My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1)
My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1) | ||||
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Studio album by Mary J. Blige | ||||
Released | November 21, 2011 | |||
Recorded | 2010–11 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 57:08 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer |
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Mary J. Blige chronology | ||||
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Singles from My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1) | ||||
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My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1) is the tenth studio album by American R&B recording artist Mary J. Blige, released on November 21, 2011, by Geffen Records and Matriarch Records. Titled as the sequel and serving as a thematical extension to her 1994 breakthrough album My Life, which portrayed a dark period in Blige's personal life, it talks about the themes of struggle, heartbreak, and strength while reflecting the growth and evolution she had experienced since the release of its predecessor.
Production for the album took place during 2010 to 2011 at several recording studios in New York City and Los Angeles and was handled by Danja, Eric Hudson, Rodney Jerkins, Jim Jonsin, Rico Love, Harmony Samuels, StarGate, Tricky Stewart, The Underdogs, and Jerry Wonda. Upon its release, My Life II received generally positive reviews from music critics and debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200 chart with first weeks sales of 156,000 copies. It was eventually certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and became the best-selling R&B album of 2012. From the four singles that were released, only "Mr. Wrong" achieved chart success, reaching the top ten of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Background
In December 2009, Blige's ninth studio album, Stronger with Each Tear, was released, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 and at number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, selling 332,000 units in its first week of release. It became her ninth consecutive studio album to have debuted at the top of the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and won Blige the award for Outstanding Female Artist and Outstanding Album at the 41st NAACP Image Awards.[1] By August 2010, Blige had already begun work on her tenth studio album with Swizz Beatz, Kanye West, The Underdogs, Jerry Wonda, Arden Altino, Lil Ronnie, Jay-Z, Timbaland, Salaam Remi, Maxwell, Alicia Keys, Raphael Saadiq, Ester Dean, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Johnta Austin, Eric Hudson, Q-Tip, Sean Garrett, DJ Premier, Gorilla Tek, Don Pooh, Ne-Yo, and Drumma Boy.[2][3][4][5][6][7] First reports claimed the album would be titled LovHer and was due for release in the first quarter of 2011, thought Blige later revealed during her Music Saved My Life Tour, that she was in no rush to release the album and she had not given it a title yet.[8][9] A song called "Anything You Want" featuring Busta Rhymes and Gyptian leaked on line in August 2010.[10][11]
Backstage at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, when speaking of approach to the new album, Blige described crafting sonic heat similar to her first two studio albums but plan to update the vintage Blige sound, telling that “[it will be] more like a What's the 411? of 2012. It's headed [in] that direction but in a new [way]. Not what it used to be. Right now, it's going in the Mary direction, which is R&B and hip-hop and soul. If it goes into the club direction, it will probably be more soulful than futuristic."[12] On June 21, 2011, a track titled "Feel Inside" apparently featuring Nicki Minaj leaked online. In an interview with MTV it was revealed that the track was in fact two separate songs that the duo were respectively working on, but that someone had put together. Blige revealed that despite the fake collaboration, Minaj and Blige would be collaborating on a song. "I was ****ed about the leaking of the Nicki Minaj and Mary J Blige record, because that's not fair and people shouldn't do that [...] But I'm over it. We move on. We're going to make more hot music."[13][14]
