If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or X lately, you’ve probably seen the debates. People are constantly arguing over how old Mariah the Scientist actually is. It’s kinda wild. One minute she’s being called a "young prodigy" and the next, folks are acting like she’s been in the industry for decades.
Mariah the Scientist age is 28.
She was born on October 27, 1997. That makes her a Scorpio, which—honestly—explains a lot about her intense, moody, and deeply emotional songwriting. She isn't some industry plant who popped up overnight at 19; she’s been grinding through her twenties to get to this specific spot in the R&B pantheon.
The Atlanta Roots and the Biology Scholarship
Mariah Amani Buckles didn't start out wanting to be a singer. Not really.
Growing up in Atlanta, she was actually a "science nerd" in the best way possible. She graduated from Southwest DeKalb High School a year early. Just think about that for a second. While most of us were struggling with senior prom and basic algebra, she was already heading off to New York City to study biology at St. John’s University.
She had a scholarship. She wanted to be an anesthesiologist.
But life has a funny way of shifting gears. While she was buried in textbooks in Queens, she started writing songs to deal with a messy breakup. It was basically therapy for her. She eventually dropped out in her final semester—yes, she was that close to finishing—to pursue music full-time. That’s a terrifying leap to take at 21 or 22, but looking at where she is now in 2026, it clearly paid off.
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Why Everyone Is Obsessed With Her Timeline Right Now
The reason Mariah the Scientist age keeps trending isn't just about her birthday. It's about how much life she’s packed into those 28 years.
By the time she hit 25, she had already released major projects like Master and Ry Ry World. She’d signed with Tory Lanez’s One Umbrella, moved to RCA, and eventually landed at Epic Records. That’s a lot of corporate shuffling for someone who was still technically a "new artist."
Then there’s the personal stuff.
Her relationship with Young Thug (Jeffery Williams) has been a whirlwind that the public can’t stop watching. They started dating in October 2021. She was 23 then. She stood by him through the entire YSL RICO trial, which felt like it lasted a lifetime. Now that it’s 2026, they are engaged and reportedly expecting their first child together.
Young Thug actually spilled the beans at the GQ Men of the Year event late in 2025, hinting that she might be "performing with a baby bump" during her upcoming 2026 tour.
Major Career Milestones by Age
- Age 20 (2018): Released her debut EP To Die For on SoundCloud. This is what got her noticed.
- Age 21 (2019): Dropped Master, her major-label debut. Songs like "Beetlejuice" started blowing up.
- Age 26 (2024): Released To Be Eaten Alive, which finally landed her on the Billboard 200 and secured her spot as an R&B heavyweight.
- Age 27 (2025): The "Burning Blue" era. This single became one of the biggest R&B hits of the year, hitting Top 25 on the Hot 100.
- Age 28 (2026): Launching the "Hearts Sold Separately" World Tour, her most ambitious tour yet.
The "Scientist" Moniker Is More Than a Gimmick
Some people think the name is just a "cool aesthetic." It’s not.
It’s a literal nod to her past life in the lab. But it also describes her writing style. She approaches lyrics with a sort of clinical precision. She doesn't just say she's sad; she dissects the exact chemical feeling of being betrayed.
She once told an interviewer that her mother, a huge Mariah Carey fan, named her after the legend. It’s big shoes to fill. But by 28, she’s carved out a space that is entirely her own. She’s not trying to be the next Carey; she’s busy being the first Mariah the Scientist.
Managing the 2026 "Hearts Sold Separately" Era
If you’re planning on seeing her this year, you’re looking at a woman at her absolute peak.
The Hearts Sold Separately album debuted at number one on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart. That’s a huge win. The tour starts in Paris and ends in her hometown of Atlanta on April 10, 2026.
There’s a lot of speculation about how she’ll handle the physical demands of a world tour if the pregnancy rumors are as far along as people think. But honestly? R&B fans have seen stars like Cardi B and Beyoncé dominate the stage while pregnant. Mariah seems like the type to lean into it.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re a fan or just curious about the hype, here is how to stay in the loop:
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- Check the Tour Dates: The 2026 North American leg hits major spots like Radio City Music Hall in NYC (Feb 27) and the Hollywood Palladium in LA (March 28). If you haven't grabbed tickets, the resale market is already getting pricey.
- Listen to "Burning Blue": If you only know her from the headlines about Young Thug, listen to this track. It’s the best entry point for her current sound.
- Ignore the Fakes: There are always weird rumors about her age or her background on social media. Stick to the facts: she’s 28, she’s a former biology student, and she’s currently one of the most successful independent-minded voices in the genre.
She’s spent her twenties proving she belongs here. Now that she’s heading toward 30, it looks like she’s finally getting the "legend in the making" respect she’s been chasing since those nights in the St. John’s dorms.