There isn’t a dedicated Hip Hop fan alive who doesn’t remember the standout guest vocals from Mary J. Blige on Method Man’s 1995 smash hit “I’ll Be There For You/You’re All I Need To Get By.” The undeniable air of cool she exuded as she sang alongside one of Wu-Tang Clan’s most infamous members was unforgettable. Twenty-three years later, the Queen of Hip Hop Soul has a litany of classic albums under her belt, including What’s The 411, My Life, Share My World and Mary. Each project played like a deeply emotional, sonic diary she used to purge every raw emotion she was experiencing. From substance abuse and depression to a string of failed relationships, her life circumstances provided enough fuel to sustain her fairly consistent artistic output.
While she may have quelled her drug addiction and alcoholism, the Bronx native’s 13th studio album, Strength of a Woman, finds her tackling a familiar subject — the dissolution of another relationship. This time, however, the stakes are much higher. In July 2016, Blige announced she was divorcing her husband of 13 years, Kendu Isaacs, after she discovered he allegedly spent over $400,000 on a mistress and had been unfaithful for years. Her estranged ex and former manager is reportedly seeking spousal support, which could result in an ugly court battle in the near future.
Therefore, Strength of a Woman comes at a pivotal time in her life, as she learns how to be alone again for the first time in over a decade. Beginning with “Love Yourself” featuring Kanye West, the 14-track confessional swings from feelings of empowerment (“Glow Up” featuring DJ Khaled, Missy Elliott and Quavo) to moments of defeat (“It’s Me”) to just every other emotion in between, including anger.
On “Set Me Free,” she sings, “There’s a special place in hell for you/you gonna to pay for what you did to me/I’m gonna tell you/because the truth will set me free,” words that evoke an image of the scorned singer sitting in her studio furiously jotting down the lyrics while she attempts to make sense of her crumbling marriage. The track also offers up one of the most telling lines of the project when she says, “And what I found out ‘bout you was enough to go insane/all this time to think that you were just here for my name,” which must have been an excruciating realization that the person she thought would be with her ’til death do they part was seemingly using her to fulfill his own selfish interests.
Pain is practically synonymous with art, so it’s not surprising Blige has delivered another round of raw, gritty and emotionally transparent songwriting. Penning the album was likely just as beneficial for her as it is for her fans who get to listen to it. Musically, “Telling The Truth,” produced by Kaytranada and BADBADNOTGOOD, is one of the most sonically enticing with its stripped down drums and slow, syrupy soul essence. Album closer, the funky “Hello Father,” ends the 57-minute journey on a spiritual note and reveals her means to salvation — her belief in something greater than herself, which is sometimes the only way to survive such a traumatic event.
Despite the self-empowerment theme of the album intro, the aforementioned “Love Yourself” with ‘Ye, it’s easy to question if she’s truly as strong as she’s trying to portray. Anyone who’s suffered through a humiliating and extremely public breakup presumably spends at least a few nights crying themselves to sleep. For the 46-year-old powerhouse, however, it’s clear music is her catharsis and Strength of a Woman will inadvertently not only help her muster up the courage to carry on but will also inspire her fans to do the same.
The queen is back, and she ain’t taking no prisoners.
Congrats To You Queen Mary J Blige ?
Your Gna Do It ?
I’m so Proud of You For You are Gna Break the Record Sales. You Have Worked So Hard On This Particular Album and You Deserve for What You Have Been Going Through Your Hard Tuff & Bad Tribulations. You are a Strong Warrior and You gotta Keep Climbing
You are Such a Beautiful Woman and I Pray that this Will Turnout the Biggest Seller for Your Hard Work has been Contributed to Yourself & Your Fans You are a Hard Worker and I Admire You for NOT Being a Quitter. Keep Climbing for Soon You Will Have Peace Of Mind. Hold Your Head Up High & I Pray that You Will Achieve Your Goal and Hard Work. BE YOU and Love Yourself ❤
I Love you Mary Keep Those songs flowing
#StrengthofaWoman ?
#1Fan ?❤?⚘??
She never left just Came harder with all that bs out of the way; thats how life goes. CANT HOLD A GOODWOMAN Down…(every queen needs a king) nothing less???
This album is incrediable!!! I thought her prior label held her back but all along it was Kendu.Mary is talented and I love her dearly. But sometimes he have to go through things so God can bring you back.Mary J Blige never left but Mary did.I have 5 copies of the album and s signed autograph one.Get your copy..
Hold on, they let some white bitch rate Mary’s album, and this same soulless white bitch gave her 10 album a 3.7. Fuck you bitch this album is fire.
First of all, this review is super positive. Did you even read it? Doesn’t sound like it BITCH. And not quite sure what someone skin’s color has to do with the ability to listen to music objectively. You sound like yet another salty internet troll upset that their life sucks.
The rating is 3.7 out of 5, not 10 dumbass.
You just clowned yourself with your ignorant ass post. First of all, melanin or lack there of doesn’t have shit to do with anything, Secondly, it’s a 3.7 out of FIVE, not TEN, you moron. Learn how to read before trying to sound smart and talking shit. Don’t let your post mislead you into thinking anyone gives a shit what you think. This “soulless white bitch” is getting paid to write about your favorite “fire” album. Go find someone that cares to talk shit about, because I doubt this author does.
Amazing woman amazing album
This album is hot and very up lifting for the soul if you been in this place where u give yo all and the man u marry do thing like this it can be wounding so its like we are in this together MJB
Twinz got the sound that go round and round
(round and round)
Twinz got the sound that go round and round
(round and round)
I declined to leave a rating for this album because I haven’t listened to it.
I love the album she did her thing
Oh Mary… back with the drama
This is a mature MJB who understands that she must first love herself in order to love another. With this album she takes her hurt and pain and uses it in a positive way…. as she experiences all of the various feelings associated with being betrayed. Marriage is a covenant unlike being a regular relationship…. when you are betrayed it cuts deep. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed the CD it is inspiring, uplifting and empowering. I give it 10+ I experienced and went through the same thing and to emerge from that place whole and intact is a miracle. If you never been there you will never truly understand…. I pray most have not!!!
5/5
This has been five years MJB had to go through and based on my experience and having my life on display five years and walking through the pain … She good!
Yes she is as strong as she presents, and yes she might have some feelings come back, but she is in a place of peace and wellness in her spirit and soul knowing despite his actions, she did her part. God got her and when God is for you who then can stand against you, no one. Again, marriage is different from shacking up and play house no offense to anyone, but it is different!!!!
5/5
5/5 AZZHOLES