The Reigning Queen of Hip-Hop Soul!
"What's the 411?" (1992)
What's the 411? is the debut album by American recording artist Mary J. Blige, released July 28, 1992. Upon being signed to Uptown Records, she began working with record producer Puff Daddy. The album spawned six singles, including "You Remind Me" and "Real Love."
What's the 411? peaked at number six on the Billboard 200 and topped the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album was certified three times Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It received generally favorable reviews from music critics, who noted Blige's strong, soulful voice. She was also praised for combining hip hop and soul music, subsequently earning her the title "Queen of Hip Hop Soul."
"What's the 411? Remix" (1993)
What's the 411? Remix is a remix album by American recording artist Mary J. Blige. The album was released on December 7, 1993 on MCA/Uptown Records. Executively produced by Sean "Puffy" Combs, What's the 411? Remix is a primarily remix album with Blige's critically acclaimed and well-received debut album being remixed, with guests and producers such as Diddy, Teddy Riley, Craig Mack, Heavy D, The Notorious B.I.G., and K-Ci Hailey. Both Craig Mack and The Notorious B.I.G. would later sign on Diddy's own imprint Bad Boy Records first rap artists, after Combs was fired from Uptown Records a year earlier. Nonethenless, the album received favorable reviews and debuted at number 118 on the US Billboard 200 and at number 22 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It is often considered by some as a precedessor to Blige's mangum opus, My Life, which will be the last album Combs produced until their collaboration nine years later on Blige's sixth studio album, Love & Life.
"My Life" (1994)
My Life is the second studio album from American R&B and soul singer Mary J. Blige, Released by Uptown/MCA Records on November 29, 1994. Recording sessions for the album began in fall of 1993 and ended almost one year later. Many of the topics on My Life deal with clinical depression, Blige's battling with both drugs and alcohol, as well as being in an abusive relationship. Similar to her debut album What's the 411?, My Life features vast production from Sean Combs, who provided a hip hop soul sound.
Considered to be her breakthrough album, My Life became Mary J. Blige's second album to reach the top ten of the Billboard 200 charts, peaking at number seven, and debuting at number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart for eight weeks. The album was nominated at the 1996 Grammy Awards for Best R&B Album, while in December of the same year, the album was certified 3x Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, for excess in sales of over three million copies.
Though receiving mostly mixed to favorable reviews upon its release, the album's reception among music critics and writers has improved over time, with some regarding it as one of the greatest albums of all time. In 2002, Blender ranked My Life number 57 on their 100 greatest American albums of all time list, in 2003, the album was ranked number 279 on Rolling Stone magazine's the 500 greatest albums of all time, and in 2006, it was included in Time's 100 greatest albums of all time list.
"Share My World" (1997)
Share My World is the third studio album by American R&B recording artist Mary J. Blige, released by MCA on April 22, 1997. The album serves as a follow-up to her Grammy-nominated critically acclaimed second album, My Life (1994). Share My World became Blige's first album to top the US Billboard 200 the week of its release, selling 317,000 copies in its opening week, while remaining atop of the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart for four weeks. It was also Blige's first UK top 40 album, peaking inside the top ten. The album spawned six singles: "Not Gon' Cry", "Love Is All We Need," "I Can Love You," "Everything," "Missing You" and "Seven Days" ("I Can Love You" was only released in the U.S., whereas "Missing You" was only released in the UK).
The album earned Blige her third Grammy Award nomination, this time for Best R&B Album. Since its release, the album has received generally favorable reviews from music critics. And is considered to be one of her signature best-selling albums in her career, and released five singles that had attained moderate Billboard R&B chart success.
"The Tour" (1998)
The Tour is live recording album by R&B singer Mary J. Blige, released July 28, 1998 (see 1998 in music). The album was recorded in many different venues during her Share My World Tour in 1997-1998 in the U.S.
"Mary" (1999)
Mary is the fourth studio album by American R&B singer Mary J. Blige, released August 17, 1999 (see 1999 in music). The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and atop the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart for three weeks. Mary received a double platinum certification in the US.
"Ballads" (2000)
Ballads is a compilation album released on December 20, 2000 by American R&B singer Mary J. Blige. It was released exclusively in Japan, which includes previously unreleased track "Overjoyed", a cover of Stevie Wonder.
"No More Drama" (2001)
No More Drama is the fifth studio album by American recording artist Mary J. Blige. The album was released on August 28, 2001 (see 2001 in music) by MCA Records in North America. The album was certified 3x Platinum. According to Billboard magazine, No More Drama has sold over 3,200,000 in the United States alone to date. Critically acclaimed, the album has received positive to favorable reviews from most music critics, debuting at number two on the U.S. Billboard 200, and opening at number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, selling 324,000 copies in its first week.[8] It has spawned four singles that has attained Billboard chart success.
