated a year early)
- University: St. John's (Biology major)
She eventually left school during her junior year. It was a massive gamble. She didn't even go back for her stuff in the dorm—she just stayed in Atlanta and bet on herself.
The "Afro-Latina" Rumors
You might find some old blog posts or tweets claiming she has Venezuelan or Dominican roots. This usually happens because people conflate her with other R&B singers or misinterpret her "vibe."
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While she has collaborated with artists like Kali Uchis, there is no documented evidence or personal statement from Mariah suggesting she has Hispanic or Latino heritage. She has been very consistent about her African American lineage. Sometimes, the internet just refuses to take "I'm Black" for an answer when they’ve already built a headcanon about someone’s DNA.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're a fan trying to keep up with Mariah in 2026, here’s how to actually support the artist without getting bogged down in the "heritage" debates:
- Check the Lyrics, Not the Blogs: If you want to know who she is, listen to To Be Eaten Alive or Hearts Sold Separately. She talks about her life, her dad's "realist" perspective, and her Atlanta roots constantly.
- Respect the Agency: When an artist tells you who they are, believe them. Mariah has been vocal about her identity because she wants to be seen as a Black woman in a space that often tries to exoticize her.
- Watch the Visuals: Her aesthetic often leans into "Buckles Laboratories" themes. It’s a nod to her real last name and her scientific background.
At the end of the day, Mariah the Scientist is an Atlanta native through and through. Her ethnicity is African American, her background is pre-med, and her future is looking like one of the most dominant voices in modern R&B. She’s not trying to be a mystery; she’s just being herself.