In terms of what she wanted to achieve musically with the album, Blige herself told Blues & Soul: "With so much techno and four-to-the floor and general loss of live instrumentation going on today, to me people are not doing real MUSIC any more. And so with this album I really wanted people to remember when music was about QUALITY instead of QUANTITY!... I basically wanted to separate myself and give everybody back what I feel music today is MISSING."[15] Finished in Los Angeles, New York City and Atlanta, My Life II sees Blige looking toward the future while acknowledging the past: "From me to you, My Life II… Our journey together continues in this life,” explained Mary. “It’s a gift to be able to relate and identify with my fans at all times. This album is a reflection of the times and lives of people all around me.”[16]
Release and promotion
Originally scheduled for a September 20, 2011 release,[17] the album was later pushed back to November 21, 2011. A deluxe edition for the album will also be available only in the United States.[18]
Live performances
Mary J. Blige embarked on promotional tours and live performances for My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1) and its accompanying singles through the United Kingdom and North America. Promotion began with a live performance of the album's lead single on September 1, 2011 at Good Morning America.[19] Blige performed "25/8" on Dancing with the Stars[20] (October 4). On October 20, Blige debuted a new song from the album called, "Need Someone", at Perez Hilton's "One Night In… New York City" benefit concert for GLSN.[21] Blige also performed "Need Someone" on Later... with Jools Holland (November 1).[22] Blige was a guest on the UK morning show, Daybreak (November 2) and Alan Carr: Chatty Man (November 6) to discuss the new album and single.[23][24]
Throughout the month of November, Mary will be performing at numerous shows, including Black Girls Rock! (November 6),[25] the TeenNick HALO Awards (November 6),[26] the American Music Awards (November 20),[27] Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (November 24),[28] The Today Show (November 25),[29] Chelsea Lately (November 25),[30] CBS News Sunday Morning (November 27) and The View (November 29).[31] In addition to this, Blige will also embark on a U.S. tour to promote the album. On the tour Blige will perform the original My Life album in its entirety, with shows in Oakland (November 11), Los Angeles (November 17), New York City (November 23) and Atlanta (November 25).[32] The Los Angeles date will be shown live on Vevo November 17, 2011 at 11PM EST. The concert event Mary J. Blige: Unstaged was directed by Adam Shankman.[33]
HSN & Mary J. Blige will air a special My Life Concert on November 30. In addition to this, Blige will be selling her perfume, My Life Blossom, during the special. Fans will have a chance to purchase the limited-edition My Life Blossom Holiday Gift Se,t including the My Life Blossom Eau de Parfum and Body Cream plus the HSN-Exclusive My Life II…The Journey Continues (Act 1) album.[34]
Blige performed "Need Someone" along with "Family Affair" at the ninth annual WWE Tribute to the Troops that aired on December 13, 2011 on the USA Network and December 17, 2011 on NBC.
On December 19, 2011, Blige performed at "VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul".[35] Blige also be performed on CBS' annual Home for the Holidays which aired December 21.[36]
On February 2, 2012, Blige performed "Mr Wrong", and "The Living Proof" on The Wendy Williams Show.[37]
Singles
"25/8" was released for digital download on September 1, 2011, as the album's first single.[38] The song was produced, and co-written by Eric Hudson. Blige performed the song live for the first time at Good Morning America on September 2, 2011.[39] The song debuted on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart at number ninety-four, and has since peaked at number thirty-five.[40] "Mr. Wrong", featuring Drake, was released as the second single from the album on October 28, 2011.[41] The song is co-produced by Jim Jonsin and Rico Love.[42] "Mr. Wrong" impacted Urban radio on November 8, 2011.[43] "Why" featuring Rick Ross and "Don't Mind" were chosen as the next singles from the album.[44] The music videos for "Why" and "Don't Mind" were filmed in March 2012.[45] Mary performed "Why" for the first time on American Idol on March 8, 2012.[46] The instrumental of "Don't Mind" is featured in Blige's ad for "Burger King".[44]
Other songs
