Is It a Crime

"Is It a Crime"
Single by Mariah the Scientist and Kali Uchis
from the album Hearts Sold Separately
ReleasedJuly 31, 2025 (2025-07-31)
GenreR&B
Length3:01
Label
  • Buckles Laboratories
  • Epic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Mariah the Scientist singles chronology
"Burning Blue"
(2025) 		"Is It a Crime"
(2025)
Kali Uchis singles chronology
"All I Can Say"
(2025) 		"Is It a Crime"
(2025)

"Is It a Crime" is a song by American singer-songwriters Mariah the Scientist and Kali Uchis. It was released on July 31, 2025, as the second single from Mariah's fourth studio album Hearts Sold Separately.[1]

Composition

"Is It a Crime" is an R&B song with Latin-tinged production that lasts for three minutes and one second long.[2][3] Lyrically, Mariah and Uchis question whether falling in love again is "a crime", wrestling with the idea of second chances in love.[2] The song’s title and subject deliberately echo Sade's 1985 ballad of the same name: Aaron Williams of Uproxx noted that the duet serves as a homage to classic R&B themes of "forbidden love", even though it does not directly sample the original.[4]

Critical reception

Gabriel Bras Nevares of HotNewHipHop praised the track's "sultry and ethereal" atmosphere and noted that both artists deliver "compelling performances" despite its minimalist production.[5] Nevares also stated that the song "[meets] the expected quality standard" for the R&B genre.[5] In a review for The Source, the track was praised as an "emotional banger", with a critic highlighting the song's "sweet spot between soft confession and bold proclamation" and noting the late-night appeal of its chorus.[6]

Charts

Chart performance for "Is It a Crime"
Chart (2025) Peak
position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[7] 10
South Africa (TOSAC)[8] 29
US Billboard Hot 100[9] 62
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[10] 16
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[11] 31

Release history

Release formats for "Is It a Crime"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various July 31, 2025
  • Buckles Laboratories
  • Epic
 [12]
United States August 4, 2025 Rhythmic contemporary radio Epic [13]

References

  1. ^ Strauss, Matthew (July 31, 2025). "Listen to Mariah the Scientist and Kali Uchis' New Song "Is It a Crime"". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  2. ^ a b Trapp, Malcolm. "Mariah The Scientist And Kali Uchis Ask "Is It a Crime" To Fall In Love Again On New Single". Rap-Up. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  3. ^ Is It a Crime by Mariah the Scientist & Kali Uchis on Apple Music, retrieved August 1, 2025
  4. ^ Williams, Aaron (July 31, 2025). "Mariah The Scientist & Kali Uchis Sing 'Is It A Crime?' On New Song". Uproxx. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  5. ^ a b Nevares, Gabriel Bras (July 31, 2025). "Mariah The Scientist & Kali Uchis Link Up For Smooth New Single "Is It A Crime"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  6. ^ "Mariah The Scientist and Kali Uchis Ignite the Feels with New Track "Is It a Crime"". The Source. July 31, 2025. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  7. ^ "Official Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. August 8, 2025. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  8. ^ "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 50 Week 32-2025". The Official South African Charts. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  9. ^ "Mariah the Scientist Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  10. ^ "Mariah the Scientist Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  11. ^ "Mariah the Scientist Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
  12. ^ Mariah the Scientist & Kali Uchis - Is It a Crime, July 31, 2025, retrieved August 1, 2025
  13. ^ "Your Radio Add Recaps". Hits Daily Double. August 5, 2025. Retrieved August 6, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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