My Life (Mary J. Blige album)
Encyclopedia
My Life is the second studio album
from American R&B
and soul
singer Mary J. Blige
, Released by Uptown
/MCA Records
on November 29, 1994. Recording sessions for the album began in fall of 1993 and ended almost one year later. Many of the topics on My Life deal with clinical depression, Blige's battling with both drugs and alcohol, as well as being in an abusive relationship. Similar to her debut album What's the 411?
, My Life features vast production from Sean Combs
, who provided a hip hop soul
sound.
Considered to be her breakthrough album, My Life became Mary J. Blige's second album to reach the top ten of the Billboard 200
charts, peaking at number seven, and debuting at number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
chart for eight weeks. The album was nominated at the 1996 Grammy Awards
for Best R&B Album
, while in December of the same year, the album was certified 3x Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, for excess in sales of over three million copies. and won the Billboard Music Award
for Best R&B Album.
Though receiving mostly mixed to favorable reviews upon its release, the album's reception among music critics and writers has improved over time, with some regarding it as one of the greatest albums of all time. In 2002, Blender
ranked My Life number 57 on their 100 greatest American albums of all time list, in 2003, the album was ranked number 279 on Rolling Stone
magazine's the 500 greatest albums of all time
, and in 2006, it was included in Time
s 100 greatest albums of all time list.
The sequel to the album, My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1)
, is scheduled to be released on November 21, 2011.
, and a remixed version
in 1993, Blige went into the recording studio in the fall of 1993 to record her second album, My Life. The album was a breakthrough for Blige, who at this point was in a clinical depression, battling both drugs and alcohol, as well as being in an abusive relationship with K-Ci Hailey, which was reported in several tabloids. In this period, Blige would once again dominate the charts with her singles: the Top 40 hit "Be Happy
", a cover version
of Rose Royce
's 1977 hit "I'm Goin' Down
", and "Mary Jane (All Night Long)
", an elucidation of the Mary Jane Girls
' "All Night Long", Rick James
's "Mary Jane", and Teddy Pendergrass
's hit "Close the Door". The album uses primary soul samples from R&B musicians such as Curtis Mayfield
, Roy Ayers
, Al Green
, Teddy Pendergrass, Marvin Gaye, Barry White, Rick James, and his protegès, the Mary Jane Girls.
Other memorable songs include a cover version of Aretha Franklin
's hit single "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
", "You Bring Me Joy
" (which samples "It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next To Me
" by Barry White
) and "My Life
," alongside an official remix version of the song "Be With You", which features Lauryn Hill
rapping on the introduction and closing verses. (In 1998, Lauryn Hill
would duet with Blige on the hip hop soul
ballad
"I Used to Love Him" on Hill's album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
.)
She has annouced that her sequel to the album, My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1)
, is scheduled to be released on November 21, 2011 under Blige's label, Matriarch Records and Geffen Records
.
, peaking at #7, quickly selling a successful 200,000 copies in its first week of sales, and atop the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart
at #1 for eight consecutive weeks. It eventually was the most successful R&B album on the Billboard Year-End
chart for 1995. Singles from the album that have been released so far:
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
from American 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...
and soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
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...
, Released by Uptown
Uptown Records
Uptown Records was an American record label, founded by Andre Harrell in 1986. It went on to become one of the most popular Hip-Hop and R&B labels of the late 1980's and early 1990s. Featured on the roster were such luminaries as Guy, Heavy D & The Boyz, Jodeci, Mary J. Blige, and Soul for Real...
/MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
on November 29, 1994. Recording sessions for the album began in fall of 1993 and ended almost one year later. Many of the topics on My Life deal with clinical depression, Blige's battling with both drugs and alcohol, as well as being in an abusive relationship. Similar to her debut album What's the 411?
What's the 411?
What's the 411? is the debut album by American recording artist Mary J. Blige, released July 28, 1992. Upon being signed to Uptown Records, she began working with record producer Puff Daddy. The album spawned six singles, including "You Remind Me" and "Real Love".What's the 411? peaked at number...
, My Life features vast production from Sean Combs
Sean Combs
Sean John Combs , also known by his stage names Diddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally...
, who provided a hip hop soul
Hip hop soul
Hip hop soul is sub-genre of contemporary R&B which fuses R&B, neo soul and dance elements with hip hop. The term did not originate until the promotion for Mary J. Blige's debut album What's the 411? in 1992 when Uptown Records proclaimed her to be the "Queen of Hip Hop Soul" and generally...
sound.
