Mary J. Blige: My Life II…The Journey Continues (Act 1)

Mary J. Blige
My Life II…The Journey Continues (Act I)
(Geffen)

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/my-life-ii…the-journey-continues/id47844937

The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul brings signature talk of love, life and breakthrough on her tenth studio album, My Life II…The Journey Continues (Act 1).

Comparisons to My Life, her classic 1994 album, will naturally manifest. However, “It’s not a competitor. It’s a sequel. An extension of how far we’ve come,” the singer says in the intro with producer Sean “Puffy” Combs. All the same, the production is still tight, lyrical content stays true, with requisite cameos (Nas, Drake, Busta Rhymes, Rick Ross and Beyonce), but there’s something different about Mary this time around. Something even more engaging: a more confident, a more secure and loving Mary. She still talks of pain but she sort of glows throughout most of these songs, truly knowing she’s better for everything she’s gone through.

On second single release, “25/8” and cut-for-radio hit “Don’t Mind,” the singer speaks about there not being enough time in the day to love her man, and how she does not mind saying how much she loves her man. Mary’s in a happy place. Even when talking about “Mr. Wrong” with Drake. “This is Mary J. Blige and this is her life.” And her fans will only continue to love her for sharing the good, the bad and the ugly aspects of it.