"Someone to Love Me (Naked)" was released as first promotional single of the album in March 2011. It is a reworked version of the song "Someone to Love Me" by Diddy Dirty-Money from their album "Last Train to Paris" and features Lil Wayne, and Diddy.[47] Produced by Jerry "Wonder" Duplessis, and Arden Altino, "Someone to Love Me (Naked)" samples "You Roam When You Don’t Get It At Home" performed by The Sweet Inspirations.[48] A music video for the song was premiered online on April 4, 2011.[49] Blige, and Wayne performed the song live for the first time at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards on May 22, 2011.[50] The song initially debuted on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart at number ninety-nine before falling off, only to return, and subsequently peak at number twenty-eight. "The Living Proof" hit the internet on July 5, 2011. It serves as the official soundtrack for "The Help", and is produced by The Underdogs.[51] A music video for the song was released online on August 10, 2011.[52] The song debuted on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart at number twenty-seven on November 3, 2011. The Chaka Khan remake, "Ain't Nobody", debuted on the Swiss Top 75 Singles chart at number 55.[53]
Reception
Commercial performance
Released on November 21, 2011, by Geffen Records and Matriarch Records,[54] the album debuted at number five on the Billboard 200, with first-week sales of 156,000 copies in the United States.[55] As of March 2012, the album has sold 763,200 copies in the United States.[56] The album ended up becoming the best selling R&B album of 2012.[57] On March 19, 2012, it was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[54]
Critical response
Professional ratings | |
---|---|
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | [58] |
The Daily Telegraph | [59] |
Entertainment Weekly | B–[60] |
The Guardian | [61] |
Los Angeles Times | [62] |
musicOMH | [63] |
PopMatters | (favorable)[64] |
Rolling Stone | [65] |
Slant Magazine | [66] |
Spin | (7/10)[67] |
My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1) received generally positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 72, based on 15 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews".[68] Martyn Young of musicOMH called it "a wonderfully assured collection of classy RnB pop that can justifiably rank amongst her best work", and commented that its ballads "are never grandiose or overblown and Blige’s perfectly poised vocals are genuinely affecting."[63] BBC Music's Lloyd Bradley dubbed the album "Blige's most enjoyable, exciting and consistent album in years" and complimented its music as a "clever updating" of her past hip hop soul.[69] The Daily Telegraph stated, "with the right collaborators [Blige] can conjure golden moments when the listener is transported simultaneously to the church pew and the dancefloor."[59] Rolling Stone writer Jody Rosen called Blige "admirably unfashionable, staying in her sweet spot of midtempo hip-hop soul", adding that "she can still make pain pleasurable."[65]
However, Andy Gill of The Independent was ambivalent towards its "bumpy emotional terrain", adding that "by the time she's berating some partner for not listening to her, your sympathies wane."[70] Kevin Ritchie of NOW panned the album's "easy-listening ballads" and characterized Blige's direction as "dull and predictable".[71] Entertainment Weekly's Adam Markovitz commented that "Blige can still rip your heart out with a note", but criticized "the lovelorn lyrics" and "'modern' touches".[60] Rebecca Nicholson of The Guardian called it "a surprisingly robust return to form [...] elegant, refined and, for the most, part up-to-date", but also found it "far too long" and criticized the "listlessness and sentimentality" of its ballads.[61] Slant Magazine's Eric Henderson disliked Blige's "lapses into self-pity", but commended the "slow burn" of the album's second half as "her most credible adult-contemporary music since 1999's Mary."[66] Allmusic editor Andy Kellman stated, "Those who are hoping for something in the spirit of mid-'90s Blige might be disappointed and think of the title as a ploy, but those who expect a wide variety of material in terms of style and mood will get precisely that."[58]
Los Angeles Times writer Mikael Wood stated, "She gets away with the dramatics because she makes them so easy to buy: No working soul singer depicts struggle (and its hard-won defeat) more believably than Blige does, even when armed with so-so material, as she often is here."[62] Although he found its ballads "a little toothless", Evan Rytlewski of The A.V. Club stated, "What My Life II lacks in a single vision, though, it makes up for with consistently rousing performances from Blige, whose radiant voice has only grown fuller and bluesier with time."[72] Peter S. Scholtes of Spin complimented the "funky, mid-tempo beauties such as 'Irreversible,' 'Midnight Drive,' and 'Someone to Love Me (Naked)'" and stated, "Amid overwrought theatrical gestures, MJB still finds a slinky groove".[67] David Masciotra of PopMatters commented that "despite its flaws, [it] is an immensely enjoyable and impressive album", commending its "four song, mid-album set of soulful R&B" and "closing trio of ballads".[64]
