Is It a Crime

Not to be confused with Is It a Crime? or Iz It a Crime?.

"Is It a Crime"
Single by Mariah the Scientist and Kali Uchis
from the album Hearts Sold Separately
Released	July 31, 2025 (2025-07-31)
Genre	R&B
Length	3:01
Label	Buckles Laboratories Epic
Songwriter(s)	Mariah Buckles Karly Marina Loaiza
Producer(s)	Mat1k Nineteen85 Oliver Easton
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 R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay ( Billboard ) [11]	39
US Rhythmic ( Billboard ) [12]	27

Release history

Release formats for "Is It a Crime"

Region	Date	Format	Label	Ref.
Various	July 31, 2025	Digital download streaming	Buckles Laboratories Epic	[13]
United States	August 4, 2025	Rhythmic contemporary radio	Epic	[14]

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. 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. 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 (R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
12. "Mariah the Scientist Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
13. Mariah the Scientist & Kali Uchis - Is It a Crime, July 31, 2025, retrieved August 1, 2025
14. "Your Radio Add Recaps". Hits Daily Double . August 5, 2025. Retrieved August 6, 2025.