Studio Album · No. 6
Love & Life Songwriting Credits by Mary J. Blige
Produced by Sean Combs, Mario Winans, Stevie J
Geffen
R&BHip-Hop SoulContemporary R&B
94%
Authorship
Holds writing credit on 17 of 18 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 17 / 18 documented
Who wrote the songs?
Scored across the 18 tracks with documented writers, by whether Mary J. Blige carries a lyricist or composer credit.
17 trackswritten by Mary J. Blige
1 trackoutside writers
Mary J. Blige's roles on this album
Share of the 18 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
Lyricist94%
Composer94%
Producer6%
Performer100%
By the Numbers
18
Tracks
54
Lyricists
17
Producers
1 million
US Copies Sold
2003
Released
Data Insight
Love & Life is a Sean Combs reunion record, and the writing credits show it: Combs and Mario Winans sit beside Blige on most tracks, and the heavy sampling of soul and funk records keeps older writers in the composer column. Blige co-wrote the bulk of the album, so her name is nearly everywhere, but the production team's authorship is just as visible across these songs.
Love & Life is the sixth studio album by Mary J. Blige, released in August 2003 and a high-profile reunion with Sean Combs, who had not produced a full album for her since her early career. Aiming to recapture the chemistry of her debut, the two reassembled the hip-hop soul formula with Combs and Mario Winans handling much of the production. Blige co-wrote most of the record, which featured guests like Jay-Z, Method Man, 50 Cent, and Eve. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and went platinum, though it drew mixed reviews compared to her classics. The album was a deliberate return to the sound that first made her a star.
Track Listing & Credits 18 tracks
Written by the artist
Written by outside writers
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Love & Life Intro
|
Mary J. BligeSean CombsJay-ZDimitri ChristoLes McCann | Mary Jane BligeSean John CombsShawn Corey CarterDimitri ChristoLeslie Coleman McCann | Sean CombsD-NatStevie J | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals)Sean Combs (Featured Artist)Jay-Z (Featured Artist) |
| 2 |
Don't Go
|
Mary J. BligeSean CombsBruce MillerDeric AngelettieJohn WilliamsJohnny Mercer | Mary Jane BligeSean John CombsBruce MillerDeric AngelettieJohn Towner WilliamsJohn Herndon Mercer | Sean CombsDeric Angelettie | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 3 |
When We
|
Mary J. BligeSean CombsMechalie JamisonAndy CreamerMario WinansArthur RossLeon Ware | Mary Jane BligeSean John CombsMechalie JamisonAndy CreamerMario WinansArthur RossLeon Ware | Sean CombsAndy CreamerMechalie Jamison | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 4 |
Not Today
|
Mary J. BligeBruce MillerDr. DreTheron FeemsterMike ElizondoEve | Mary Jane BligeBruce MillerAndre Romelle YoungTheron FeemsterMichael ElizondoEve Jihan Jeffers | Dr. DreMike ElizondoTheron Feemster | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals)Eve (Featured Artist) |
| 5 |
Finally Made It (Interlude)
|
Mary J. BligeSean CombsDeric AngelettieRichard Holland | Mary Jane BligeSean John CombsDeric AngelettieRichard Holland | Sean CombsDeric Angelettie | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 6 |
Ooh!
