Mary J. Blige has curated enough classics in her illustrious career to be certified the undeniable Queen of Hip-Hop and Soul.
The powerhouse performer, singer and songwriter – who ventured into the mainstream music scene with the advent of her debut album, ‘What’s the 411?’ back in 1992 has had a string of hits, that have managed to be immortalized as all-time RnB classics.
Songs like – I’m Goin’ Down, Not Gon’ Cry, Mary Jane, Be Without You, Family Affair – among several others, have come to be associated with what can be deemed the golden era of the definitive Hip-Hop/Soul sound.
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Blige’s soulful voice and her ability to pen down her life experience to create melodies that can resonate with almost every individual, has made her an international icon and today, we put together 10 of such ultra-catchy, timeless songs from the singer, that can easily be deemed her best.
Here are Mary J’s 10 best songs:
10) Just Fine
Featured on her 2007 released eighth studio album, ‘Growing Pains’, this up-tempo bop – with it’s un-skippable beat and melody serves as an eargasmic ode to self-loving. A perfect song to dance along to, when you’re at your self-appreciating hour.
9) Be Happy
Featured on Mary’s 1994 released sophomore studio album, ‘My Life’, the song was a Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and a top 10 hit on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The song is a definitive classic in her catalogue, especially with the iconic intro and the sight of Mary J. pulling-off her trademark moves on stage.
8) Everything
Amalgamating the 1971 Linda Creed classic, ‘You Are Everything’ with a new lyric and also sampling James Brown’s 1973 hit ‘The Payback’, the song served as the third single from her third studio album – Share My World in August 1997. Like most Mary songs, the song hasn’t lost it’s sheen even after all these years and remains one of her signature classics, with one of the most recognizable choruses.
7) I’m Goin’ Down
With a retro-inspired and theatrical production, Mary J. Blige’s high-octane love-ballad ‘I’m Goin’ Down’ was featured on her second studio album My Life (1994) and was a cover of RnB and Soul singer Rose Royce’s 1976 song. A treat for those who love the rich 90’s sound, accompanied by Mary’s powerhouse and soulful voice.
6) No More Drama
No other singer has constantly preached us to throw away all the drama from negative people in our lives, as much as Mary has. Her song ‘No More Drama’ as featured on her 2001 released fifth studio album of the same name, is the poster-child of her self-loving movement, right beside the funky – Just Fine.
5) Enough Cryin’
Yet another incredibly catchy bop, curated under the production of the immensely talented – Rodney Jerkins AKA Darkchild, Enough Cryin’ is about letting go of a poisonous relationship, to concentrate on your own well-being. Everything about this song is dope, including Mary’s rap-part in the second verse.
4) Destiny
The profound lyric of this inspiring track featured on the hard-hitting Oscar nominated drama, ‘Precious’, is one of Mary’s most uplifting works. “Time to broaden my horizons/Come out from the dark and open up my eyes and/start to define my destiny” – the song easily serves as an everyday motivation.
3) Be Without You
Mary J’s heartfelt cry to a lost-love, with an encore dedicated to all the lovers in the house. This is her modern-day classic, as featured on her 2005 released studio album, The Breakthrough. The song is a significant track in our definitive ‘Mary playlist’ due to a number of reasons – it was one of the biggest hits of the year, and one of her most successful singles and that soul-shaking high note towards the end, that you can’t help but play over and over.
2) Family Affair
Mary J. Blige has a reputation of curating songs about letting your hair down after a long and stressful ordeal of life. Family Affair is one such joint. Co-written by Blige, with an infectious production from Dr. Dre – the song was a major hit for Mary, as it peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 back in 2001, and remained for a total of 6 weeks. Irresistible, catchy and something you just can’t help but clap and be naturally induced to dance along to.
1) Not Gon’ Cry
The song resonated with countless women who were going through similar predicament, having given precious years of their lives to someone, who ultimately broke their hearts. Mary J. Blige’s soul-stirring bop as featured on Forrest Whitaker’s empowering – Waiting To Exhale film, was one of the hottest tracks on the classic soundtrack. Easily one of her most cherished classics from the peak of her career.
A few other songs that constitute our ‘definitive Mary J. Blige playlist’ would include –
Color
Real Love
Rainy Dayz
Share My World
All That I Can Say
Never Been
My Life
Work That