Considered to be her breakthrough album, My Life became Mary J. Blige's second album to reach the top ten of the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
charts, peaking at number seven, and debuting at number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999...
chart for eight weeks. The album was nominated at the 1996 Grammy Awards
Grammy Awards of 1996
The 38th Grammy Awards were held on February 28, 1996. The awards recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year. Alanis Morissette was the night's big winner, scoring four trophies, including Album of the Year.-Award winners:...
for Best R&B Album
Grammy Award for Best R&B Album
The Grammy Award for Best R&B Album is an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality works on albums in the R&B music genre...
, while in December of the same year, the album was certified 3x Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, for excess in sales of over three million copies. and won the Billboard Music Award
Billboard Music Award
The Billboard Music Award is an honor given by Billboard magazine, the preeminent publication covering the music business. The Billboard Music Awards show had been held annually in December until it went dormant in 2007, but it returned in May 2011...
for Best R&B Album.
Though receiving mostly mixed to favorable reviews upon its release, the album's reception among music critics and writers has improved over time, with some regarding it as one of the greatest albums of all time. In 2002, Blender
Blender (magazine)
Blender was an American music magazine that billed itself as "the ultimate guide to music and more". It was also known for sometimes steamy pictorials of celebrities....
ranked My Life number 57 on their 100 greatest American albums of all time list, in 2003, the album was ranked number 279 on Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
magazine's the 500 greatest albums of all time
The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
"The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time" is the title of a 2003 special issue of American magazine Rolling Stone, and a related book published in 2005.Related news articles:...
, and in 2006, it was included in Time
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
s 100 greatest albums of all time list.
The sequel to the album, My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1)
My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1)
My Life II... The Journey Continues is the tenth studio album by American R&B recording artist Mary J. Blige. Titled as the sequel to her 1994 album My Life, the album was released on November 21, 2011.-Background:...
, is scheduled to be released on November 21, 2011.
Overview
Following the success of her debut album, What's the 411?What's the 411?
What's the 411? is the debut album by American recording artist Mary J. Blige, released July 28, 1992. Upon being signed to Uptown Records, she began working with record producer Puff Daddy. The album spawned six singles, including "You Remind Me" and "Real Love".What's the 411? peaked at number...
, and a remixed version
What's the 411? Remix
-Chart performance:- References :...
in 1993, Blige went into the recording studio in the fall of 1993 to record her second album, My Life. The album was a breakthrough for Blige, who at this point was in a clinical depression, battling both drugs and alcohol, as well as being in an abusive relationship with K-Ci Hailey, which was reported in several tabloids. In this period, Blige would once again dominate the charts with her singles: the Top 40 hit "Be Happy
Be Happy (song)
"Be Happy" is a song co-written and performed by American R&B recording artist Mary J. Blige. Alongside Blige, the song was written with Chucky Thompson, Diddy, Arlene DelValle and J.C. Olivier, and produced by both Thompson and Combs. The song is featured on her second album, My Life...
", a cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of Rose Royce
Rose Royce
Rose Royce is an American soul and R&B band. The group is best known for several hit singles including "Car Wash," "I Wanna Get Next to You," "Wishing on a Star", "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" and "I'm Going Down".-Career:...
's 1977 hit "I'm Goin' Down
I'm Going Down (Rose Royce song)
"I'm Going Down" is a Grammy Award-nominated 1977 R&B single written and produced by the late American singer-songwriter Norman Whitfield, as performed by R&B/soul band Rose Royce, the single is from the film, Car Wash and is featured on the film's soundtrack...
", and "Mary Jane (All Night Long)
Mary Jane (All Night Long)
"Mary Jane " is a 1995 single by American R&B singer Mary J. Blige, taken from her second album, My Life. The song samples the Mary Jane Girls' "All Night Long", Rick James' "Mary Jane", and Teddy Pendergrass' classic single "Close the Door". The official remix features LL Cool J...
", an elucidation of the Mary Jane Girls
Mary Jane Girls
The Mary Jane Girls were an American R&B, soul, funk and disco group in the 1980s. They were protégées of singer Rick James. They are known for their hit songs "All Night Long", "Candyman" and "In My House".-Formation:...
' "All Night Long", Rick James
Rick James
James Ambrose Johnson, Jr. , better known by his stage name Rick James, was an American singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. James was a popular performer in the late 1970s and 1980s, scoring four number-one hits on the U.S. R&B charts performing in the genres of funk and R&B...
