"I Can Love You" is a 1997 song by R&B

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 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...

. Produced by Rodney Jerkins

Rodney Jerkins

Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins is an American songwriter, record producer, and musician. Jerkins received two Grammy nominations in 2011.-Biography:...

, and featuring a rap cameo by Lil' Kim

Lil' Kim

Kimberly Denise Jones , better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper and actress who was a member of the group Junior M.A.F.I.A.....

, it was released as the second single from Blige's third album, Share My World

Share My World

Share My World is the third studio album by American R&B singer-songwriter Mary J. Blige, released by MCA Records on April 23, 1997. The album serves as a follow-up to her Grammy-nominated critically acclaimed second album, My Life...

.

Overview

In addition to featuring Lil Kim herself, the song also features a sample of the song, "Queen Bitch," a track from Kim's debut album Hard Core. "I Can Love You" is also notable for being one of producer Rodney Jerkins' earliest hits.

Release and reaction

"I Can Love You" was issued as a radio-only promotional single single in America. Ultimately, it peaked at number two on the R&B singles chart and number twenty-eight on the American pop chart. In the UK

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

, the song was released as the b-side to "Missing You

Missing You (Mary J. Blige song)

"Missing You" is a R&B song written and produced by Babyface, who produced the song for singer Mary J. Blige, who released it as the third UK single from her Share My World album, released in late 1997....

".

Music video

The music video was shot in June 1997 at a house and forest, Mary and other people are partying and having fun in the video

Chart performance

Chart (1997)	Peak position
US Billboard Hot 100	21
U.S. Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs	2

Personnel

• Lead vocals by Mary J. Blige
• Background vocals by Mary J. Blige and LaTonya Blige-DaCosta
• Rap written and performed by Lil' Kim
  Lil' Kim
  Kimberly Denise Jones , better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper and actress who was a member of the group Junior M.A.F.I.A.....
  
  
• Produced by Rodney Jerkins
  Rodney Jerkins
  Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins is an American songwriter, record producer, and musician. Jerkins received two Grammy nominations in 2011.-Biography:...