"No More Drama [US Bonus Tracks]" (2001)
No More Drama is the fifth studio album by American recording artist Mary J. Blige. The album was released on August 28, 2001 (see 2001 in music) by MCA Records in North America. The album was certified 3x Platinum. According to Billboard magazine, No More Drama has sold over 3,200,000 in the United States alone to date. Critically acclaimed, the album has received positive to favorable reviews from most music critics, debuting at number two on the U.S. Billboard 200, and opening at number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, selling 324,000 copies in its first week. It has spawned four singles that has attained Billboard chart success.
"Dance for Me" (2002)
On July 22, 2002, MCA released Dance for Me, a collection of club remixes of some of her past top hits including the Junior Vasquez remix of "Your Child", and the Thunderpuss mix of "No More Drama." This album was released in a limited edition double pack 12" vinyl for DJ-friendly play in nightclubs.
"Love & Life" (2003)
Love & Life is the sixth studio album by American singer Mary J. Blige, released in the United States on August 26, 2003 (see 2003 in music) on Geffen Records. The album was primarily produced by Sean "Diddy" Combs, who executive produced her first two albums. Additional production came from Dr. Dre and The Hitmen.
The album became Blige's first album in six years to debut at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 285,298 copies in first week.[9]
Love & Life received mixed reviews from music critics.[10] Allmusic gave it 4 stars and said the album "beamed with joy" and Rolling Stone gave it three stars, saying "You may not always love Blige's music, but you will feel her".
The album was eventually certified Platinum by the RIAA. To date the album has sold over 1,000,000 copies in the U.S. and over 2,000,000 copies worldwide.[11] The album was nominated for the Best Contemporary R&B Album at the 46th Grammy Awards.
"The Breakthrough" (2005)
The Breakthrough is the seventh studio album by American R&B-soul singer Mary J. Blige, released on December 20, 2005 on Geffen Records. The album opened with over 729,000 units in the United States, becoming her highest first week sales of her career, and the second-highest first-week sales by a female R&B artist, only behind Alicia Keys' As I Am. The album is certified three-time Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. In just two weeks alone the album sold 1,000,000 copies around the world. Eventually selling 7,000,000 worldwide.
"My Collection of Love Songs Live" (2005)
My Collection of Love Songs Live was released on January 1st, 2006! An 8 track collection of Mary's love ballads Live!
"Mary J. Blige & Friends" (2006)
Mary J. Blige & Friends is a compilation album released by Mary J. Blige. It was sold exclusively in Circuit City stock, and includes tracks featuring guest artists such as Sting, Robin Thicke, and Nas. Also included was a bonus DVD that included a brief career biography, excerpts and behind the scenes views of some of her music videos, interviews with fellow collaborators, and live performances of "Can't Hide From Luv", "Family Affair", and "No More Drama".
"Reflections (A Retrospective)" (2006)
"Reflections (A Retrospective)" is a greatest hits album by American R&B singer Mary J. Blige, released in the United States on December 12, 2006 by Geffen Records. The album hasn't been certified by the RIAA but has sold 900,000 (according to the December 2009 Billboard magazine issue) copies in the United States. The album has also sold an estimated 140,000 in the United Kingdom despite only reaching a peak of number forty—this was due to consistent sales of 40k+ over the Christmas weeks. As of May 25, 2008 worldwide sales are 1,381,376.
"Growing Pains" (2007)
Growing Pains is the eighth studio album by American R&B/soul singer Mary J. Blige. The album was released on December 18, 2007 by Geffen Records. It debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 selling 629,000 copies in its first week. Growing Pains was ranked #29 on Rolling Stone's list of the Top 50 Albums of 2007.[1]
"Work That" was released as the second single on December 18, 2007 and managed to peak inside the top 20 of the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and number 65 in the Billboard Hot 100. The third official single "Stay Down" reached the top 40 R&B charts, and was chosen in favor of "Hurt Again", which was originally the third single, but eventually was only a radio single by receiving airplay in Spring 2008.
At the 2009 51st Grammy Awards it won Best Contemporary R&B Album.
"Growing Pains [Japanese Edition]" (2007)
Growing Pains is the eighth studio album by American R&B recording artist Mary J. Blige. The album was released on October 31, 2007 by Geffen Records. It debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 selling 629,000 copies in its first week. Growing Pains was ranked #29 on Rolling Stone's list of the Top 50 Albums of 2007.[1]
"Work That" was released as the second single on December 18, 2007 and managed to peak inside the top 20 of the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and number 65 in the Billboard Hot 100. The third official single "Stay Down" reached the top 40 R&B charts, and was chosen in favor of "Hurt Again", which was originally the third single, but eventually was only a radio single by receiving airplay in Spring 2008.
