Why Men Love Mary And 'My Life'
The Post-Breakup Album is always a tricky thing to execute, particularly for female artists. Write some great songs, and you win the people's support (see: Mama's Gun). But drop some "other" shit and you have men AND women thinking, "I see why he left her ass..." (see: Lauryn Hill Unhinged). Mary J. Blige's My Life is the rare Post-Breakup Album that manages to transcend feelings of pity or sympathy for the author. You don't just feel Mary's pain, you wish you could make it stop. Although the album dropped at a time when Snoop and the West Coast had everybody claiming "we don't luhh dem hoes," Mary's pain and brutal honesty h

Reflections On 'My Life'
Fifteen years ago today, My Life was released and, through that collection of songs, that collection of angst, heartache and pain set to music, Mary J. Blige became our Queen. She earned that throne with that one album, slowly worked her way from hapless to happy in order to wear the crown. Over the past 28 days--our Month of Mary--SoulBounce has given My Life new life, dissecting each track from that sophomore disc. We've viewed all of the videos, praised each producer, pondered her path to majesty through mixes and live performances. In short, we've put together a month fit for a Queen. And believe it when we say that the best is yet to come.

'My Life' At 15: Rewind
All November long SoulBounce has been celebrating MJB the VIP during the Month of Mary in commemoration of the 15th anniversary of the release of Mary J. Blige's pivotal release, My Life. We kicked off the month by breaking down My Life SoulBounce style with daily write ups of each song on the album. In the event that you missed any or all, this is your place to find them in one space. Put the CD in your system or pull it up on your iTunes and listen as you read your SoulBounce editor's thoughts on each song after the bounce. Harlem on "Mary Jane (All Nig

Quiet Bounce: Like A Train On Broken Tracks
The lead single off of their follow up to Funky Divas, En Vogue's "Runaway Love" was an irresistible groove. Sometimes while listening to this song it's hard to believe it was released in 1993. And although it isn't all that quiet, it certainly does bounce in all the right ways. The vocals are lush in a way that only four-voice harmony can be, and the group is pretty much at their sexiest here. It's arguable, sure. But the breeziness of the way with which they sing of something as intense as a love that's "like a train on broken tracks" is hard to accomplish. Yet they make it sound so simple and inviting. It does feel good. Without a doubt.

When Mary J. Showed Us What She Could 'Do'
You know, I feel like Kiki Shepard should be doing this post, as it seems like an old school "Apollo Legend Moment." Heh. The year was 1990. Uptown/MCA Records recording artist Father MC had just hit the scene with catchy, if largely forgettable lyrics. Yet, there was something about his tracks that made you listen all the way through. It was his backup talent. Even back then, Puffy knew exactly what would sell, employing the likes of K-Ci and JoJo of fledgling group Jodeci to croon the hook on Father's hit, "Treat 'em Like They Wanna Be Treated," to g