Music Review: Mary J. Blige - Strength of a Woman

The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul has always mined personal issues for her best work. This is the r&b diva known for such deeply confessional numbers as “Not Gon’ Cry” and “No More Drama.” For her 13^th studio album, Blige had the biggest real-life drama to draw from: divorce from her longtime manager-husband Martin “Kendu” Isaacs. She doesn’t pull her punches, attacking him for his infidelity in the scathing “Set Me Free.” “How could you believe I wouldn’t fight back,” she tells him on “Telling the Truth,” a club number produced by Canada’s Kaytranada. But most of the album is more positive, with warm numbers like “Indestructible” and “Survivor.” “I’ve been broken for a long time,” she sings on “Smile,” “now I’m standing in the sunshine.” Kanye West joins Blige on “Love Yourself,” while Missy Elliott guests on “Glow Up.” Although she’s the sovereign of suffering, Blige rises above her pain to create a powerful statement of empowerment.