Mary J. Blige is still ticking.

I’m convinced that Mary J. Blige is unkillable—sort of like Jason. The Queen of R&B has been making music since at least 1991 and has worked with just about every legend on the planet. She also etched herself into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, one of the most prestigious awards a musician can get (they need to change the name of that award, BTW). The good news is this: Mary is not done making music.

Mary J. Blige is set to drop her highly anticipated 16th album, and the first single from the project, “Breathing” featuring Fabolous, has just hit streaming services.

“Breathing” samples Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ classic “I Put A Spell On You.” Fabolous kicks things off with a punchline-heavy, slick verse highlighting his effortless swag and flair. Mary J. Blige follows with a vintage performance that balances high emotions with a laid-back tone. Lyrically, she reflects on living her best life now that she’s in a better situation. Overall, this nostalgic-sounding track will resonate with Mary’s longtime fans.

I’m old enough to remember when Mary J. Blige had more dramas than TNT. She sounds so free now.

Quincy

Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.