's "Mary Jane", and Teddy Pendergrass
Teddy Pendergrass
Theodore DeReese "Teddy" Pendergrass was an American R&B/soul singer and songwriter. Pendergrass first rose to fame as lead singer of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes in the 1970s before a successful solo career at the end of the decade...
's hit "Close the Door". The album uses primary soul samples from R&B musicians such as Curtis Mayfield
Curtis Mayfield
Curtis Lee Mayfield was an American soul, R&B, and funk singer, songwriter, and record producer.He is best known for his anthemic music with The Impressions during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's and for composing the soundtrack to the blaxploitation film Super Fly, Mayfield is highly...
, Roy Ayers
Roy Ayers
Roy Ayers is an American funk, soul, and jazz composer and vibraphone player. Ayers began his career as a post-bop jazz artist, releasing several albums with Atlantic Records, before his tenure at Polydor Records beginning in the 1970s, during which he helped pioneer jazz-funk .- Biography :Ayers...
, Al Green
Al Green
Albert Greene , better known as Al Green, is an American gospel and soul music singer. He reached the peak of his popularity in the 1970s, with hit singles such as "You Oughta Be With Me", "I'm Still In Love With You", "Love and Happiness", and "Let's Stay Together"...
, Teddy Pendergrass, Marvin Gaye, Barry White, Rick James, and his protegès, the Mary Jane Girls.
Other memorable songs include a cover version of Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All...
's hit single "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
(You Make Me Feel like) a Natural Woman
" A Natural Woman" is a 1967 single released by American soul singer Aretha Franklin on the Atlantic label. The record was a big hit for Franklin, reaching number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, and became a standard song for her...
", "You Bring Me Joy
You Bring Me Joy
"You Bring Me Joy" is a hip hop soul song written by American recording artist Mary J. Blige, Sean "Puffy" Combs, Chucky Thompson, and Joel "Jo-Jo" Hailey , for Mary J. Blige's 1994 sophomore studio album, My Life...
" (which samples "It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next To Me
It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next To Me
"It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next to Me" was a hit song by Barry White. The song was written by Ekundayo Paris and Nelson Pigford. Similar to the initial reaction after first hearing his earlier hit "You're the First, the Last, My Everything", when those close to White heard the demo of "It's...
" by Barry White
Barry White
Barry White, born Barry Eugene Carter , was an American composer and singer-songwriter.A five-time Grammy Award-winner known for his distinctive bass voice and romantic image, White's greatest success came in the 1970s as a solo singer and with the Love Unlimited Orchestra, crafting many enduring...
) and "My Life
My Life (Mary J. Blige song)
"My Life" is a song co-written and performed by American R&B artist Mary J. Blige and the title track off her critically acclaimed second studio album. It samples heavily from the song "Everybody Loves the Sunshine" by Roy Ayers...
," alongside an official remix version of the song "Be With You", which features Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Noelle Hill is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress.Early in her career, she established her reputation as a member of the Fugees. In 1998, she launched her solo career with the release of the commercially successful and critically acclaimed album, The Miseducation of...
rapping on the introduction and closing verses. (In 1998, Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Noelle Hill is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress.Early in her career, she established her reputation as a member of the Fugees. In 1998, she launched her solo career with the release of the commercially successful and critically acclaimed album, The Miseducation of...
would duet with Blige on the hip hop soul
Hip hop soul
Hip hop soul is sub-genre of contemporary R&B which fuses R&B, neo soul and dance elements with hip hop. The term did not originate until the promotion for Mary J. Blige's debut album What's the 411? in 1992 when Uptown Records proclaimed her to be the "Queen of Hip Hop Soul" and generally...
ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
"I Used to Love Him" on Hill's album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is the debut solo album by American musician Lauryn Hill, released August 25, 1998, on Columbia Records. Recording sessions for the album took place from late 1997 to June 1998, and were held primarily at Tuff Gong Studios in Jamaica...
.)
She has annouced that her sequel to the album, My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1)
My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1)
My Life II... The Journey Continues is the tenth studio album by American R&B recording artist Mary J. Blige. Titled as the sequel to her 1994 album My Life, the album was released on November 21, 2011.-Background:...
, is scheduled to be released on November 21, 2011 under Blige's label, Matriarch Records and 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:...
.
