Mary J. Blige
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About Mary J. Blige
I know who I am and what I can do. With each album, its just me continuing to grow.
Pure, unadulterated and empowering. That has been Mary J. Bliges calling card ever since her 1992 multi-platinum debut album, Whats the 411? And in the ensuing years, the singer/songwriters musical strong suit has attracted an intensely loyal fan base responsible for propelling worldwide sales of more than 50 million albums.
With a track record of eight multi-platinum albums, nine Grammy Awards (plus a staggering 29 nominations) and four American Music Awards, Blige is only getting started. The singer returns just as fierce and compelling on her 10th studio album, the aptly titled "My Life II" The Journey Continues (Act 1). "Released via Blige"s Geffen/Interscope-distributed Matriarch label, the new project doubles as the sequel to Bliges 1994 classic My Life.
"The original My Life started a movement," reflects Blige. "And every album since then, from Share My World and No More Drama to The Breakthrough and Stronger With Each Tear, has marked a point of growth and evolution for me and my fans. Whats consistent is the fact that we all remain challenged in life to get to that next level. Thats one of the reasons for this sequel. And given the climate right now the recession, war and other issues I remembered there was so much healing with the first My Life. So that was another perspective behind my recording the album."
Blige once again fashions a moving testimony about love, devotion and inner strength. Providing the albums cornerstone is the track "Living Proof." Also the closing song for the hit movie "The Help, the spare yet powerful "Living Proof" speaks volumes about lifes hard-won rewards. It also resonates with Bliges own growth as a woman and a singer/songwriter whose innate connection with her fans is unshakable. Bearing witness is the songs second verse: "So glad the worst is over \ Cuz it almost took me out \ I can start living now \ I feel like I can do anything \ Finally Im not afraid to breathe."
"My fans and I are living examples that you can turn a negative situation into something positive," declares Blige. "Conceptually, people have heard me like this. But artistically, with just a guitar, I dont think theyve ever heard me like that before."
And Bliges artistic growth doesnt stop there. She goes toe to toe with Drake on her current uptempo chart-climber "Mr. Wrong," then displays equal doses of fervor and naked honesty, respectively, on 25/8 (sampling the late Heavy D gem "Now That We Found Love") and "No Condition." She taps her rap alter ego Brook Lynn for the romance-sparked "Midnight Drive." And as she did in 1993 with the 1975 Rufus featuring Chaka Khan hit"Sweet Thing," Blige stamps new meaning onto a dance-floor revamp of the groups 1983 classic "Aint Nobody. "Rounding out Bliges life sequel are guest turns from Nas, Busta Rhymes, Rick Ross and a first-time pairing with Beyonce on the diva-licious "Love a Woman."
"A lot of women are misunderstood and a lot of men think they know what to do. But they dont," says Blige with a laugh. "This overall topic is very important right now."
To help map our her Life journey, Blige collaborated with such intuitive producers as Jim Jonsin, Rico Love, Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis, Danja, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Sean Garrett, Tricky Stewart and the Underdogs. Whoever has the right track that grabs my spirit, moves me and goes with the topics Im coming up with " those are the producers I go for," says Blige about her creative process.
Born in the Bronx, New York, Blige began moving people with her soulful voice when at 18 she signed with Andre Harrells Uptown Records in 1989, becoming the MCA-distributed labels youngest and first female artist. Influenced at an early age by the music of Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan and Gladys Knight, Blige brought her own gritty, urban-rooted style fusing hip-hop, soul and honest, frank lyrics to the forefront on her 1992 debut album Whats the 411? The multi-platinum set, executive produced by Sean "Diddy" Combs, quickly spun off several hits, including two No. R&B No. 1s: "You Remind Mea" and "Real Love."
Earning the nickname the "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul,"Blige began forging a unique niche for herself on the more personal second album, 1994s My Life. Co-writing a major portion of the album this time around, Blige reaped such hits and signature songs as "Be Happy" and a cover of Rose Royces 1976 hit "Im Goin Down. At the time she was dealing with several serious issues in her life, including drug addiction, alcoholism and an abusive relationship.
Notes Blige, "When I went first went into the studio to work on My Life II, it occurred to me how strong Ive become since then. And that what has made me strong is not just the joy and great things happening in my life but the trials and difficulties that cause you to want to move out of that uncomfortable place to get to the next stage. With the first My Life album, I didnt have that understanding. I just did not know why I was suffering so bad, why I was hurting."
