Mary J. Blige

Released: November 29, 1994

Songwriter: Keith Murray Diddy Chucky Thompson Allie Wrubel Nashiem Myrick

Producer: Chucky Thompson Diddy Nashiem Myrick

[Keith Murray]
Ayo, catch this wordage bubonic plague
In your head, back, chest, arms, and legs
When I'm coming through, grab your cranium for alternatum, son
I faze subterranium
My subliminals mix with criminal chemicals
Got more milky syllables...

[Puff Daddy]
Yo, Chuck, throw on some of that smooth shit, man...

Mary Jane Blige (b. Jan 11 1971) grew up in the projects of Yonkers, New York. A random decision to record a cover of “Caught Up in the Rapture” by Anita Baker in a pop-up recording booth at a mall led MJB to getting signed by Uptown Entertainment. After providing background vocals on Father MC’s hit single “I’ll Do 4 U” in 1990, a young intern at Uptown named Sean “Puffy” Combs ended up executive producing Mary’s 1992 debut album What’s The 411?. Fusing hip-hop beats with Mary’s soulful voice earned her the nickname “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul”.

She followed up her debut with a string of critically acclaimed albums, including 1994’s My Life and 1997’s Share My World, as well as hit singles such as “Not Gon' Cry,” “Family Affair,” “Be Without You,” and “Just Fine.”

She also collaborated with rappers on a number of tracks, including Jay-Z’s “Can’t Knock the Hustle,” Ghostface Killah’s “All That I Got is You,” Wyclef’s “911,” Common’s “Come Close,” and Method Man’s “I’ll Be There for You/All I Need to Get By,” which was a platinum hit and won the two of them a Grammy Award in 1996 for Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group.

more tracks from the album

My Life

From the album

My Life (1994)

Mary J. Blige popular songs

K. Murray InterludeMary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige

My Life