Chart performance
My Life was released in the United States on November 28, 1994, and debuted on January 14, 1995 on the Billboard 200Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
, peaking at #7, quickly selling a successful 200,000 copies in its first week of sales, and atop the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999...
at #1 for eight consecutive weeks. It eventually was the most successful R&B album on the Billboard Year-End
Billboard Year-End
Billboard Year-End charts are a cumulative measure of a single or album's performance in the United States, based upon the Billboard magazine charts during any given chart year. Billboard's "chart year" runs from the first week of December to the final week in November...
chart for 1995. Singles from the album that have been released so far:
- "Be HappyBe Happy (song)"Be Happy" is a song co-written and performed by American R&B recording artist Mary J. Blige. Alongside Blige, the song was written with Chucky Thompson, Diddy, Arlene DelValle and J.C. Olivier, and produced by both Thompson and Combs. The song is featured on her second album, My Life...
" - the album's lead single, was released within a month of after the release of "My Life", peaked at #6 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop SongsHot R&B/Hip-Hop SongsHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
and at #29 on the Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100The 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...
.
- "Mary Jane (All Night Long)Mary Jane (All Night Long)"Mary Jane " is a 1995 single by American R&B singer Mary J. Blige, taken from her second album, My Life. The song samples the Mary Jane Girls' "All Night Long", Rick James' "Mary Jane", and Teddy Pendergrass' classic single "Close the Door". The official remix features LL Cool J...
" - the second single overall, debuting at #37 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop SongsHot R&B/Hip-Hop SongsHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
at #39 on the Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100The 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...
.
- "I'm Going DownI'm Going Down (Rose Royce song)"I'm Going Down" is a Grammy Award-nominated 1977 R&B single written and produced by the late American singer-songwriter Norman Whitfield, as performed by R&B/soul band Rose Royce, the single is from the film, Car Wash and is featured on the film's soundtrack...
" - A cover version of Rose Royce's 1977 hit, the song debuted at #22 on the Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100The 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 #13 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop SongsHot R&B/Hip-Hop SongsHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
.
- "You Bring Me JoyYou Bring Me Joy"You Bring Me Joy" is a hip hop soul song written by American recording artist Mary J. Blige, Sean "Puffy" Combs, Chucky Thompson, and Joel "Jo-Jo" Hailey , for Mary J. Blige's 1994 sophomore studio album, My Life...
" - the fourth single, released in May 1995, debuted at #57 on the Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100The 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 #29 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop SongsHot R&B/Hip-Hop SongsHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
.
Track listing
Samples
- "Mary Jane (All Night Long)" samples "All Night Long" by Mary Jane GirlsMary Jane GirlsThe Mary Jane Girls were an American R&B, soul, funk and disco group in the 1980s. They were protégées of singer Rick James. They are known for their hit songs "All Night Long", "Candyman" and "In My House".-Formation:...
and "Close the Door" by Teddy PendergrassTeddy PendergrassTheodore DeReese "Teddy" Pendergrass was an American R&B/soul singer and songwriter. Pendergrass first rose to fame as lead singer of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes in the 1970s before a successful solo career at the end of the decade... - "You Bring Me Joy" samples "It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next to Me" by Barry WhiteBarry WhiteBarry White, born Barry Eugene Carter , was an American composer and singer-songwriter.A five-time Grammy Award-winner known for his distinctive bass voice and romantic image, White's greatest success came in the 1970s as a solo singer and with the Love Unlimited Orchestra, crafting many enduring...
- "I'm The Only Woman" samples "Give Me Your Love" by Curtis MayfieldCurtis MayfieldCurtis Lee Mayfield was an American soul, R&B, and funk singer, songwriter, and record producer.He is best known for his anthemic music with The Impressions during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's and for composing the soundtrack to the blaxploitation film Super Fly, Mayfield is highly...
and "For the Love of Money" by The O'JaysThe O'JaysThe O'Jays are an American R&B group from Canton, Ohio, formed in 1963 and originally consisting of Eddie Levert , Walter Williams , William Powell , Bobby Massey and Bill Isles. The O'Jays were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004, and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005... - "K. Murray Interlude" contains a portion of "Who Shot Ya" by The Notorious B.I.G.The Notorious B.I.G.Christopher George Latore Wallace , best known as The Notorious B.I.G., was an American rapper. He was also known as Biggie Smalls , Big Poppa, and The Black Frank White .Wallace was raised in the Brooklyn borough...
- "My Life" samples "Everybody Loves The Sunshine" by Roy AyersRoy AyersRoy Ayers is an American funk, soul, and jazz composer and vibraphone player. Ayers began his career as a post-bop jazz artist, releasing several albums with Atlantic Records, before his tenure at Polydor Records beginning in the 1970s, during which he helped pioneer jazz-funk .- Biography :Ayers...