Track listing
US Standard edition[73] | ||||
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No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
1. | "Intro" | Mary J. Blige, Jerry Duplessis, Kendu Isaac, Arden Altino, Sean Combs | Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis, Kendu Isaacs, Arden Altino* | 1:16 |
2. | "Feel Inside" (featuring Nas) | Blige, Andrea Martin, Duplessis, Altino, Nasir Jones, Dennis Coles, Robert Diggs, Gary Grice, Lamont Hawkins, Darryl Hill, Jason Hunter, Russell Jones, Clifford Smith, Elgin Turner, Corey Woods | Jerry Wonda, Arden Altino (co.) | 5:07 |
3. | "Midnight Drive" (featuring Brook Lynn) | Richard Butler, Jr., Pierre Medor | Rico Love, Pierre Medor | 4:12 |
4. | "Next Level" (featuring Busta Rhymes) | Blige, Butler, Trevor Smith, Jr., N. Hills | Danja | 4:13 |
5. | "Ain't Nobody" | David "Hawk" Wolinski | Darkchild | 4:03 |
6. | "25/8" | Blige, Crystal Johnson, Eric Hudson, Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff, Al Sherrod Lambert | Eric Hudson, Mary J. Blige | 3:55 |
7. | "Don't Mind" | Blige, Priscilla Renea, Duplessis | Jerry Wonda | 3:57 |
8. | "No Condition" | Blige, Kevin Cossom, M. Aracia, Hills | Danja | 4:27 |
9. | "Mr. Wrong" (featuring Drake) | James Scheffer, Aubrey Drake Graham, Butler, Daniel Morris, Gamble, Huff, C. Gilbert | Jim Jonsin, Rico Love | 4:01 |
10. | "Why" (featuring Rick Ross) | Blige, Dave Young, Hudson, William Roberts II | Eric Hudson | 4:21 |
11. | "Love a Woman" (featuring Beyoncé) | Blige, Sean Garrett, Beyoncé Knowles, Menardini Timothee | Sean "The Pen" Garrett, Team S. Dot (co.), BridgeTown (add.) | 4:31 |
12. | "Empty Prayers" | Blige, Christopher Stewart, Johnson, Kenneth Coby | Tricky Stewart, Soundz | 3:15 |
13. | "Need Someone" | Matt Morris | Martin Terefe | 3:55 |
14. | "The Living Proof" | Blige, Thomas Newman, Harvey Mason, Damon Thomas | The Underdogs | 5:55 |
Total length: |
57:08 |
US Deluxe edition additional tracks | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
15. | "Irreversible" | Harmony Samuels, Courtney Harrell, Donnell Shawn, Bryan Clark, Blige | Harmony aka H-Money | 3:53 |
16. | "Miss Me With That" | Thomas Newman, Harvey Mason, Damon Thomas, Blige, Durrell Babbs | The Underdogs, Tank | 4:00 |
17. | "Someone to Love Me (Naked)" (featuring Lil Wayne & Diddy) | Blige, Duplessis, Combs, Leroy Watson, Betty Crutcher, David Poter, Tony Williams, Dwayne Carter | Jerry Wonda, Arden Altino (co.) | 3:32 |
Total length: |
68:13 |
UK edition additional tracks[74][75] | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
15. | "You Want This" | Blige, Mason, Thomas, Eric Dawkins, Dewain Whitmore, Jr., Joi Campbell, Adonis Shropshire, Kevin Randolph | The Underdogs, Kevin Randolph (co.) | 4:14 |
16. | "This Love Is for You" | Blige, Ester Dean, Stewart | Tricky Stewart | 3:46 |
17. | "One Life" | Blige, Dean, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Calvin Harris | StarGate, Calvin Harris | 3:43 |
18. | "Someone to Love Me (Naked)" (featuring Lil Wayne & Diddy) | Blige, Duplessis, Combs, Leroy Watson, Betty Crutcher, David Poter, Tony Williams, Dwayne Carter | Jerry Wonda, Arden Altino (co.) | 3:32 |
Total length: |
72:23 |
US iTunes Store bonus track[76] | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
18. | "Get It Right" (featuring Taraji P. Henson) | Blige, Crystal Johnson, Ronnie Jackson | Lil Ronnie, Brandon "B.A.M." Alexander | 4:08 |
Total length: |
74:21 |
- Notes
- * co-producer
- Track two, "Feel Inside" (featuring Nas) samples "Triumph" written by D.Coles, R.Diggs, G.Grice, L.Hawkins, D.Hill, J.Hunter, R.Jones, C.Smith, E.Turner, C.Woods
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
Certifications
|
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Label | Edition |
---|---|---|---|---|
Australia [90] | November 18, 2011 | CD, digital download | Geffen | Standard |
Austria [91] | ||||
Germany[92] | ||||
Japan [93] | ||||
Netherlands [94] | ||||
New Zealand [95] | ||||
Spain [96] | ||||
Sweden [97] | ||||
Switzerland [98] | ||||
Canada [99] | November 21, 2011 | |||
France [100] | ||||
United Kingdom [101] | Polydor Records | |||
United States [102] | Matriarch, Geffen | Standard, deluxe |
References
- ↑ "Mary J. Blige and Black Eyed Peas Win 2010 NAACP Image Awards". Celebrity-mania.com. 2010-02-27. Retrieved 2010-07-08.
