2022 NAACP Image Awards: 5 of Our Favorite Mary J. Blige Records of All Time
Mary J. Blige’s remarkable career has found the New York native both on-screen and in both giving fans music that made them love, feel vulnerable, and of course, made us dance. Fresh off one of the most talked-about and memorable Super Bowl Halftime performances every, the Queen of hip-hop and Soul will be made her return to another stage at this year’s NAACP Image Awards.
The ceremony honored the best and brightest performances in film, television, theater, music, and literature and was hosted by longtime host and past NAACP honoree, Anthony Anderson. On the heels of this year’s event, check our favorite Mary J. Blige songs of all time.
“Everything”
For this standout single from her third studio, Share My World, Mary enlisted the writing talents of iconic music industry duo Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and a sampling of “You Are Everything” by The Stylistics and “The Payback” by James Brown. Legendary director Hype Williams shot the South Asian-inspired visual in beautiful Hawaii in June 1997.
“No More Drama”
Mary gave an unforgettable performance of “Family Affair” and “No More Drama” during the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime show in a star-studded event that featured Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and a surprise appearance from 50 Cent.
During an interview, the legendary r&b singer revealed why she chose to perform “No More Drama,” telling Hot 97’s Ebro in the Morning, “Every time I turn on the news, men are walking in their house blowing they kids and their wives away, and then themselves. That’s obviously what Dre felt was appropriate because he picked the songs, and I was like, ‘Absolutely, you can’t lose with “No More Drama” because of the climate out here in the world.’”
“Just Fine”
The Queen of r&b gave us the ultimate up-tempo, feel-good summer jam, and all-around party anthem with the release of her 2007 jam “Just Fine” off her eighth studio album, Grown Pains.
While speaking to MTV reporters about the single in Oct 2007, Mary told reporters, “That song was written based on me having a good day. You know, I can have 20 bad days. I can have as many bad days as anyone. But I choose to say, 'I'm just fine.' Right now. So it's OK to have those days. So instead of coming with something ungrateful to the universe, how about I come with something first that's says, 'You know what? It's OK. Enjoy this day if you're having a great day."
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“Not Gon’ Cry”
Mary isn’t about letting her struggling define her, a theme often heard in the music she creates. The singles appearance on the classic 1995 film Waiting To Exhale soundtrack only further the song’s popularity, ultimately placing at No.2 on the Hot 100 in 1996.
“I’ll Be There for You/ You’re All I Need to Get By” by Method Man
The 1995 record collaboration with Wu-Tang’s Method Man will forever play an integral role in Mary’s place and significance in hip hop and r&b, marking it as one of the best duets in hip hop music.
The song mixes Marvin Gaye, and Tammi Terrell’s Motown classic “You’re All I Need to Get By,” with Mary singing the hook and mimicking its melody during her verses. At the same time, Notorious BIG’s “Lie together, cry tougher/I swer to God I hope we f-kin’ die together” adds just the right amount of grit.
Watch the NAACP Image Awards on Saturday, February 26, 2022, at 8/9c.
