I Am (Mary J. Blige song)
Encyclopedia
"I Am" is a song taken from American R&B
singer-songwriter Mary J. Blige
's album Stronger with Each Tear. The song was written by Blige, Johntá Austin
, Ester Dean
, Tor Erik Hermansen, Mikkel Eriksen
with musical production from Stargate
and was released as the second single from the album.
The song "I Am" confidently tells one's lover nobody can treat them better than the person they are with at the present time. A rough/early demo version of the song was circulated on the Internet featuring Austin's vocals on the hook. The song has some noticeable similarities, in both the tune and in the lyrics to the Pussycat Dolls
song Stickwitu
in the chorus.
on December 8, 2009. It debuted on the US Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart on November 19, 2009 at number 46 based on airplay alone. It debuted on the Japan Hot 100
chart at number 92, also debuting on the US Billboard Hot 100
at number 67. Blige performed "I Am" live for the first time at the 2009 American Music Awards
on November 22, 2009. Blige also performed "I Am" on Lopez Tonight
, So You Think You Can Dance
, The Jay Leno Show
, Jimmy Kimmel Live
, A&E Television's Private Sessions
, The Today Show
, The View, The Ellen Degeneres Show
, and on The Late Show with David Letterman.
In the UK, the song was released as the first single from Stronger with Each Tear on March 1, 2010. Mary J Blige performed "I Am" on Alan Carr: Chatty Man
on March 11, 2010.
. The video premiered via vevo.com on December 8, 2009.
and since then has peaked at #55. On March 7, 2010, it entered (and peaked) on the UK Singles Chart
at #34.
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
singer-songwriter Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige
Mary Jane Blige is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B. Blige has...
's album Stronger with Each Tear. The song was written by Blige, Johntá Austin
Johnta Austin
Johntá Austin is an American singer-songwriter, who is currently signed to Jermaine Dupri's So So Def Recordings. He is commonly known for collaborating with Producers Bryan-Michael Cox, Jermaine Dupri & The Production Team StarGate. Austin was awarded two Grammy Awards for his work on the songs...
, Ester Dean
Ester Dean
Ester Renay Dean is an American singer and songwriter, and record producer signed to Zone 4 Records/Interscope Records. She is most notable for her dual appearance on Rio: Music From The Motion Picture and her 2009 US hit single "Drop It Low", which featured singer Chris Brown...
, Tor Erik Hermansen, Mikkel Eriksen
Stargate (production team)
This is a list of songs written and produced by the Norwegian production team Stargate.-Produced singles:-1999:5ive - Invincible*05. "Two Sides to Every Story"*06. "You Make Me a Better Man"Noora Noor - Curious*01. "Curious"...
with musical production from Stargate
Stargate (production team)
This is a list of songs written and produced by the Norwegian production team Stargate.-Produced singles:-1999:5ive - Invincible*05. "Two Sides to Every Story"*06. "You Make Me a Better Man"Noora Noor - Curious*01. "Curious"...
and was released as the second single from the album.
The song "I Am" confidently tells one's lover nobody can treat them better than the person they are with at the present time. A rough/early demo version of the song was circulated on the Internet featuring Austin's vocals on the hook. The song has some noticeable similarities, in both the tune and in the lyrics to the Pussycat Dolls
Pussycat Dolls
The Pussycat Dolls are an American pop girl group and dance ensemble based in Los Angeles; currently consisting of Lauren Bennett, Vanessa Curry, Kristal "Lyndriette" Smith, Tiffany "Taz" Zavala, Kia Hampton and Paula Van Oppen. The Pussycat Dolls were founded by choreographer Robin Antin in 1995...
song Stickwitu
Stickwitu
"Stickwitu" is a R&B ballad by American girl group the Pussycat Dolls from their debut album, PCD. Produced by Jimmy Iovine, Robin Antin, Ron Fair and Tal Herzberg, it was released as the album's second single in late 2005. The song is an uptempo ballad being different to their previous single...
in the chorus.
