Mary J Blige - Interview with the first lady of soul in her London hotel

18 September 2003

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Mary J Blige Interview
We caught up with the first lady of soul in her London hotel

We caught up with the first lady of soul in her London hotel to find out about her new album Life & Love, Collaberating with other stars and how to get famous.

CM- How was it going back in the studio with P Diddy?

MJB- It was a lot of fun because I missed him, I missed him because he always made me laugh and I missed being around someone who cares so much about us both succeeding. Its great to work with someone who cares enough to get into arguments with me about my material, he is so professional, a real perfectionist.

CM- You co-produced the album with P Didddy, how did that work out?

MJB- I really trust Puffs ears so we picked all the songs that would make the album together. Puff really knows what will make people dance where as I am more concerned about what will get people in the ribs, what will make them feel the song. That's the chemistry we have, he would worry about making people dance while worked on making people feel the emotion, concentrating on the strings or whatever that will relax or excite a person when they listen to the record.

CM- Do you prefer working in the studio to performing live?

Music - Mary J Blige Interview - We caught up with the first lady of soul in her London hotel

MJB- In the studio you can really concentrate on performing the song where as on stage you also have to worry about connecting with so many people, they're definitely different. Working in the studio is a more personal experience whereas on stage in front of a billion people, it's more exciting performing live.

CM- There are so many collaborations on the album, how was that for you?

MJB- It was great to work with Jay Z again, he's never let me down and given me a whack tune and Eve she's great and I love 50 cent, he's such a genuine person, when I met him I looked in his eyes and I knew that he is a real person and I have a lot of love for him. I didn't actually work in the studio with Jay or 50 because I was so busy but what they gave me was everything I needed and I let them know that.

CM- Do you have any advice for anyone trying to get into the music business?

MJB- Don't give up, be positive and if you know someone who knows someone at a record company don't stop beating down their door till you get heard. Don't ever say it'll never happen or it'll never happen.