At the 2009 51st Grammy Awards, it won Best Contemporary R&B Album.[2]
"Stronger withEach Tear" (2009)
Stronger with Each Tear (stylized as Stronger withEach Tear) is the ninth studio album from American R&B and soul singer Mary J. Blige.[1] The album was released in the US on December 21, 2009 under Blige's own imprint Matriarch Records.[2]
Internationally it was released December 18, 2009 in Australia and Germany, December 21 in France, December 23 in Japan, and on February 2, 2010 in Korea with further international releases (in some cases re-releases) March, April, and May 2010. With this album, she landed a record of nine albums that have debuted at the top of the US R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
"My Life II: The Journey Continues (Act I)" (2011)
"My Life II: The Journey Continues - Act I" is the upcoming tenth studio album by American R&B recording artist Mary J. Blige. Titled as the sequel to her 1994 album "My Life", the album is scheduled to be released on November 21st, 2011. It was confirmed in August 2010 that Blige had begun work on her tenth studio album with Swizz Beatz, Kanye West, The Underdogs, Jerry Wonda, Jay-Z, Salaam Remi, Stargate, Maxwell, Alicia Keys, Raphael Saadiq, Ester Dean, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Ryan Leslie, Bangladesh, Johnta Austin, Eric Hudson, Q-Tip, DJ Premier, Gorilla Tek, Don Pooh, Ne-Yo and Drumma Boy. Reports claimed the album would be titled, LovHer and be released first quarter of 2011, but Mary revealed to Rap-Up.com during her "Music Saved My Life" Tour in 2010, she was in no rush to release the album and she had not given it a title as of yet. A song called "Anything You Want" featuring Busta Rhymes and Gyptian leaded on line in August 2010.
Blige revealed to MTV.com, backstage at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, that
" Swizz [Beatz] and I, [we're] in the studio cooking up something real nice." When speaking of approach to the new album it was described crafting sonic heat similar to her first two studio albums but plan to update the vintage Blige sound. "[It will be] more like a "What's the 411?" of 2012. It's headed [in] that direction but in a new [way]. Not what it used to be. Right now, it's going in the Mary direction, which is R&B and hip-hop and soul,... If it goes into the club direction, it will probably be more soulful than futuristic."
Producer-songwriter Danja, confirmed that he had been heavily involved in the new album. He said of the records he's made with Blige
" Everything that I've done feels really good. Great tracks, funky, you can dance to it. Some is a hybrid of 808s with very heartfelt, soulful piano lines on top of them. You dancing and you in the club, but you kinda feeling a certain way at the same time. Very emotional topics and kinda classic Mary in 2011."
Additionally it was revealed that singer-songwriter Kevin Cossom was also working with Blige, writing songs for her upcoming album.[15] The LP, recorded in Los Angeles, New York City and Atlanta, sees Mary looking toward the future while acknowledging the past.
" From me to you, My Life II... Our journey together continues in this life," explained Mary. "It's a gift to be able to relate and identify with my fans at all times. This album is a reflection of the times and lives of people all around me."
In May/June 2011, a track titled "Feel Inside" apparently featuring Nicki Minaj leaked online. In an interview with MTV it was revealed that the track was in fact two separate songs that the duo were respectively working on, but that someone had put together. Blige revealed that despite the fake collaboration, Minaj and Blige would be collaborating together on a song, written by Andrea Martin. "I was pissed about the leaking of the Nicki Minaj and Mary J Blige record, because that's not fair and people shouldn't do that," she said bluntly. "But I'm over it. We move on. We're going to make more hot music."
"Someone to Love Me (Naked)" featuring Diddy and Lil Wayne was released for digital download on March 29, 2011, as the album's first single. The song is actually a remix of the song "Someone to Love Me" from Diddy-Dirty Money's album Last Train to Paris. Produced by "Jerry Wonda" Duplessis and Arden "Keyz" Altino, "Someone to Love Me (Naked)" samples "You Roam When You Don't Get It At Home" performed by The Sweet Inspirations. Blige and Wayne performed the song live for the first time at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards on May 22, 2011. The song initially debuted on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart at number ninety-nine before falling off, only to return and subsequently peak at number twenty-eight.
[edit] Recorded Songs
* "Anything You Want" (featuring Busta Rhymes and Gyptian) (produced by Jerry Wonda)[11]
* "Beautiful Scars" (Written by Diane Warren)[21]
* "Feel Inside" (produced by Jerry Wonda)[21]
* "Someone to Love Me (Naked) (featuring Diddy & Lil Wayne)"
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