Release and promotion
"I Am" was sent to urban radio in the week beginning November 10, 2009 and was released as a digital downloadMusic download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
on December 8, 2009. It debuted on the US Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart on November 19, 2009 at number 46 based on airplay alone. It debuted on the Japan Hot 100
Japan Hot 100
The Japan Hot 100 is a music singles chart in Japan. It is compiled by Billboard and Hanshin Contents Link ever since February 2008. The chart is updated every Wednesday at billboard-japan.com and every Thursday at billboard.com ....
chart at number 92, also debuting on the US Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
at number 67. Blige performed "I Am" live for the first time at the 2009 American Music Awards
American Music Awards
-Conception:The AMAs were created by Dick Clark in 1973 to compete with the Grammys after the move of that year's show to Nashville, Tennessee led to CBS picking up the Grammy telecasts after its first two in 1971 and 1972 were broadcast on ABC...
on November 22, 2009. Blige also performed "I Am" on Lopez Tonight
Lopez Tonight
Lopez Tonight was an American late-night television talk show hosted by comedian George Lopez. The hour-long program premiered on November 9, 2009, on cable network TBS. Lopez was the first Mexican American to host a late-night talk show on an English-language network in the United States. The...
, So You Think You Can Dance
So You Think You Can Dance (season 6)
So You Think You Can Dance, also known as SYTYCD, is a United States television reality program and dance competition airing on the Fox Broadcasting Company network. Season six premiered on Wednesday, September 9, 2009, with Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy returning as permanent judges and Cat Deeley...
, The Jay Leno Show
The Jay Leno Show
The Jay Leno Show is an American comedy show created by and starring Jay Leno, that aired from September 14, 2009 to February 9, 2010 on NBC following the May 29, 2009 conclusion of Leno's first tenure as host of The Tonight Show...
, Jimmy Kimmel Live
Jimmy Kimmel Live
Jimmy Kimmel Live! is an American late-night talk show, created and hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and broadcast on ABC.The nightly hour-long show made its debut on January 26, 2003, following Super Bowl XXXVII. Jimmy Kimmel Live! is produced by Jackhole Productions in association with ABC Studios...
, A&E Television's Private Sessions
Private Sessions
Private Sessions is a television series produced by the A&E Network featuring entertainers interviewed by host Lynn Hoffman. Most guests are musicians that perform one or more of their songs during the hour-long episode, but actors also have appeared on the show.In the United States, the show...
, The Today Show
The Today Show
Today is an iconic American morning news and talk show airing every morning on NBC. Debuting on January 14, 1952, it was the first of its genre on American television and in the world. The show is also the fourth-longest running American television series...
, The View, The Ellen Degeneres Show
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
The Ellen DeGeneres Show, often shortened to Ellen, is an American television talk show hosted by comedian/actress Ellen DeGeneres. Debuting on September 8, 2003, it is produced by Telepictures and airs in syndication, including stations owned by NBC Universal. For its first five seasons, the show...
, and on The Late Show with David Letterman.
In the UK, the song was released as the first single from Stronger with Each Tear on March 1, 2010. Mary J Blige performed "I Am" on Alan Carr: Chatty Man
Alan Carr: Chatty Man
Alan Carr: Chatty Man is a British comedy chat show presented by comedian Alan Carr. The award-winning show is on Channel 4. The show features interviews with celebrity guests, sketches, topical chat and music....
on March 11, 2010.
Music video
The director for the video is Anthony MandlerAnthony Mandler
Anthony Mandler is a commercial and music video director, who has written and directed music videos for several artists. His most notable and frequent collaborator is Rihanna...
. The video premiered via vevo.com on December 8, 2009.
Chart performance
On the week ending December 26, 2009, "I Am" debuted at No. 67 on the US Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
and since then has peaked at #55. On March 7, 2010, it entered (and peaked) on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
at #34.
| Chart (2009–2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
Radio date and release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | November 24, 2009 | Airplay | Matriarch, Geffen Records Geffen Records Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:... |
| December 8, 2009 | Digital download Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... |
||
| United Kingdom | February 25, 2010 | Digital download | Polydor Records Polydor Records Polydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone... |
| March 1, 2010 | CD single |