Mary J. Blige may be going through trying times in her private life, but professionally she continues to shine.
Last week saw the Queen of Hip-Hop/Soul unleash her latest album ‘Strength Of A Woman.’
The set arrives at a time when MJB’s name has been a firm fixture in the headlines due to her oh so public divorce from former manager Kendu Isaacs.
It would appear that the heightened interest surrounding the drama in her life has positively affected her commercial clout.
For, ‘Strength’ has become her strongest debut on the US Billboard 200 in seven years.
Opening at #3 with 78,000 SPS units (and 72k in traditional album sales), the LP gifts Blige her best placing since ‘Stronger With Each Tear’ debuted and peaked at #2 in 2010.
The project also grants Blige her best sales week since 2011, when ‘My Life II… The Journey Continues (Act 1)’ arrived with 156,000 sold in its first week.
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Kudos to the Queen!
‘Strength’ is a commendable effort with a number of avenues to explore singles wise – especially ‘Glow Up.’
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I thought it would go platinum in a week considering all the drama around her divorce
Since when does divorce drama equal good sales?
She doesn’t have the radio push needed for that. If this were 2005 and she were under 40 hip hop/r&b and some pop stations would at least be playing her songs (“U+Me” especially). Now she just gets adult contemp. and some hip hop/r&b. Ageism is a real thing unfortunately no one cares.
You are delusional / crazy if you think Mary is going platinum in a week. At her peak when the industry was decent saleswise she never went platinum in a week. I think her numbers are good.
I like a couple songs on the album but i feel like for mary it should’ve done more. However my life prt 2: the journey continues still bumps in my car
Solid album from Mary. After all these years she’s still here and making quality music.
Congrats Mary, I purchased SOAW and I love it.
Disappointed in Mary’s fan base though. I understand that it’s a different climate for R&B music. And the first week sales won’t be like it was 12 years ago…but… ya’ll could have pushed Mary sales to at least 150k sold.
I disagree. I think her numbers are good. You are living in the past. Why would you expect a large number of people to buy an album with no hit singles on it???? People want hit singles to even consider buying something these days.
Qween, she has 2 hits off this cd so far. So stfu
Anything that Mary J Blige does works for me!! ?✅
The album is amazing! I’m so proud of her. Go Mary!
What happen to vh1 showing the album documentary??
Radio sucks. All of her singles should be played on urban contemporary stations. They are trash. She would have sold so many more albums, with a hit or two on urban radio..
H0 she has 2 hits singles already on this cd
Mary’s vocals has changed from smoking or sucking that guys D***..yes oral s** can change a woman’s pitch…when a rod is being jammed down her throat I don’t give a damn if you don’t believe it. N …. The divorce is a publicity stunt new drama new album a few days before the release. Do your thing Ms.blige
That is pure NONSENSE. S** has no effects on vocal cords. Smoking and alcohol does but not s**. You are obviously inexperienced sexually and just throwing out random speculation with no merits.
So thats whats changed YOUR pitch? Having 12in rods jammed down yo willing throat u DAMN SISSY!!!
Thanks. …. any classic Trained singer vocal coach or whoever can tell you sticking something down your throat everyday will change the pitch also smoking or drinking yes can change a person’s pitch. And her and kendu been done…its a publicity stunt.. Mary know what she’s doing
72k in PURE sales is way more that what I expected and more than almost any R&B release during the last 3 years.
Unbreakable from Janet had more
Mary been knew. That bum was spending up her cash…his black ass been out the door. ..so she use it to her advantage. ..the music biz is a biz