Studio Album · No. 13
Strength of a Woman Songwriting Credits by Mary J. Blige
Produced by DJ Camper, B.A.M., Hit-Boy, Kaytranada
Capitol / Matriarch
R&BContemporary R&BSoul
93%
Authorship
Holds writing credit on 13 of 14 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 13 / 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.
13 trackswritten by Mary J. Blige
1 trackoutside writers
Mary J. Blige's roles on this album
Share of the 14 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
Lyricist93%
Composer93%
Producer0%
Performer100%
By the Numbers
14
Tracks
35
Lyricists
10
Producers
500,000
US Copies Sold
2017
Released
Data Insight
Strength of a Woman keeps Blige co-writing across its production team, with DJ Camper, B.A.M. collaborator Charles Hinshaw, and Jazmine Sullivan recurring in the credits. 'Survivor,' written by the production team rather than Blige, is the song furthest from her pen, while the divorce-driven material like 'Thick of It' puts her authorship and lived experience back at the center of the record.
Strength of a Woman is the thirteenth studio album by Mary J. Blige, released in April 2017 and shaped by her painful, public divorce. The breakup ballad 'Thick of It' and the Kanye West collaboration 'Love Yourself' anchored an album that channeled heartbreak into resilience, the kind of confessional turn that first made her famous. Blige co-wrote most of the record, working with producers including DJ Camper, B.A.M., and Hit-Boy, alongside writers like Jazmine Sullivan. Praised as a return to emotional form, it reconnected her with the raw vulnerability of her classic work. It stands among her strongest late-career statements.
Track Listing & Credits 14 tracks
Written by the artist
Written by outside writers
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Love Yourself
#22
|
Mary J. BligeKanye WestCharles HinshawDavid D. BrownDarhyl Camper, Jr.I. Andrews | Mary Jane BligeYeCharles Andrew Hinshaw Jr.David Debrandon BrownDarhyl Camper Jr.I. Andrews | DJ Camper | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals)Kanye West (Featured Artist) |
| 2 |
Thick of It
#9
|
Mary J. BligeDarhyl Camper, Jr.Jazmine SullivanJohn GoodisonPhil Wainman | Mary Jane BligeDarhyl Camper Jr.Jazmine Marie SullivanJohn GoodisonPhil Wainman | DJ Camper | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 3 |
Set Me Free
|
Mary J. BligeDarhyl Camper, Jr.Jazmine SullivanCharles Hinshaw | Mary Jane BligeDarhyl Camper Jr.Jazmine Marie SullivanCharles Andrew Hinshaw Jr. | DJ Camper | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 4 |
It's Me
|
Mary J. BligePriscilla ReneaBrandon HodgeRico LoveDwayne NesmithTrey Songz | Mary Jane BligePriscilla Renea HamiltonBrandon HodgeRichard Preston Butler Jr.Dwayne NesmithTremaine Aldon Neverson | B.A.M. | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 5 |
Glow Up
|
Mary J. BligeDarhyl Camper, Jr.Jazmine SullivanDJ KhaledQuavoMissy Elliott | Mary Jane BligeDarhyl Camper Jr.Jazmine Marie SullivanKhaled Mohamed KhaledQuavious Keyate MarshallMelissa Arnette Elliott | DJ Camper | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals)Quavo (Featured Artist)DJ Khaled (Featured Artist)Missy Elliott (Featured Artist) |
| 6 |
U + Me (Love Lesson)
|
Mary J. BligeBrandon HodgeCharles HinshawDavid D. Brown | Mary Jane BligeBrandon HodgeCharles Andrew Hinshaw Jr.David Debrandon Brown | B.A.M. | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 7 |
Indestructible
|
Mary J. BligeBrandon HodgeDavion FarrisEric DawkinsElese Teyonie Russell | Mary Jane BligeBrandon HodgeDavion FarrisEric DawkinsElese Teyonie Russell | B.A.M. | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 8 |
Thank You
|
