Mary J. Blige, Breathing | Song Review 🎵

Grammy-winning R&B singer/songwriter Mary J. Blige taps fellow New Yorker, rapper Fabolous for the enjoyable, amorous single, “Breathing.”

“I think to myself, ‘Is this real or can I be dreamin’?’ / I think I’m in love.” Aww! She’s back! Who? Two-time Academy Award-nominated and Grammy-winning actress/singer Mary J. Blige, of course! And just in case you were worried, she’s alive and well – she’s “Breathing”! In her first single as the credited lead artist in 2024, she collaborates with veteran, Grammy-nominated rapper, Fabolous. Blige, Fabolous, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins (!), Jocelyn Donald, and Jose Leonel Sandoval penned “Breathing.” Shaun “S. Dot” Thomas produced. Hawkins’ frightening 1956 classic, “I Put A Spell On You”, is sampled. The sample is prominent from the start. I love the way that it’s integrated into “Breathing.” It’s distinct and ear-catching. Thomas adds a sick, rhythmic beat, giving “Breathing” a hip-hop/hip-hop soul vibe, which suits both Loso and Mary. The bass line is a win, too.

Fabolous is the first voice heard in the record, confidently rapping the first verse. “So better breathe, nigga, one and then a two / I’m the one and the two, I’m the one they look up to,” he asserts, adding, “Haters see me coming through, gotta shut their mouth now (Shh) / They huff, and they puff, but they couldn’t blow this house down.” Ah, gotta love The Three Little Pigs! Blige enters the mix post-Loso, singing authentically and soulfully about L-O-V-E. “Those things you do to me / Leaves a lasting impression on my heart,” she sings in the verse, adding, “There ain’t no second best / I’ve had my wasted times, but no regrets.” In the chorus, she tells him, “Since we’ve been together, I’ve been countin’ seconds with you /…And I’m inhalin’ deep, boy, I am breathing / You’re so much better for me, oh.” The melodies are a mix of legato lines and more rhythmic ones.  It’s tuneful in both instances.  Also, upping the ante for MJB are lovely, harmonized vocals.  Not only is it good that Blige is in a good place, but the music is good as well.  “Breathing” is a win.

Mary J. Blige // “Breathing” // 300 Entertainment / Mary Jane Productions // 8.16.24

Mary J. Blige, Breathing (Ft. Fabolous) [📷: Brent Faulkner/The Musical Hype; 300 Entertainment / Mary Jane Productions; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Królestwo Nauki, OpenClipart-Vectors, Pete Linforth, Tumisu from Pixabay]