Mary J. Blige Says Fans Don't Want Her To Be Happy

Posted about 1 year ago

Artist:

Mary J. Blige

It's a sad fact that some artists create better music when they're not happy. When Mary J. Blige started her career in the early 90s, she was depressed, addicted to drugs, and in an abusive relationship. The pain that came out of those situations poured into her music and in turn earned her legions of fans.

Rounding the Millennium, Mary slowly but surely got her life in order. She kicked her drug habit, split from abusive partners, and became a happy woman with a new marriage. The problem is, her diehard fans HATE the new Mary's music. She's realized the dilemma this has created, but refuses to jeopardize her happiness for music.
"When I took the chance to show people I can be happy, I lost a million of my fans," she told Vibe magazine. "I was like, 'I'm gonna have to lose y'all in order for us to live, because if I keep going down this dark hole, we're all gonna die together. I'm gonna slit my wrists or take some pills, and it's gonna be over."
Here's Mary's latest upbeat single "Just Fine", which is a stark contrast to the somber music she made early in her career.
"MTV News":http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1579481/20080111/blige_mary_j.jhtml?rsspartner=rssFeedBurner

Comments (6)

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Charley Rogulewski says When I first heard "Just Fine" I was, like "Dang, she sounds like a pop star, not an R&B diva." But i think she should be happy. That's more important than album sales.

Permalink posted 01/11/2008
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TroyPowers says Yeah, I didn't like "Just Fine" at first, but it's really grown on me.

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Hattie says I really haven't liked her music sicne the album after _Share My World_ (see, I didn't even keep up with the titles)-- and here I thought it was just me when, in actuality, it's just because she's happy now! Seriously, though, as a writer I know I write better when I'm in a certain mood, so I understand how mood can influence an artist; however, a true artist can feel whatever emotion that needs to be felt in order to make his/her art work (i.e., draw on old, even long gone, emotions if need be). So, maybe it's not so much that fans don't want Mary J. Blige to be happy as much as it is that she hasn't yet learned to channel certain emotions into her craft. In the meantime, I'm liking "Just Fine," jsut fine, too. Peace

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Tina ModBoosh says I'm not a huge fan of hers, and I do like the old stuff, but I think this songs quite good - even though this is the first time I've heard it!

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kaluss says no, happy is fine, its the screaming we can do without.

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2Serenity says I have to agree with @Hattie. Sometimes you feel some artists and the moods they are going through. I just have not been "feeling" Mary since her Share My World days. Though I am not a writer, I tend to be gravitated towards music that is less pop but funky. I need some FUNK up in here. Thank you for sharing!

Permalink posted 01/11/2008