Mary J. Blige | My Life II: The Journey Continues

by **Benjamin** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 5:09 pm

Mary J. Blige Readies ‘My Life’ Sequel for September

Mary J. Blige is going back to the beginning with My Life II: The Journey Continues, the sequel to her 1994 sophomore release.

Due September 20, the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul’s 10th studio album has already produced the first single “Someone to Love Me (Naked)” featuring Diddy and Lil Wayne, and is set to include production from Kanye West, Swizz Beatz, Danja, Stargate, and The Underdogs.

The LP, recorded in Los Angeles and New York City, sees MJB 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.”

While the video for the Jerry Wonda-produced “Someone to Love Me (Naked)” has already premiered online, the Colin Tilley-directed clip will make its television debut on April 5 following BET’s “The Game.”

My Life II will serve as the follow-up to its groundbreaking predecessor, which was certified multi-platinum and spawned the singles “I’m Goin’ Down,” “Be Happy,” and “You Bring Me Joy.”

by **Sterling** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 5:35 pm

omg I really cant wait
Mary's one of the few R&B artists who's music can stand the test of time & consistently bring it!

by **emilhot** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 5:38 pm

Sounds really cool!

Though it seems a little strange that the first single is a remix of a song already released on Dirty Money's album! So i guess they will call it a buzz single in a few months, cause the great The One got that threadment! :oops:

by **alxx** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 5:38 pm

I hope this is better than her last two albums..

by **Vanti** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 5:41 pm

Best news of the year so far!!
Bring it Mary!

by **nas** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 5:46 pm

She shouldn't call it that because it won't live up to the name, My Life is her best album.

by **ludichris** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 6:02 pm

I thought that was Keyshia Cole, I need to get my eyes tested. :lol:

I liked her last album I thought it was a solid 8/10. I want this to be more like No More Drama than My Life though. That's my favorite album from her.

by **dluisboi** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 6:04 pm

I can not wait... this is my FAAAAVVEEE!!
I love the album title.. says alot about the musical direction of the project.
I don't think people are expecting itto be better than My Life... I think MJB named it that because of how Rolling Stone described the album....

"a retro album with lots of live instrumentation and soul samples"

by **Wmosi** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 6:08 pm

I hope it's better than Each Tear.It was such a step-down for her, musically.

by **arronlei** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 6:19 pm

nas wrote:She shouldn't call it that because it won't live up to the name, My Life is her best album.

by **biscuits** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 6:22 pm

I don't like it when artists name their album after a previous album. It usually happens after a flop too.

by **ForeverYoung** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 6:54 pm

I can't waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaait!!!!

by **tada** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 7:08 pm

it's set to be once again more hip-hop album, first since 2003 "Love And Life".
I guess current song is just buzz to warm up the audience 8-)

"My Life" is not likely to be toppled by we all are so full of expectations 8-)

to be honest, i don't much like sequel-name album too. But on the other hand i would love stylish and stylized cover as of original

by **tada** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 7:10 pm

Wmosi wrote:I hope it's better than Each Tear.It was such a step-down for her, musically.

i agree, it was not that bad but it lacks a real approach, it was like collection of songs.
anyway, my top fav of her 90s was "Share My World" and "My Life", so if she manages to combine the best of both the albums.....she can then have success ala "The Breakthrough Part II" 8-)

by **jio** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 7:11 pm

I hate the title. And nothing she ever did the last decade or so even came close to topping "My Life", this one won't be an exception

by **dluisboi** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 7:18 pm

jio wrote:I hate the title. And nothing she ever did the last decade or so even came close to topping "My Life", this one won't be an exception

It's clear Mary hasn't been trying to re-create or top My Life in her work from 2001-2011
Every artist has that 1 album and that was Mary's

She would have been flopping a long time ago had she tried to re-create My Life over and over.

by **jio** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 7:19 pm

What this has to do with what I said? I said nothing came close topping it, not nothing came close immitating it

by **arronlei** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 7:40 pm

dluisboi wrote:
jio wrote:I hate the title. And nothing she ever did the last decade or so even came close to topping "My Life", this one won't be an exception
It's clear Mary hasn't been trying to re-create or top My Life in her work from 2001-2011
Every artist has that 1 album and that was Mary's

She would have been flopping a long time ago had she tried to re-create My Life over and over.

I agree with what you say- MJB hasn't released anything amazing since Mary in 99. That's not to suggest that she hasn't had any great tracks since then, just no cohesive project.

I would prefer MJB create something fresh and exciting, rather than try to recreate the past (which can be evidenced by Fantasia & Jazmine, incorporating old skool into something fresh for the 21st C)

by **jio** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 7:48 pm

Yes I agree, I would like her to go to such a direction too

by **Vanti** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 8:16 pm

In my opinion, Mary J has nothing to prove to any fan or music critic. Absolutely NOTHING!
She is that Soul template that stands the test of time.
Thus she doesnt need to recreate or top "MY LIFE". Obviously she will only be reflecting back and paying homage to that part of her amazing career.

For fans and music lovers to even think she would contemplate recreating an album that made her what she is today, is a slap in the face to her artistry and who she is as a musician.

She is returning to her "MY LIFE" album sound and way of doing it, that doesnt mean she is attempting to recreate the album.

by **emilhot** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 8:20 pm

I'm not sure if it's reliable but ThatGrapeJuice put the date Sep. 20 on their site for the album. That would make sense as i think Someone To Love Me is more like an introduction to this era than a lead single. I can see a new single being out in 3 months, which might give her a single riding high on the charts when the album comes out! :wink:

by **Eamon** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 8:23 pm

I think its just an expression rather than her attempting a recreation. This is where she is in her life now and she wants to express that. I don't particularly like "The Journey Continues" bit but its nice that she is paying homage to "My Life"

I'm looking forward to hearing this cause her last two albums were very underwhelming.

by **dluisboi** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 8:39 pm

emilhot wrote:I'm not sure if it's reliable but ThatGrapeJuice put the date Sep. 20 on their site for the album. That would make sense as i think Someone To Love Me is more like an introduction to this era than a lead single. I can see a new single being out in 3 months, which might give her a single riding high on the charts when the album comes out!

Billboard, USA Today and Rap-Up confirmed it'll be released on Sept. 20th as well.

by **TheRealest** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 9:21 pm

I can't wait!

Hopefully this will be much better than her last album and I hope the rest of it isn't like "Someone to Love Me" 'cause that is WACK.

by **nas** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 9:40 pm

Remember Snoop Dogg was gonna call his latest album Doggystyle 2, then he thought better of it...