And thus began the Blige movement: connecting legions of fans who identify with and have accompanied her throughout her personal travails and growthall fearlessly related through her music. Each subsequent album reads like a chapter from an autobiography: Share My World (1997), Mary (1999), No More Drama (2001), Love & Life (2003), the multiple Grammy-winning and hit-spewing The Breakthrough (2005), Growing Pains (2007) and Stronger with Each Tear (2009). Along the way, sheas lined up a string of hit singles, including "Not Gon" Cry," "Love Is All We Need," Seven Days," "All That I Can Say," "Family Affair" and "Just Fine."
Music isnt the only thing keeping Blige busy. She is the co-founder of the Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now (FFAWN), whose mission is to empower women from all walks of life to reach their full individual potential. Flexing her talents as an entrepreneur, Blige launched her Melody line of sunglasses in 2009. In 2010, her "My Life" perfume became the first to sell more than 60,000 bottles in one day on the Home Shopping Network with $1 from each purchase donated to FFAWN. A second perfume, "My Life Blossom," was introduced in summer 2011.
Blige, who co-penned I Can See in Color for 2009s "Precious" soundtrack, is also ramping up her acting career. Shell appear next June in the Adam Shankman-directed "Rock of Ages," the theatrical version of the Tony-nominated Broadway musical with stars Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin and Catherine Zeta Jones.
As she continues her multi-faceted journey, however, one constant remains for Blige: her fans. "Being connected with their lives is what keeps me going," she says. "Theyare the reason why I am where I am: confident in knowing who I am and what I can do. With each album, its just me continuing to grow. And thats the takeaway I want for my fans with My Life II" to please look at what weve survived and how strong we are now."
Pure, unadulterated and empowering. That has been Mary J. Bliges calling card ever since her 1992 multi-platinum debut album, Whats the 411? And in the ensuing years, the singer/songwriters musical strong suit has attracted an intensely loyal fan base responsible for propelling worldwide sales of more than 50 million albums.
With a track record of eight multi-platinum albums, nine Grammy Awards (plus a staggering 29 nominations) and four American Music Awards, Blige is only getting started. The singer returns just as fierce and compelling on her 10th studio album, the aptly titled "My Life II" The Journey Continues (Act 1). "Released via Blige"s Geffen/Interscope-distributed Matriarch label, the new project doubles as the sequel to Bliges 1994 classic My Life.
"The original My Life started a movement," reflects Blige. "And every album since then, from Share My World and No More Drama to The Breakthrough and Stronger With Each Tear, has marked a point of growth and evolution for me and my fans. Whats consistent is the fact that we all remain challenged in life to get to that next level. Thats one of the reasons for this sequel. And given the climate right now the recession, war and other issues I remembered there was so much healing with the first My Life. So that was another perspective behind my recording the album."
Blige once again fashions a moving testimony about love, devotion and inner strength. Providing the albums cornerstone is the track "Living Proof." Also the closing song for the hit movie "The Help, the spare yet powerful "Living Proof" speaks volumes about lifes hard-won rewards. It also resonates with Bliges own growth as a woman and a singer/songwriter whose innate connection with her fans is unshakable. Bearing witness is the songs second verse: "So glad the worst is over \ Cuz it almost took me out \ I can start living now \ I feel like I can do anything \ Finally Im not afraid to breathe."
"My fans and I are living examples that you can turn a negative situation into something positive," declares Blige. "Conceptually, people have heard me like this. But artistically, with just a guitar, I dont think theyve ever heard me like that before."
And Bliges artistic growth doesnt stop there. She goes toe to toe with Drake on her current uptempo chart-climber "Mr. Wrong," then displays equal doses of fervor and naked honesty, respectively, on 25/8 (sampling the late Heavy D gem "Now That We Found Love") and "No Condition." She taps her rap alter ego Brook Lynn for the romance-sparked "Midnight Drive." And as she did in 1993 with the 1975 Rufus featuring Chaka Khan hit"Sweet Thing," Blige stamps new meaning onto a dance-floor revamp of the groups 1983 classic "Aint Nobody. "Rounding out Bliges life sequel are guest turns from Nas, Busta Rhymes, Rick Ross and a first-time pairing with Beyonce on the diva-licious "Love a Woman."
