3-D Gamified Experience Created For Mary J. Blige Superfans

UMe's Urban Legends And Soul In The Horn Team Up To Create One-Of-A-Kind 3-D Gamified Experience That Takes Mary J. Blige Superfans On An Intimate Journey Celebrating Her Groundbreaking Album 'My Life'

The Queen Of Hip-Hop Soul's Personal, Vulnerable 1994 Second Album Set For 2CD, Double Vinyl And A Special Edition 3LP Via Geffen/UMe

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE


NEWS PROVIDED BY
UMe

UMe's Urban Legends, the label imprint and cross-platform initiative devoted to the curation and celebration of over three decades of urban catalog music and culture, and Soul In The Horn, an innovative digital movement that seeks to bridge cultural gaps by bringing together a diverse cross-section of creative talents, have teamed up to create an extraordinary one-of-a-kind 3-D experience for ardent Mary J. Blige fans that celebrates the November 29 anniversary of My Life, one of the most critically acclaimed and important R&B albums of all time.

Over the past few days, 500 randomly selected superfans from her newsletter and website, ages 21+, received an invitation to dive into a dynamic online environment full of rare content via mobile or desktop that mirrors virtual reality. Custom-built so fans can interact with one another as well as with digital concierges designed to guide them on-demand throughout the journey, UMe's Urban Legends and Soul In The Horn provide VIP access to My Life music, performances, visuals and more.

Mary J. Blige, the legendary singer-songwriter, actress, philanthropist and honorary Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, will re-release her acclaimed 1994 sophomore album, My Life, on November 20 via Geffen/UMe. The album will be released in three physical forms: a 2CD, a standard weight black double vinyl, and a triple vinyl edition in translucent blue with a lenticular cover, including bonus tracks featuring LL Cool J, and Smif 'N Wessun. The 3LP edition will also be available digitally which will also feature commentary by Mary J. Blige on the original album tracks. From her No. 57 hit "You Bring Me Joy" to her No. 22 version of Rose Royce's 1976 soul classic "I'm Going Down," My Life was one of Blige's most creatively vital works to date.

Bringing fans into My Life through an immersive digital experience fittingly celebrates an iconic artist and her groundbreaking album. In addition to basics such as emojis, chats and avatars to spur conversations, the journey starts in the studio and continues through to the stage allowing for 360 panning and immersive audio as visitors move through the virtual space easily navigated on mobile or desktop devices. For additional guidance, fans may enlist the on-demand help of a concierge. The experience is scaled so that as one moves closer to or away from the action, video and sound increase and decrease proportionately. Once inside, fans discover a great room that allows for roaming from one area to another solo or with other fans. Areas include a studio environment where fans can listen to My Life with track-by-track commentary from Mary J. Blige as she discusses each song and what it means to her; a digital closet with deep dives into Blige's fashion statements and iconic looks; a special merchandise corner showcasing the Mary J. Blige Sun Goddess wine brand, and another area, a digital merch table, brings fans to the Mary J. Blige online store. A stylish lounge invites fans to sit back and watch rarely seen interviews with Mary J. Blige. There's even a main stage where, as the headlining performer, Mary J. Blige takes the stage in filmed performances and videos. Fans can post about their experiences using #MJBMYLife.

'Welcome To My Life' brings an innovative artist and one of her most significant projects to some of her most dedicated fans via an innovative platform in an era when at-home entertainment is more important than ever.

In time, Blige became a global symbol of female empowerment and perseverance, but on My Life, she lay her soul bare to brilliant ends. For those who want to relive Blige's embattled masterpiece, now's the chance to rediscover My Life.

My Life Track Listing (2xLP)

Side A
Intro
Mary Jane (All Night Long)
You Bring Me Joy
Marvin Interlude
I'm The Only Woman

Side B
K. Murray Interlude
My Life
You Gotta Believe
I Never Wanna Live Without You

Side C
I'm Goin' Down
My Life Interlude
Be With You
Mary's Joint

Side D
Don't Go
I Love You
No One Else
Be Happy

My Life Track Listing (2CD / 3xLP CE)

Side A
Intro
Mary Jane (All Night Long)
You Bring Me Joy
Marvin Interlude
I'm The Only Woman

Side B
K. Murray Interlude
My Life
You Gotta Believe
I Never Wanna Live Without You

Side C
I'm Goin' Down
My Life Interlude
Be With You
Mary's Joint

Side D
Don't Go
I Love You
No One Else
Be Happy

Side E (Bonus Tracks)
Mary Jane (All Night Long) [Remix] Feat. LL Cool J
I'm Goin' Down (Remix) Feat. Mr. Cheeks
I Love You (Remix) Feat. Smif N' Wessun

Side F (Bonus Tracks)
Be Happy (Bad Boy Butter Remix)
Be Happy (Ron G Remix)
(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman

About

ABOUT MARY J. BLIGE
Iconic Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, Oscar-nominated actress, producer and philanthropist, Mary J. Blige is a figure of inspiration, transformation and empowerment making her one of the defining voices of the contemporary music era. With a track record of eight multi-platinum albums, nine Grammy Awards (plus a staggering 32 nominations), two Academy Award nominations, two Golden Globe nominations, and a SAG nomination, among many other accolades, Blige has cemented herself as a global superstar. And in the ensuing years, the singer/songwriter has attracted an intensely loyal fan base—responsible for propelling worldwide sales of more than 50 million albums.

Influenced at an early age by the music of Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan and Gladys Knight, Blige brought her own gritty, urban-rooted style—fusing hip-hop, soul and honest, frank lyrics—to the forefront on her 1992 debut album What's the 411? The multi-platinum set, executive produced by Sean "Diddy" Combs, quickly spun off several hits, including two R&B No. 1s: "You Remind Me" and "Real Love." Blige helped redefine R&B and began forging a unique niche for herself on the more personal second album, 1994's My Life. She is loved for her passionate, chart-topping hits like "Be Without You," "No More Drama" and "Family Affair," all of which have made her a force in music.

Each subsequent album reads like a chapter from an autobiography: Share My World (1997), Mary (1999), No More Drama (2001), Love & Life (2003), the multiple Grammy-winning and hit-spewing The Breakthrough (2005), Growing Pains (2007), Stronger with Each Tear (2009), My Life II... The Journey Continues (2011), A Mary Christmas (2013) and The London Sessions (2014). Along the way, she's lined up a string of hit singles, including "Not Gon' Cry," "Love Is All We Need," "Seven Days," "All That I Can Say," "Family Affair" and "Just Fine."

Blige released her 14th studio album Strength of a Woman in 2017. The first single, "Thick of It," held the number 1 spot on the Urban AC Chart for 16 consecutive weeks after its release in November. Blige also scored her latest #1 single off this album with "U + Me (Love Lesson)."

Source UMe

November 18, 2020 12:10pm ET by UMe  

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