- ↑ "Online Interview: Drumma Boy « RWD: Grime, Hip Hop, Dubstep, Funky, Pop, R&B, House, News, Interviews, Videos, Audio and Fashion". Rwdmag.com. 2011-01-05. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
- ↑ http://theurbandaily.com/music/theurbandailystaff2/q-tip-working-on-tracks-for-beyonce-mary-j blige/
- ↑ "Twitter / SWIZZ BEATZ: Studio time Mary is back a". Twitter.com. 2010-08-27. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
- ↑ "Twitter / Ne-Yo!!: Mornin' NY!!! Studio with". Twitter.com. 2010-08-29. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
- ↑ "Don Pooh (DonPooh) on Twitter". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
- ↑ "Mary J. Blige: 2011 Album Preview". Billboard.com. 2009-09-14. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
- ↑ "Mary J. Blige Kicks Off Tour with Jazmine Sullivan, Miguel". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
- ↑ The Los Angeles Times http://goldderbyforums.latimes.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3226059864/m/598105444. Missing or empty
|title=
(help) - ↑ "New Music: Mary J. Blige f/ Busta Rhymes & Gyptian – 'Anything You Want'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
- ↑ Mar 15th 2011 10:00AM by Keith Murphy Comments (2011-03-15). "Raphael Saadiq Readies 'Stone Rollin'; Jams With Mary J. Blige". The Boombox. Retrieved 2011-10-11.
- ↑ Ziegbe, Mawuse (2010-09-17). "Mary J. Blige Says New Album Will Sound Like 'My Life 2011' - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
- ↑ 7/13/11 (2011-07-13). "Mary J. Blige Calls Nicki Minaj Leak 'Not Fair' - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Retrieved 2011-10-11.
- ↑ "Update: Leaked Mary J. Blige Song, 'Feel Inside,' Is Not Official - The Juice". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2011-10-11.
- ↑ Mary J. Blige interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' November 2011
- ↑ "Mary J. Blige Readies 'My Life' Sequel for September". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 2011-10-11.
- ↑ Rap-Up.com || Mary J. Blige Shares Her Journey on VH1’s ‘Behind the Music’ [Video]
- ↑ Amazon.com: My Life II: The Journey Continues, Act 1: Mary J. Blige: Music
- ↑ Mary J. Blige Dishes On Her Latest Album, 'My Life Two, the Journey Continues' | Video - ABC News
- ↑ Dancing with the Stars - Music Lounge - ABC.com
- ↑ Mary J. Blige Performed A BRAND New Song At Our One Night In … New York City!!!! | PerezHilton.com
- ↑ Florence & Mary J Blige Slay On 'Jools Holland'
- ↑ Mary J Blige | Music | Entertainment | Daybreak - ITV.com
- ↑ Alan Carr: Chatty Man - Series 7 - Episode 2 - Alan Carr: Chatty Man - Channel 4
- ↑ Mary J. Blige Finds 'Mr. Wrong' With Drake's Help - The Juice | Billboard.com
- ↑ Blog | Mary J. Blige & Jason Derulo: Live at the HALOs. | Teennick.com
- ↑ Mary J. Blige Joins ‘American Music Awards’ Lineup | EURweb
- ↑ 85 Years of Wonder - MarketWatch
- ↑ Toyota Concert Series
- ↑ Mary J. Blige | Official Site
- ↑ The View - Episode Guide - MSN TV
- ↑ Mary J. Blige Welcomes 'My Life II' with Teaser Tour | Concert Tour
- ↑ Itzkoff, Dave (2011-11-10). "Mary J. Blige to Celebrate 'Life,' Past and Present, With Online Concert Broadcast". The New York Times.
- ↑ HSN & Mary J. Blige Celebrate The Holiday Season With A... - ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Nov. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/
- ↑ Kelly Clarkson, Mary J. Blige, More Are 2011 'VH1 Divas' - Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV
- ↑ Mary J. Blige Celebrating Holidays with Live Concert on HSN - Music News - ABC News Radio
- ↑ Lai, Jennifer (2012-02-03). "Mary J. Blige Marriage: Singer Opens Up About Her Marriage To Kendu Isaacs (VIDEO)". Huffington Post.