"A lot of women are misunderstood and a lot of men think they know what to do. But they dont," says Blige with a laugh. "This overall topic is very important right now."
To help map our her Life journey, Blige collaborated with such intuitive producers as Jim Jonsin, Rico Love, Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis, Danja, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Sean Garrett, Tricky Stewart and the Underdogs. Whoever has the right track that grabs my spirit, moves me and goes with the topics Im coming up with " those are the producers I go for," says Blige about her creative process.
Born in the Bronx, New York, Blige began moving people with her soulful voice when at 18 she signed with Andre Harrells Uptown Records in 1989, becoming the MCA-distributed labels youngest and first female artist. Influenced at an early age by the music of Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan and Gladys Knight, Blige brought her own gritty, urban-rooted style fusing hip-hop, soul and honest, frank lyrics to the forefront on her 1992 debut album Whats the 411? The multi-platinum set, executive produced by Sean "Diddy" Combs, quickly spun off several hits, including two No. R&B No. 1s: "You Remind Mea" and "Real Love."
Earning the nickname the "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul,"Blige began forging a unique niche for herself on the more personal second album, 1994s My Life. Co-writing a major portion of the album this time around, Blige reaped such hits and signature songs as "Be Happy" and a cover of Rose Royces 1976 hit "Im Goin Down. At the time she was dealing with several serious issues in her life, including drug addiction, alcoholism and an abusive relationship.
Notes Blige, "When I went first went into the studio to work on My Life II, it occurred to me how strong Ive become since then. And that what has made me strong is not just the joy and great things happening in my life but the trials and difficulties that cause you to want to move out of that uncomfortable place to get to the next stage. With the first My Life album, I didnt have that understanding. I just did not know why I was suffering so bad, why I was hurting."
And thus began the Blige movement: connecting legions of fans who identify with and have accompanied her throughout her personal travails and growthall fearlessly related through her music. Each subsequent album reads like a chapter from an autobiography: Share My World (1997), Mary (1999), No More Drama (2001), Love & Life (2003), the multiple Grammy-winning and hit-spewing The Breakthrough (2005), Growing Pains (2007) and Stronger with Each Tear (2009). Along the way, sheas lined up a string of hit singles, including "Not Gon" Cry," "Love Is All We Need," Seven Days," "All That I Can Say," "Family Affair" and "Just Fine."
Music isnt the only thing keeping Blige busy. She is the co-founder of the Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now (FFAWN), whose mission is to empower women from all walks of life to reach their full individual potential. Flexing her talents as an entrepreneur, Blige launched her Melody line of sunglasses in 2009. In 2010, her "My Life" perfume became the first to sell more than 60,000 bottles in one day on the Home Shopping Network with $1 from each purchase donated to FFAWN. A second perfume, "My Life Blossom," was introduced in summer 2011.
Blige, who co-penned I Can See in Color for 2009s "Precious" soundtrack, is also ramping up her acting career. Shell appear next June in the Adam Shankman-directed "Rock of Ages," the theatrical version of the Tony-nominated Broadway musical with stars Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin and Catherine Zeta Jones.
As she continues her multi-faceted journey, however, one constant remains for Blige: her fans. "Being connected with their lives is what keeps me going," she says. "Theyare the reason why I am where I am: confident in knowing who I am and what I can do. With each album, its just me continuing to grow. And thats the takeaway I want for my fans with My Life II" to please look at what weve survived and how strong we are now."
Latest news involving Mary J. Blige - 4 articles total
Wednesday, January 09 2013 | 178 views | 0 likes
Mary J. Blige covers the latest issue of LA Confidential magazine. In an interview, she talks about past troubles with intoxication, being molested at 5, personal life and more. KS: Well, there’s nothing noisier than a Grammy Awards show. What was winning your first Grammy in 1995 for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group like? Were you still using? Mary J. Blige: Back then? Shoot. When I got...
Videos by Mary J. Blige - 3 total
Music by Mary J. Blige - 23 total
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Jun 30
Mary J Blige Ft. Rick Ross, Wale, Stalley & Meek Mill
Genre: Hip Hop | Plays: 4433 | Likes: 2
Jun 27
Mary J. Blige (Feat. Rick Ross, Wale, Stalley & Meek Mill)
Genre: Hip Hop | Plays: 6139 | Likes: 7
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