Mary J. Blige's 50 Best Songs

MJB's What's the 411? was released 22 years ago today.

Mary J. Blige –What’s The 411? (1992) - Upon the release of her debut LP, Mary J. Blige not only ushered in a new R&B subgenre — hip hop soul — but she instantly became the queen of it. Masterfully weaving smooth hip hop samples into the sweet and unpolished melody of Blige's voice, What's the 411 gave voice to the soul of a girl next door from the PJs, with hits like "You Remind Me" and "Real Love."   (Photo: Uptown, MCA Records)
13. "I Can Love You" feat. Lil Kim - This 1997 hit is one of the finest examples of Blige's symboitic relationship with hip hop: Here, she somehow transforms Lil Kim's cocky mission statement "Queen B---h" into another heartfelt, unmistakably Mary plea for love. (Photo: Courtesy Geffen Records)
12. "You Remind Me"/"You Remind Me" (Remix) feat. Greg Nice - Mary's debut single, "You Remind Me," which featured her soaring, raspy vocal runs set to a hip hop beat, immediately established both her trademark sound and her powerful instrument, leading many to compare her to Chaka Khan straight off the bat. And don't forget the hard-hitting remix, which introduced MJB to rap fans via a well-placed Greg Nice cameo. (Photo: Courtesy Geffen Records)
11. "Deep Inside" - With an eye on expanding beyond her "urban" roots, 1999's Mary mined pop classicists like Burt Bacharach, Stevie Wonder and even the master of the form, Elton John himself. Here she sampled his seminal "Bennie and the Jets," but the husky vocals and the lyrics' familiar search for acceptance, are undeniably "just plain ol' Mary." (Photo: Courtesy Geffen Records)10. "Be Happy" - Another powerful My Life standout, this 1994 hit is essential for understanding Mary's music, which has always seemingly been fueled by an arduous, life-long search for love and inner peace. (Photo: Courtesy Geffen Records)

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13. "I Can Love You" feat. Lil Kim - This 1997 hit is one of the finest examples of Blige's symboitic relationship with hip hop: Here, she somehow transforms Lil Kim's cocky mission statement "Queen B---h" into another heartfelt, unmistakably Mary plea for love. (Photo: Courtesy Geffen Records)

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