Mary J Blige’s London love affair
Written by admin on 30th November 2014
US soul singer Mary J Blige has worked with a host of young British musical talent to create her latest album The London Sessions.
Blige, who has nine Grammy awards and 20 years of experience to her name, has worked with the likes of dance duo Disclosure, Sam Smith and Emeli Sande to produce her latest opus in the UK.
“I did a remix with Disclosure which blew up over here and started trickling back to the States and doing well there. The idea was to do an EP with them.
“Steve Barnett [boss of record label Capitol] said why not take the whole idea and not just have them on the album but put you with some of the best talent, best writers, produce it in London and call it the London Sessions? That’s how it was born,” she says.
“I was out here for the whole summer. It’s not my first time – I’ve grown to love London a lot and it’s become one of my favourite places. This is my second home now because of having the chance to really embrace it, learn it and love it.
Blige says there is a considerable contrast between her native Brooklyn in New York City and the vibe of London.
“It’s a different environment and atmosphere and there’s the freedom to express myself the way I need to right now. There’s a liberty here that there’s not in the States. The radio stations and music are so diverse. It was a breath of fresh air for me to do that here.”
(Source: BBC News)