- ↑ "New Music: Mary J. Blige – '25/8'". Rap-Up.com. 2011-08-25. Retrieved 2011-10-11.
- ↑ "News : FREE MARY J. BLIGE CONCERT LIVE IN CENTRAL PARK FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 2ND!". Mary J. Blige. 2011-08-31. Retrieved 2011-10-11.
- ↑ http://www.billboard.com/artist/309851/mary-j-blige/chart
- ↑ Rap-Up.com || Drake Plays ‘Mr. Wrong’ on Mary J. Blige’s Second Single
- ↑ "Mary J. Blige Finds 'Mr. Wrong' on Second Single". Rap-Up.com. 2011-09-29. Retrieved 2011-10-11.
- ↑ http://www.webcitation.org/631KKlvBt
- 1 2 "Mary J. Blige Responds To Burger King Ad Criticism - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. 2012-04-04. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
- ↑ "Music Video News: IN PRODUCTION: Mary J Blige - Colin Tilley, dir". Video Static. 2012-03-22. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
- ↑ http://tvrecaps.ew.com/recap/american-idol-jeremy-rosado-eliminated/. Missing or empty
|title=
(help) - ↑ "New Music: Mary J. Blige f/ Lil Wayne & Diddy – 'Someone to Love Me'". Rap-Up.com. 2011-04-01. Retrieved 2011-10-23.
- ↑ "New Music: Mary J. Blige F/ Lil Wayne & Diddy – 'Someone to Love Me'". Rap-up.com (Rap-Up). 2011-02-04. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
- ↑ "Video: Mary J. Blige f/ Diddy & Lil Wayne – 'Someone to Love Me (Naked)'". Rap-Up.com. 2011-04-04. Retrieved 2011-10-23.
- ↑ "Lil Wayne and Mary J. Blige Lead Collaborative Performances at 2011 Billboard Music Awards". Billboard.com. 2009-09-14. Retrieved 2011-10-11.
- ↑ "New Music: Mary J. Blige – 'The Living Proof". Rap-Up.com. 2011-05-07. Retrieved 2011-10-23.
- ↑ "Video: Mary J. Blige – 'The Living Proof'". Rap-Up.com. 2011-10-08. Retrieved 2011-10-23.
- ↑ Mary J Blige - Ain't Nobody - hitparade.ch
- 1 2 "American album certifications – Mary J. Blige". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH. Retrieved December 30, 2012.
- ↑ Caulfield, Keith (November 30, 2011). "Michael Buble Bests Nickelback, Rihanna on Billboard 200". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2011-11-30.
- ↑ DRAKE STAYS PUT AHEAD OF THE PACK, TECH N9NE SHOOTS UP TOP 20, LIL WAYNE DEPARTS ELITE STATUS | SOHH.COM
- ↑ The Year In R&B/Hip-Hop 2012: Drake, Nicki Minaj Among Year's Chart Champs | BILLBOARD.COM
- 1 2 Kellman, Andy (November 23, 2011). "My Life II...The Journey Continues (Act 1) - Mary J. Blige". AllMusic. Review. Retrieved 2011-11-24.
- 1 2 "Mary J Blige: My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act1), CD review". The Daily Telegraph. London: Telegraph Media Group Limited. November 25, 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-26.
- 1 2 Markovitz, Adam (November 23, 2011). "My Life II...The Journey Continues (Act 1) review - Mary J. Blige Review". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved 2011-11-24.
- 1 2 Nicholson, Rebecca (November 24, 2011). "Mary J Blige: My Life II … The Journey Continues – review". The Guardian. London: Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
- 1 2 Wood, Mikael (November 22, 2011). "Album Review: Mary J. Blige's "My Life II…The Journey Continues (Act 1)"". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. Retrieved 2011-11-22.
- 1 2 Young, Martyn (November 21, 2011). "Mary J Blige - My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1)". musicOMH. Retrieved 2011-11-22.
- 1 2 Masciotra, David (December 9, 2011). "As the Spirit Moves Mary: The Life and Art of Mary J. Blige". PopMatters. Retrieved 2011-12-10.
- 1 2 Rosen, Jody (November 22, 2011). "My Life II...The Journey Continues Act 1". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved 2011-11-22.
