the pressure of the separation and constant press attention began to take its toll of carey. growing creative differences with producer walter afanasieff ended their working relationship, after collaborating on most of carey's previous output. the breaking point came after a heated argument during a long recording session, over the album's musical direction. carey also faced media criticism over her choice of producers and several newspapers linked carey romantically to several rappers, suggesting these relationships influenced her decisions. however, carey denied the allegations, stating she had only slept with her husband.