Studio Album · No. 10
My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1) Songwriting Credits by Mary J. Blige
Produced by Jerry Wonda, Eric Hudson, Danja, Rico Love
Geffen / Matriarch
R&BHip-Hop SoulContemporary R&B
71%
Authorship
Holds writing credit on 10 of 14 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 10 / 14 documented
Who wrote the songs?
Scored across the 14 tracks with documented writers, by whether Mary J. Blige carries a lyricist or composer credit.
10 trackswritten by Mary J. Blige
4 tracksoutside writers
Mary J. Blige's roles on this album
Share of the 14 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
Lyricist71%
Composer71%
Producer7%
Performer100%
By the Numbers
14
Tracks
40
Lyricists
16
Producers
500,000
US Copies Sold
2011
Released
Data Insight
My Life II keeps Blige as a regular co-writer beside her producers, with names like Jerry Wonda, Eric Hudson, and Rico Love sharing the credits. The Rufus and Chaka Khan cover 'Ain't Nobody' is written entirely by David Wolinski, the clearest outside song, and the album's interpolations of Gamble and Huff and others again seat veteran soul writers in the composer column.
My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1) is the tenth studio album by Mary J. Blige, released in November 2011 as a sequel to her landmark 1994 record. Reflecting on growth and survival, it carried the single '25/8' and reunited her with longtime themes of struggle and resilience, this time from a place of strength. Blige co-wrote most of the album, working with producers including Jerry Wonda, Eric Hudson, and Danja, and featuring guests like Nas, Beyoncé, Drake, and Rick Ross. The record went gold and tied her catalog's past to its present. It framed her as a survivor looking back on how far she had come.
Track Listing & Credits 14 tracks
Written by the artist
Written by outside writers
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Intro
|
Mary J. BligeJerry WondaKendu IsaacArden AltinoSean Combs | Mary Jane BligeJerry DuplessisKendu IsaacArden AltinoSean John Combs | Jerry WondaKendu IsaacArden AltinoOlivier Castelli | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 2 |
Feel Inside
|
Mary J. BligeAndrea MartinJerry WondaArden AltinoNasGhostface KillahRZAGZAMethod ManRaekwon | Mary Jane BligeAndrea MartinJerry DuplessisArden AltinoNasir bin Olu Dara JonesDennis David ColesRobert Fitzgerald DiggsGary Eldridge GriceClifford Smith Jr.Corey Woods | Jerry WondaArden Altino | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals)Nas (Featured Artist) |
| 3 |
Midnight Drive
|
Rico LovePierre Medor | Richard Preston Butler Jr.Pierre Medor | Rico LovePierre Medor | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals)Brook Lynn (Featured Artist) |
| 4 |
Next Level
|
Mary J. BligeRico LoveBusta RhymesDanja | Mary Jane BligeRichard Preston Butler Jr.Trevor George Smith Jr.Nathaniel Hills | Danja | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals)Busta Rhymes (Featured Artist) |
| 5 |
Ain't Nobody
|
David Wolinski | David Wolinski | Rodney Jerkins | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 6 |
25/8
#91
|
Mary J. BligeCristyleEric HudsonKenneth GambleLeon HuffAl Sherrod Lambert | Mary Jane BligeCrystal Nicole JohnsonEric HudsonKenneth GambleLeon HuffAl Sherrod Lambert | Eric HudsonMary J. Blige | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 7 |
Don't Mind
|
Mary J. BligePriscilla ReneaJerry Wonda | Mary Jane BligePriscilla Renea HamiltonJerry Duplessis | Jerry Wonda | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 8 |
No Condition
|
Mary J. BligeKevin CossomMarcella AraicaDanja | Mary Jane BligeKevin CossomMarcella AraicaNathaniel Hills | Danja | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 9 |
Mr. Wrong
#84
|
Jim JonsinDrakeRico LoveDaniel MorrisKenneth GambleLeon HuffCary Gilbert | James SchefferAubrey Drake GrahamRichard Preston Butler Jr.Daniel MorrisKenneth GambleLeon HuffCary Gilbert | Jim JonsinRico Love | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals)Drake (Featured Artist) |
| 10 |
Why
|
Mary J. BligeDave YoungEric HudsonRick Ross | Mary Jane BligeDave YoungEric HudsonWilliam Leonard Roberts II | Eric Hudson | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals)Rick Ross (Featured Artist) |
| 11 |
Love a Woman
|
Mary J. BligeSean GarrettBeyoncéMenardini Timothee | Mary Jane BligeGarrett HamlerBeyoncé Giselle KnowlesMenardini Timothee | Sean Garrett | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals)Beyoncé (Featured Artist) |
| 12 |
Empty Prayers
|
Mary J. BligeTricky StewartCristyleKenneth Coby | Mary Jane BligeChristopher Alan StewartCrystal Nicole JohnsonKenneth Coby | Tricky StewartSoundz | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 13 |
Need Someone
|
Matt Morris | Matt Morris | Martin Terefe | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 14 |
The Living Proof
|
Mary J. BligeThomas NewmanHarvey MasonDamon Thomas | Mary Jane BligeThomas Montgomery NewmanHarvey Mason Jr.Damon Thomas | The Underdogs | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 68 contributors
MJ
Mary J. Blige
Writer · Producer · Vocals
MJ
Mary Jane Blige
Writer
JW
Jerry Wonda
Writer · Producer
RL
Rico Love
Writer · Producer
JD
Jerry Duplessis
Writer
RP
Richard Preston Butler Jr.
Writer
AA
Arden Altino
Writer · Producer
D
Danja
Writer · Producer
EH
Eric Hudson
Writer · Producer
C
Cristyle
Writer
CN
Crystal Nicole Johnson
Writer
KG
Kenneth Gamble
Writer
More from Mary J. Blige
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1999
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Mary
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94%
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81%
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83%
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2013
0%
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2014
83%
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93%
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2022
100%
Good Morning Gorgeous
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Frequently Asked Questions My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1)
Who wrote My Life II?
Mary J. Blige co-wrote most of the album with producers like Jerry Wonda, Eric Hudson, and Rico Love. 'Ain't Nobody' is a Rufus and Chaka Khan cover she did not write.
Is My Life II a sequel?
Yes. It is a sequel to her acclaimed 1994 album My Life, revisiting themes of struggle and survival from a position of strength.
Who guests on My Life II?
Who produced My Life II?
Producers include Jerry Wonda, Eric Hudson, Danja, Rico Love, and Rodney Jerkins.
What is the lead single from My Life II?
'25/8' was the lead single, with 'Mr. Wrong' featuring Drake also released.
How well did My Life II sell?
It was certified gold in the United States.