Garth Brooks remains at #1, so we'll drop down to #7 and listen to My Life by Mary J. Blige. Looking through my listening history, it appears that I've listened to this album once before in 2012. I do not remember it at all and none of the songs seemed familiar 13 years later. Other than the listens to this album, I've barely listened to Mary J. Blige. Her music is fine, and this album feels extremely 90s to me, but clearly she's not my favorite.
I do want to highlight that she has successfully pivoted her career in music to other fields. On her official website she is promoting/selling:
- A new album from November, 2024
- A 2025 tour. For a measly $740 I can get a VIP ticket when she comes to Denver. If I'm reading the seating map correctly, for the concert in one month she's sold 10 of 68 VIP seats. I don't know the economics and velocity of ticket sales but that doesn't seem good
- $1,500 high-heeled, thigh-high boots
- A new music video
- A TV show she's in called Power Book II: Ghost that streams on "Starz"
- Jewelry that, in my opinion, is quite gaudy. The men's jewelry section is titled "MAJESTY FOR MEN," and I'm sorry, the only majesty I'm interested in is Trogdor's.
- More new music
All the above is good for her, but I am not interested. I have no ill will; I hope she sells all of her concert tickets, boots, and gaudy jewelry. The album itself is, again, fine, but clearly not memorable to me. I'll probably never listen to it again.