- "Don't Go" samples "Goodbye" by Guy, "Stay with Me" by DeBargeDeBargeDeBarge was a sibling music group of American origin whose repertoire included R&B, soul, funk, and later gospel. Active as a professional recording group from 1979 and 1989, the group was one of the few recording acts to bring success to the Motown label during the 1980s.-Background:Hailing from...
, "Brazilian Rhyme (Beijo)" by Earth, Wind & FireEarth, Wind & FireEarth, Wind & Fire is an American soul and R&B band formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 1969 by Verdine and Maurice White. Also known as EWF, the band has won six Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards. They have been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of...
, and "Speak to My Heart" by the New York Restoration Choir featuring Donnie McClurkinDonnie McClurkinDonald Andrew McClurkin, Jr. is an American gospel music singer and minister. He has won three Grammy awards, ten Stellar awards, two BET awards, two Soul Train awards, one Dove award and one NAACP Image award for his work.... - "I Love You" samples "Ike's Mood" by Isaac HayesIsaac HayesIsaac Lee Hayes, Jr. was an American songwriter, musician, singer and actor. Hayes was one of the creative influences behind the southern soul music label Stax Records, where he served both as an in-house songwriter and as a record producer, teaming with his partner David Porter during the...
and "Hollywood's World" by DJ Hollywood - "No One Else" samples "Free at Last" by Al GreenAl GreenAlbert Greene , better known as Al Green, is an American gospel and soul music singer. He reached the peak of his popularity in the 1970s, with hit singles such as "You Oughta Be With Me", "I'm Still In Love With You", "Love and Happiness", and "Let's Stay Together"...
and "La Di Da Di" by Slick RickSlick RickRichard Walters , better known by his stage name Slick Rick is a Grammy-nominated English-American rapper...
and Doug E. FreshDoug E. FreshDouglas E. Davis , better known by the stage name Doug E. Fresh, is an American rapper, record producer, and beat boxer, also known as the Human Beat Box... - "Be Happy" samples "You're Too Good To Me" by Curtis MayfieldCurtis MayfieldCurtis Lee Mayfield was an American soul, R&B, and funk singer, songwriter, and record producer.He is best known for his anthemic music with The Impressions during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's and for composing the soundtrack to the blaxploitation film Super Fly, Mayfield is highly...
and "I Want YouI Want You (album)I Want You is the thirteenth studio album by American soul musician Marvin Gaye, released March 16, 1976, on Motown-subsidiary label Tamla Records. Recording sessions for the album took place throughout 1975 and 1976 at Motown Recording Studios, also known as Hitsville West, and Gaye's personal...
" by Marvin GayeMarvin GayeMarvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range.... - "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" - Aretha FranklinAretha FranklinAretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All...
cover - "Be Happy (Remix)" samples "Money (Dollar Bill Ya'll)" by Jimmy SpicerJimmy SpicerJimmy Spicer is a rap musician who released a number of old school rap singles during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Spicer was managed by Russell Simmons' Rush Management...
- "Be With You" samples "High Powered" by Dr. DreDr. DreAndre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
featuring RBXRBXEric Dwayne Collins, better known by his stage name RBX , is a former rapper and R&B singer from Long Beach, California...
, The Lady of RageThe Lady of RageRobin Yvette Allen , better known by her stage name The Lady of Rage, is an American rapper and actress best known for collaborations with several Death Row Records artists, including Dr. Dre and Snoop Doggy Dogg on the seminal albums The Chronic and Doggystyle...
and Daz DillingerDaz DillingerDelmar Drew Arnaud , better known by his stage name Daz Dillinger is an American hip hop producer and rapper mostly known for his membership in the rap duo Tha Dogg Pound, with Kurupt, and his work with Death Row Records.-The Chronic, Tha Dogg Pound and Dogg Food:Daz began his career on Death Row...
. And its remix version contains an interpolation of "Hey Love" by The DelfonicsThe DelfonicsThe Delfonics are a pioneering Philadelphia soul singing group, most popular in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Their most notable hits include "La-La ", "Didn't I ", "Break Your Promise," "I'm Sorry," and "Ready or Not Here I Come "...
.
