Blidge’s Second Album Lives Up To First

When Mary J. Blidge’s first album dropped, it hit hard. She had three major R&B hits: Reminisce, Love No Limit and the crossover hit, Real Love. Her style became the standard for female hip-hop artists, and she established herself as the hip-hop queen.

That kind of pedestal can be a long fall down if your sophomore effort does not deliver. Luckily for Blidge, it does. Her second release, titled, “My Life,” definitely gets the job done. Not only does her natural talent shine through, but it’s shining hard. She overcame the superstar producing of Sean “Poffy” Combs, Chucky Thompson and her hip-hop counterparts, “Mr. Dalvin” of Jodeci.

Her fierce voice, from-the-bottomof-her-heart vocals, and real-life lyrics show she’s not only maintained her talent, but improved. They combine an effort to keep up with the latest hip-hop trends and need for growth.

Some songs deal with love, seduction, self esteem, failing relationships, apologies and finding the love you’ve searched for your entire life. All those topics may be standard hip hop, but they are fresh and new here. One literal standard with a fresh new coat of paint is, “I’m Going Down,” the stand-out track on this CD.

The amount of heart in this song echoes that of Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight and other countless gritty Divas. Other notable tracks include the seductive “Mary Jane,” “Soothing,” “My Life, Straight Forward,” “Mary’s Joint” and finally, “No One Else.” The prevailing theme in this album; “Be Happy.”

Mary J. delivers “On My Life” if you appreciate from-the-heart meditation on life, love, relationships, and appreciate a great beat, this is perfect for you. Mary J. Blidge definitely has answered all her critics with an “in your face and here I am.”

All hail the Queen.

Grade: A-

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