- 1 2 Henderson, Eric (November 20, 2011). "Mary J. Blige: My Life II...The Journey Continues (Act 1)". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 2011-11-22.
- 1 2 Scholtes, Peter S. (December 1, 2011). "Mary J. Blige, 'My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act I)' (Matriarch/Geffen)". Spin. SPIN Media. Retrieved 2011-12-03.
- ↑ "My Life II...The Journey Continues (Act 1) Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2011-11-22.
- ↑ Bradley, Lloyd (November 18, 2011). "Review of Mary J. Blige - My Life II … The Journey Continues (Act I)". BBC Music. BBC. Retrieved 2011-11-22.
- ↑ Gill, Andy (November 18, 2011). "Album: Mary J. Blige, My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1) (Interscope/Geffen) - Reviews - Music". The Independent. London: Independent Print Limited. Retrieved 2011-11-22.
- ↑ Ritchie, Kevin (November 30, 2011). "Mary J. Blige - My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1)". NOW. Now Communications. Retrieved 2011-12-01.
- ↑ Rytlewski, Evan (November 29, 2011). "Mary J. Blige: My Life II… The Journey Continues (Act 1)". The A.V. Club. Onion Inc. Retrieved 2011-12-01.
- ↑ "My Life II… The Journey Continues (Act 1) CD". Amazon.com.
- ↑ "My Life II… The Journey Continues (Act 1) CD". TheHut.com. 2011-11-21. Retrieved 2011-11-02.
- ↑ "My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1) MP3 Download". Amazon.co.uk. 2011-11-21. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
- ↑ "My Life II… The Journey Continues (Act 1) [Deluxe Version]". iTunes.com. Retrieved 2011-11-17.
- ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Mary J. Blige – My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1)" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2016-09-03.
- ↑ "Lescharts.com – Mary J. Blige – My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1)". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2016-09-03.
- ↑ "Longplay-Chartverfolgung at Musicline" (in German). Musicline.de. Phononet GmbH. Retrieved 2016-09-03.
- ↑ "Italiancharts.com – Mary J. Blige – My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1)". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2016-09-03.
- ↑ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: {{{date}}}" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 2016-09-03.
- ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Mary J. Blige – My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1)". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2016-09-03.
- ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Mary J. Blige – Stronger with Each Tear". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2016-09-03.
- ↑ "Mary J. Blige – Chart history" Billboard 200 for Mary J. Blige. Retrieved 2016-09-03.
- ↑ "Mary J. Blige – Chart history" Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums for Mary J. Blige. Retrieved 2016-09-03.
- ↑ "Best of 2012 – Billboard 200 Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
- ↑ "2012 Year-End Chart – Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2014-06-30.
- ↑ "2013 Year-End Chart – Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2014-06-30.
- ↑ "American album certifications – Mary J. Blige – My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1)". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH
- ↑ iTunes - Music - My Life II...The Journey Continues (Act 1) by Mary J. Blige
- ↑ iTunes - Musik – „My Life II...The Journey Continues (Act 1)“ von Mary J. Blige
- ↑ My Life II...the Journey Continues: Mary J. Blige: Amazon.de: Musik
- ↑ iTunes - ミュージック - Mary J. Blige「My Life II...The Journey Continues (Act 1)」
- ↑ iTunes - Muziek - 'My Life II...The Journey Continues (Act 1)' van Mary J. Blige
- ↑ iTunes - Music - My Life II...The Journey Continues (Act 1) by Mary J. Blige
- ↑ iTunes - Música - My Life II...The Journey Continues (Act 1) de Mary J. Blige
- ↑ iTunes - Music - My Life II...The Journey Continues (Act 1) by Mary J. Blige
- ↑ iTunes - Musik – „My Life II...The Journey Continues (Act 1)“ von Mary J. Blige
- ↑ iTunes - Music - My Life II...The Journey Continues (Act 1) [Deluxe Version] by Mary J. Blige
- ↑ CD: My Life II...The Journey Continues: Amazon.fr: Mary J Blige: Musique
- ↑ My Life II...The Journey Continues (Act 1): Mary J. Blige: Amazon.co.uk: Music
- ↑ Amazon.com: My Life II: The Journey Continues, Act 1: Mary J. Blige: Music