Personnel
- André Harrell - Executive Producer
- Big Bub - Vocals (Background)
- Bob Brockmann - Engineer, Keyboards, Mixing
- Bruce Purse - Trumpet
- Prince Charles AlexanderPrince Charles AlexanderBorn Charles Alexander on April 2, 1958 in Boston, Massachusetts, Prince Charles Alexander is a Grammy Award winning American producer, audio engineer, recording artist and educator....
- Engineer, Flute, Mixing, Piccolo, Producer, Sax (Tenor) - Chucky Thompson - Keyboards, Multi Instruments, Producer
- Dalvin DeGrateDalvin DeGrateDalvin DeGrate is an R&B/soul musician, singer and rapper, one-quarter of the R&B group Jodeci. He is the younger brother of Jodeci founder DeVante Swing...
- Arranger, Multi Instruments - Darryl Pearson - Bass
- Debra Young - Production Coordination
- Diane Monroe - Violin
- Eileen Folson - Cello
- Faith EvansFaith EvansFaith Renée Evans is an American singer-songwriter, recording artist, record producer, actress and author. Born in Florida and raised in New Jersey, Evans relocated to Los Angeles during 1993 for a career with the music business. After working as a backing vocalist for Al B...
- Songwriter, Vocals (Background) - Frank Colon - Percussion
- Fred McFarlane - Keyboards
- Gloria Agostini - Harp
- Herb Middleton - Keyboards, Multi Instruments
- Herb Powers - Mastering
- JoDee Stringham - Design
- K-Ci & JoJo - Arranger, Vocals (Background)
- Keenya Mauldin - Hair Stylist
- Latonya J. Blige - Vocals (Background)
- Lenny Underwood - Piano
- Lesa Terry - Violin
- Mark Ledford - Trumpet
- Mary J. Blige - Main Performer, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
- Nasheim Myrick - Engineer, Programming
- Regina CarterRegina CarterRegina Carter is an American jazz violinist. She is the cousin of famous jazz saxophonist James Carter.-Early life:...
- Violin - Richard Travali - Engineer
- Rob Paustian - Engineer, Mixing
- Sam Fine - Make-Up
- Sante d'Orazio - Photography
- Sean "Puffy" Combs - Executive Producer, Producer
- Sybil Pennix - Stylist
- Tim Dawg - Associate Executive Producer
- Tony Maserati - Engineer, Mixing
- Victor Bailey - Bass
- Vincent Henry - Sax (Alto)
Charts
| Chart (1993) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
7 |
| U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999... |
1 |
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
2 |
Accolades
| Publication | Country | Accolade | Year | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blender Blender (magazine) Blender was an American music magazine that billed itself as "the ultimate guide to music and more". It was also known for sometimes steamy pictorials of celebrities.... |
United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
The 100 Greatest American Albums of All time | 2002 | 57 |
| Entertainment Weekly Entertainment Weekly Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture... |
The 100 Best Albums from 1983 to 2008 | 2008 | 70 | |
| Rolling Stone Rolling Stone Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J... |
50 Essential Female Albums | 2002 | 17 | |
| Rolling Stone | The 100 Greatest Albums of the 90s | 2010 | 63 | |
| Rolling Stone | The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time | 2003 | 279 | |
| Rolling Stone | The Essential Recordings of the 90s | 1999 | * | |
| Time Time (magazine) Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong... |
Top 100 Albums of All Time | 2006 | * | |
| Vibe | 100 Essential Albums of the 20th Century | 1999 | * | |
| Vibe | 150 Albums That Define the Vibe Era (1992-2007) | 2007 | * | |
| The Rough Guide | Soul: 100 Essential CDs | 2000 | * | |
| The New Nation | United Kingdom 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... |
Top 100 Albums by Black Artists | 38 | |
| FNAC FNAC FNAC may refer to:* the fine needle aspiration cytology, a medical diagnosis technique;* the Fnac, a French cultural and consumer retailer... |
France France The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France... |
The 1000 Best Albums of All Time | 2008 | 862 |
See also
- List of number-one R&B albums of 1994 (U.S.)
- List of number-one R&B albums of 1995 (U.S.)
- Billboard Year-EndBillboard Year-EndBillboard Year-End charts are a cumulative measure of a single or album's performance in the United States, based upon the Billboard magazine charts during any given chart year. Billboard's "chart year" runs from the first week of December to the final week in November...
External links
- My Life at DiscogsDiscogsDiscogs, short for discographies, is a website and database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. The Discogs servers, currently hosted under the domain name discogs.com, are owned by Zink Media, Inc., and are...
- My Life accolades at acclaimedmusic.net