Review

Mary J. Blige: My Life II – The Journey Continues (Polydor)

Falling in love is not always easy to do, but having followed and fallen in love with the queen of hip-hop soul, it is pretty easy. Mary J Blige releases “My Life…II – The Journey Continues”, yet again strong woman, independent female, fearless, and ever so soulful.

Mary J Blige delivers to the fans the high standards you’d expect from good ol’ Mary! Nas collaborates with MJB on the first track titled “Feel Inside”, where he raps straight off from the word go and blows the listeners mind with the sheer power in his words, passionate, truth resonating and you can certainly feel those words by Nas inside, and then Mary J Blige sings “I wanna make you happy but you just don’t see it”. It’s the same old struggles of love that this one and only queen of hip-hop soul seem to never fade away about loves rejection and insecurities but it sells records and women across the world can relate to it. Despite “Feel Inside feat. Nas” melancholy delivery lyrically, it has an upbeat groove and little is to expect from the next track.

“Midnight Drive feat. Brook Lynn” is a rarity, for one the beat is off the hook and for two Mary J Blige raps! Yes, the queen of hip-hop soul steps behind the mic and starts rapping. Maybe this isn’t her first time having ago, and we’re probably not surprised she’s now spitting rhymes, as she is the “Queen Of Hip-hop Soul” after all. Multi-talented rapper, singer she posses lioness behind her troubled voice, she offers the listener an interesting parcel to open with this album as her not only does her voice have the evident soul stamp of approval it has blues notes too. Everyone loves a bit of Busta Rhymes, “Next Level” has MJB and Busta on one track together. Its like a club track, not the best on the album, its not emotionally driven, it’s a money machine track, but will get people moving on the dance floor. Another head turner is her cover of Chaka Khan’s classic “Ain’t Nobody”, surely Mary J Blige has been wanting to do this cover for many years in her music career, she sounds scarily similar to Chaka Khan herself. The production could be a bit more interesting.

“25-8”, the album’s debut single, is amazing, simply put. It’s about her dedication to love, her man, “You ain’t gotta worry bout me, no need to question my loyalty” are some of the devoted lyrics. “Don’t Mind” has great production, solid all the way through and is the most jazzy song from the album with a neo-soul touch. “No Condition” is the least favorite from “My Life II – The Journey Continues”, it just doesn’t hit the soul like the other tracks and sounds like it could be in a Lion King movie soundtrack, which isn’t a bad thing! “Love A Woman feat. Beyonce” of course is the favorite song from this album, its classic Mary J Blige! “Empty Prayers” and “Need Someone” remind you of the just how strong this vocalist is when she sings over acoustic instruments and lays off from the heavy beat production she’s famous for.
Words MATTHEW DANIEL