Sunday, June 21, 2009

She Plays Music

She Plays Music

Mary J. Blige and Keri Hilson Working With Chris Brown

Posted: 20 Jun 2009 10:57 AM PDT

Both seasoned veteran, Mary J. Blige, and up-and-comer, Keri Hilson, have been working with Chris Brown on some new music. 

Curiously, Mary J's new single is called "Stronger" and the lyrics are, of course, all about emerging from some dark times with the support of a loved one.  I know that some people have been wondering why she would choose to work with him now – they are such an odd pairing and he's still facing assault charges for allegedly attacking his girlfriend, Rihanna.  I understand what she's doing.  Mary J. has been through some tough times of her own and she attributes her successful and ability to overcome her struggles to the love and support of her husband and the good friends in her life.  I think that she's trying to do the same for Chris Brown. 

The song is okay.  I'm not sure that it's finished being mixed but it's a little stark and very bland compared with Mary J's usual sound.  There's not too much of Chris Brown in it so I'd barely call it a collaboration.  Listen to the song here and tell me what you think:

Meanwhile, Keri Hilson told E! Online the following:  "He [Chris Brown] contacted me like four or five days ago.  Us working together will probably be the first project I’ve worked on as a songwriter in a while."  Of course, this is more of a natural fit than the song with Mary J because Keri and Chris as closer in age, at similar points in their careers and have worked together in the past. 

Keri also had some optimistic things to say about the future of Chris' career:  "It is unfortunate what they are going through, but I always feel like if you’ve ever had a fan base, you’re really only one song away from appeasing that fan base.  Whether that song is autobiographical or whether you want to talk about that or not, you’re just one hit song away. And that’s what I think of the industry in a nutshell."

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