#60
|
Mary J. BligeSean CombsMechalie JamisonDimitri ChristoHamilton Bohannon | Mary Jane BligeSean John CombsMechalie JamisonDimitri ChristoHamilton Frederick Bohannon | Sean CombsD-Nat | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 7 |
Let Me Be the 1
|
Mary J. BligeSean CombsMechalie Jamison50 CentMalik CrosbyCecil SanchezGeorge ClintonSidney BarnesTheresa Lindsey | Mary Jane BligeSean John CombsMechalie JamisonCurtis James Jackson IIIMalik CrosbyCecil SanchezGeorge Edward ClintonSidney BarnesTheresa Lindsey | Sean CombsMalik CrosbyCecil Sanchez | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals)50 Cent (Featured Artist) |
| 8 |
Love @ 1st Sight
#26
|
Mary J. BligeSean CombsMechalie JamisonMario WinansMethod ManSteven JordanQ-TipAli Shaheed MuhammadPhife Dawg | Mary Jane BligeSean John CombsMechalie JamisonMario WinansClifford Smith Jr.Steven JordanKamaal Ibn John FareedAli Shaheed MuhammadMalik Izaak Taylor | Sean CombsMario WinansStevie J | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals)Method Man (Featured Artist) |
| 9 |
Willing & Waiting
|
Mary J. BligeMechalie JamisonAndy CreamerDavid LewisWayne Lewis | Mary Jane BligeMechalie JamisonAndy CreamerDavid LewisWayne Lewis | Sean CombsAndy CreamerMechalie Jamison | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 10 |
Free (Interlude)
|
Mary J. BligeMario Winans | Mary Jane BligeMario Winans | Sean CombsMario Winans | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 11 |
Friends
|
Mary J. BligeSean FooteMajid HasanTom BrockRobert TaylorBarry White | Mary Jane BligeSean FooteMajid HasanTom BrockRobert TaylorBarry Eugene Carter | Sean CombsSean FooteMajid Hasan | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 12 |
Press On
|
Mary J. BligeKayGeeCharmelle CofieldDarrell CroftsJimmy Seals | Mary Jane BligeKeir GistCharmelle CofieldDarrell George CroftsJames Eugene Seals | Sean CombsKayGee | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 13 |
Feel Like Makin' Love
|
Mary J. BligeSean CombsMechalie JamisonSteven Jordan | Mary Jane BligeSean John CombsMechalie JamisonSteven Jordan | Sean CombsStevie J | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 14 |
It's a Wrap
|
Mary J. BligeSean CombsMario Winans | Mary Jane BligeSean John CombsMario Winans | Sean CombsMario Winans | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 15 |
Message in Our Music (Interlude)
|
Mary J. BligeRobert BellRonald BellGeorge BrownRobert MickensClaydes SmithAlton TaylorDennis ThomasRick Westfield | Mary Jane BligeRobert BellRonald BellGeorge Melvin BrownRobert MickensClaydes Charles SmithAlton TaylorDennis Ronald ThomasRicky Westfield | Sean CombsMary J. Blige | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 16 |
All My Love
|
Mary J. BligeSean CombsBruce MillerDimitri ChristoDonald AddrisiRichard Addrisi | Mary Jane BligeSean John CombsBruce MillerDimitri ChristoDonald AddrisiRichard Addrisi | Sean CombsD-Nat | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 17 |
Special Part of Me
|
Mary J. BligeSean CombsMario Winans | Mary Jane BligeSean John CombsMario Winans | Sean CombsMario Winans | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 18 |
Ultimate Relationship (A.M.)
|
Donald LawrenceSteve White | Donald LawrenceSteve White | Sean CombsDonald Lawrence | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 79 contributors
MJ
Mary J. Blige
Writer · Producer · Vocals
MJ
Mary Jane Blige
Writer
SC
Sean Combs
Writer · Producer · Featured Artist
SJ
Sean John Combs
Writer
MJ
Mechalie Jamison
Writer · Producer
MW
Mario Winans
Writer · Producer
BM
Bruce Miller
Writer
DC
Dimitri Christo
Writer
AC
Andy Creamer
Writer · Producer
DA
Deric Angelettie
Writer · Producer
SJ
Steven Jordan
Writer
CS
Cecil Sanchez
Writer · Producer
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Frequently Asked Questions Love & Life
Who wrote Love & Life?
Mary J. Blige co-wrote most of the album with Sean Combs and Mario Winans, the core production team behind this reunion record.
Why is Love & Life called a reunion album?
It brought back Sean Combs as her main producer for the first time since her early career, aiming to recapture the sound of her debut.
Who guests on Love & Life?
Did Love & Life top the charts?
Yes. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum.
Who produced Love & Life?
Production came mainly from Sean Combs, Mario Winans, and Stevie J, with other Bad Boy collaborators.
How was Love & Life received?
It sold well and topped the chart but drew more mixed reviews than her acclaimed earlier albums.