Mary J. BligeDarhyl Camper, Jr.Jazmine Sullivan | Mary Jane BligeDarhyl Camper Jr.Jazmine Marie Sullivan | DJ Camper | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 9 |
Survivor
|
Brandon HodgeWilliam TylerDavion FarrisDave HoddellSpike Hoddell | Brandon HodgeWilliam TylerDavion FarrisDave HoddellSpike Hoddell | B.A.M.William Tyler | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 10 |
Find the Love
|
Mary J. BligeCainon LambBigg DVincent Berry IICortni Elisa Jordan | Mary Jane BligeCainon LambDerrick BakerVincent Berry IICortni Elisa Jordan | Cainon LambBigg D | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 11 |
Smile
|
Mary J. BligeTheron FeemsterCharles Hinshaw | Mary Jane BligeTheron FeemsterCharles Andrew Hinshaw Jr. | Neff-U | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals)Prince Charlez (Featured Artist) |
| 12 |
Telling the Truth
|
Mary J. BligeKaytranadaDaniel CaesarMatthew TavaresChester HansenAlexander Sowinski | Mary Jane BligeLouis Kevin CelestinAshton Norwill SimmondsMatthew TavaresChester HansenAlexander Sowinski | KaytranadaBadBadNotGood | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals)Kaytranada (Featured Artist) |
| 13 |
Strength of a Woman
|
Mary J. BligeBrandon HodgeBenjamin WrightDavion FarrisEric Dawkins | Mary Jane BligeBrandon HodgeBenjamin WrightDavion FarrisEric Dawkins | B.A.M.Teddy Riley | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 14 |
Hello Father
|
Mary J. BligeBenjamin WrightHit-Boy | Mary Jane BligeBenjamin WrightChauncey Alexander Hollis Jr. | Hit-Boy | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 57 contributors
MJ
Mary J. Blige
Writer · Vocals
MJ
Mary Jane Blige
Writer
BH
Brandon Hodge
Writer
DC
Darhyl Camper Jr.
Writer
DC
Darhyl Camper, Jr.
Writer
CA
Charles Andrew Hinshaw Jr.
Writer
CH
Charles Hinshaw
Writer
JM
Jazmine Marie Sullivan
Writer
JS
Jazmine Sullivan
Writer
DF
Davion Farris
Writer
BW
Benjamin Wright
Writer
DD
David D. Brown
Writer
More from Mary J. Blige
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Share My World
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1999
50%
Mary
MCA
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82%
No More Drama
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2003
94%
Love & Life
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2005
69%
The Breakthrough
Geffen
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2007
81%
Growing Pains
Geffen
16 tracksProd. Bryan-Michael Cox
2009
83%
Stronger with Each Tear
Geffen
12 tracksProd. Stargate
2011
71%
My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1)
Geffen / Matriarch
14 tracksProd. Jerry Wonda
2013
0%
A Mary Christmas
Verve / Matriarch
12 tracksProd. David Foster
2014
83%
The London Sessions
Capitol / Matriarch
12 tracksProd. Rodney Jerkins
2022
100%
Good Morning Gorgeous
300 Entertainment
13 tracksProd. D'Mile
Frequently Asked Questions Strength of a Woman
Who wrote Strength of a Woman?
Mary J. Blige co-wrote most of the album with producers like DJ Camper and B.A.M. and writers including Jazmine Sullivan. 'Survivor' was written by the production team rather than Blige.
What inspired Strength of a Woman?
It was shaped by Blige's painful, public divorce, channeling heartbreak into resilience much like her early confessional work.
What are the singles from Strength of a Woman?
'Thick of It' was the breakup ballad lead single, with 'Love Yourself' featuring Kanye West also released.
Who produced Strength of a Woman?
Producers include DJ Camper, B.A.M., Hit-Boy, and Kaytranada with BadBadNotGood.
Who guests on Strength of a Woman?
Featured artists include Kanye West, Quavo, DJ Khaled, Missy Elliott, and Kaytranada.
How was Strength of a Woman received?
It was praised as a return to emotional form, reconnecting her with the vulnerability of her classic albums.