Mary J. Blige, “Rent Money” | Track Review

Mary J. Blige continues her ‘comeback tour’ with “Rent Money” featuring Dave East, the third single from Good Morning Gorgeous.

“T

his can’t be reality / I’m picking up the pieces of the puzzle / Here all by myself, yeah / I can’t even wish you well.” Da-yum! After nearly a five-year break, Grammy-winning R&B standout Mary J. Blige is back! The comeback was inevitable considering she released two marvelous singles in 2021: “Good Morning Gorgeous” and “Amazing” (featuring DJ Khaled). Good Morning Gorgeous is also the name of her 15^th studio album, arriving February 11, 2022.  In advance of this long-awaited comeback, MJB releases the third single, “Rent Money” featuring rapper Dave East.  If nothing else, Blige brings ample attitude.

Honestly, the D’Mile produced “Rent Money” is relatively chill. Notably, it samples The Notorious B.I.G. record, “Fuck You Tonight”.  For good measure, over the relaxed, soulful backdrop, Mary J. Blige brings some bite.  That bite, of course, is a pair of f-bombs that grace the chorus:

“Look now my rent money due

I spent everything fuckin’ with you, oh

They say you win some, you win some you lose

All I got is rent money due

Fucking with you.”

Oh, snap! If the chorus didn’t make it clear, Mary J. Blige invested her all into this man and she’s literally left with nothing.  After spending, being loyal, and of course, sex, she’s ultimately in a bad spot – that rent is due!  Basically, she can’t depend on him. Dave East, fittingly, plays the guy who’s messed over her, asserting, “Phone out, she recording / Just so she can get the proof / It was all good when we was in the mood.” Sounds like he’s no good, Mary!

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Final Thoughts  

Mary J. Blige thrives when there’s pain.  On “Rent Money,” there’s no question she’s in a bad spot after investing everything into him.  The result is another strong single from Good Morning Gorgeous.  I’m not sure I prefer it to the two preceding singles, but all in all, Mary sounds like she’s ‘on.’

 

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Mary J. Blige • Good Morning Gorgeous • Mary Jane Productions / 300 Entertainment • 2.11.22
[: 300 Entertainment, Brent Faulkner, Mary Jane Productions, The Musical Hype, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]

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