Nas steps in to contribute, and it works well, serving to remind that Blige has always had one foot in hip-hop and one foot in the world of soul, often managing to create a sound that is particularly her own on records like What’s the 411?, Share My World, and No More Drama. She speaks about this record as an “extension of how far we’ve come,” yet she’s still navigating the pain, and when the beat kicks in on “Feel Inside”, it’s like being transported back to 1994, to Blige’s plaits and leather cap, and her recurrent themes of struggle, heartbreak, and strength – all surveyed with that amazing, peerless vocal. The call prefaces My Life II… The Journey Continues (Act 1), as she talks to the main producer of the classic predecessor, Sean Combs. My Life II is a testament to Blige’s continual growth as an artist and a woman.When a record begins with a telephone call, you know you’re in the idiosyncratic world of hip-hop soul, and luckily it has been left in the capable hands of its queen, Mary J. She’s a living example of perseverance in the music industry and in life. The album closes with the stirring ballad from The Help soundtrack, “The Living Proof,” which speaks volumes about Blige’s own life. Knowles-Carter aids Blige on the female anthem “Love a Woman.” Duets like that rarely happen these days, and the pairing of their voices is magic. Another standout is the duet with Beyonce. The mid-tempo “Don’t Mind” grooves effortlessly, as does “Why” featuring Rick Ross. Next up is the horn-heavy “25/8” which served as the album’s first single:īlige shines best on tracks that require the least force. She tackles another Chaka cover with her surprisingly good reworking of “Ain’t Nobody,” produced by Darkchild. With a Wu-Tang sample in the background, Blige sings of a love hurting from both parties’ inability to see eye to eye. The album opener, “Feel Inside,” pairs Blige with her “Love Is All We Need” guest, Nas. While many fans were disappointed with the uneven Stronger With Each Tear (2009), My Life II returns Blige to her soul-hop roots.
No longer bound by the pain that forged My Life’s melancholy movement, My Life II reflects a happier, loving Mary. My Life II is a continuation of Blige’s epic sophomore classic from 1994. On her tenth LP, Blige gives fans more of her in a sequel for the ages. Blige’s strong church-grown vocals hugged with hip-hop cadences, giving way to the hip-hop soul genre and crowning Mary as the queen of the musical kingdom. Blige released her debut album on Uptown Records. Title: My Life II: The Journey Continues (Act 1)įormats: CD (standard and deluxe editions), MP3
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