‘Life’ And Times
Mary J. Blige is jubilant, and it is evident on her sunny new Geffen album, “Love & Life.” “This album is a celebration of life,” says the R&B singer, whose previous sets often have been steeped in pain and heartbreak. “All the bad things in the world couldn’t have happened to a better person than Mary,” she says, speaking of herself. “If Mary can do it, then others can, too. Learning to love yourself takes work. And right now, I love Mary.”
The new set finds Blige reteamed with producer Sean “P. Diddy” Combs for their first album since 1994’s “My Life.” High-profile guests include Jay-Z (“Love & Life Intro”), Eve (the Dr. Dre-produced “Not Today”) and 50 Cent (“Let Me Be the 1”). Method Man appears on “Love @ 1st Sight,” which is No. 22 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks.
During the recording of “My Life,” Combs says he told Blige how to do everything. “We went our separate ways because of this. With ‘Love & Life,’ I was less of a dictator. It was more of an even playing field this time. We have both grown in many ways over the years.”
“Let it be known,” Blige says, “Mary is in love and enjoying her life. But the songs on this album show that you must keep pressing on. I am only human. I am not a statue to worship.”
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