“Those are things you can’t create those emotions are coming from an unseen place.
“There would be times where she would be in the studio singing and it would be the dopest take in the world, but she would be crying,” co-producer Chucky Thompson-who, with Combs, orchestrated My Life’s sample-heavy, ‘70s soul indebted sound- shared with Red Bull Music Academy in 2014. Still just 23 years of age when her sophomore album arrived amidst her battles with depression, substance abuse, memories of childhood trauma, and a destructive relationship, Blige’s impassioned vocals and confessional songs-which she once referred to as a “dark, suicidal testimony”-suggested a world-weariness possessed by someone whose life experience spans many more years.Īs evidenced by its title alone, My Life was predicated upon the very personal reflections of its creator, which offered her much-needed, cathartic release. With millions already familiar with her musical identity showcased throughout What’s the 411?, the noticeably more confident and candid Blige invited listeners deeper into her psyche and soul on her debut’s more decidedly introspective 1994 follow-up, My Life. Her prolific output and unflappable artistic integrity evidenced in the 27 years since her inaugural LP are proof positive of this laser-sharp focus. Much to the contrary, Blige was seemingly always determined-and equipped-to remain at the top of the game for the long haul. Working in Blige’s favor-and bolstered by the committed, Combs-led support system surrounding her-was the fact that from the get-go, she was never simply some opportunistic upstart trying to capitalize on her fifteen minutes of fame while they lasted. Although the critical and commercial plaudits that greeted What’s the 411? were enough to solidify a rock-solid foundation for Blige’s burgeoning career, the elite cultural status that the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul title conferred upon her ensured that the stakes for sustained success were much higher and the pressure to circumvent the sophomore jinx was that much greater.
Indeed, the alias was apropos, considering that Blige and her producers mastered the fusion of throwback soul influences with contemporary hip-hop aesthetics to create a fresh, bold pop music form spawned from the New Jack Swing movement of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.
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