Mary J. Blige recently stopped the Audacy V-103 studios in Atlanta to check in with Big Tigger and talk all about new music, her label, love, her wine, Sun Goddess, and so much more.
LISTEN NOW: Audacy Check In with Mary J. Blige
Dropping right into the convo with a quickness, just like Mary J. dropped her latest single “Still Believe in Love,” Blige explained why she decided to release the song, as Tigger put it, “out of nowhere.”
“Well I wrote the song when I was fresh outta my divorce cause I needed to say something different and something positive, other than what was going on in my life… I had to believe in myself," Mary expressed, pointing out the words of the track, “no matter what happens, I’m never gonna give up on me.”
“The timing, the climate for the song was just perfect for right now,” Mary J. added. “People need some positivity, people need to know that, y’know, I’m not dying… like I’m good, I’m happy, no matter what happens in life, I’m gonna get through it. And ‘Still Believe’ is just about believing in myself… not giving up on life, not giving up on love, and I just think my fans needed to hear that from me.”
Noting how her music has “historically reflected the ups and downs of Mary,” a curious Tig asked the singer, if the process of creating this song felt any different “moving on from the divorce, and getting back to writing.”
“The process was not so positive in the beginning," Mary admitted, “like in 2016 when it first happened… But as you move forward, you move passed things, you let go of things, you take responsibility for what you did, and not worry about what they did, and life starts to get better.”
While “Still Believe in Love” is more of an uplifting tune, there’s no denying the hit power when Mary serves up a slow and somber R&B track. “I got them too,” Mary said of sad songs she has ready to leave the vault. “Because life isn’t one thing, and it’s not always about Mary J, Blige, it’s been about my fans. I’ve been writing songs for my fans and me all my life.”
“I got one coming, it’s called ‘Gone Forever,’” sharing it says, “if you mess up, or try to play me, I’m gone forever. And that’s the story of my life.”
Noting the song actually arrived with her Good Morning Gorgeous album back in 2022, Mary expressed the time for it to be a standout single is now.
As for when Mary’s new album should be expected to arrive, Blige suggested “by the summer.”
Other than music, Mary J. has hand in lots of other projects, including having her own wine label, Sun Goddess Wines. Plus, many will be happy to learn that Power’s Monet Tejada will be back on the small screen soon, “in May.” When it comes to movies or TV, Mary doesn’t really have a preference, but did admit that if she had to pick a dream role, it would be to play Nina Simone.
“Because I want to learn how to play the classical piano, and I just love her," Blige shared, “ I love her songs, I love her story, I did a lot of research on her.”
Also focused on continuing her legacy with her own music label, Beautiful Life Productions, Mary has already started, signing Vado, who’s featured on “Still Believe In Love,” and WanMor to the roster so far.
Mary J. also discussed how each honor and award still hits even to this day, how My Life turns 30 this year, recalling all the fun and emotions that went into making the project, plus a whole lot more. Check out the entire conversation above.
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