Things are looking up for Mary J. Blige.
It’s no secret that the queen of hip-hop soul has seen her share of tough times, including the recent dissolution of her marriage to longtime manager Kendu Isaacs, but she’s moving past all that and starting 2018 on a very high note. Not only did she just receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (on her birthday, no less), but when the Oscar nominations were announced on Jan. 23, she made history by becoming the first person to receive both an acting nomination and a song nomination — for her work on Netflix’s Mudbound — in the same year.
Her moving portrayal of Florence Jackson, the wife of a black sharecropper in rural Mississippi at the end of World War II, earned her a best supporting actress nomination. And along with co-writers Raphael Saadiq and Taura Stinson, she received a best original song nomination for the film’s uplifting end-title track, “Mighty River,” which she also performs.
Blige didn’t know she would be contributing the song until after the film was complete, but long before that, she knew she wanted the job.
“I couldn’t wait,” Blige recalls. “I didn’t want to ask [director Dee Rees for the opportunity to write the song] because Dee had given me so much already by offering me the role and just blessing me with that part, but I couldn’t wait for them to come to me and ask me to sing the end-title song. It was like I was just laying in the cut, waiting. And when they did, it was right up my alley. I was like, ‘Yes! This is too good.’”
It was the end of 2016, and Blige was touring with fellow R&B artist Maxwell when she got the call. Right away, she thought about collaborating with Saadiq. They had worked together a number of times over the years, and they had co-produced and co-written the original song “I See in Color” for 2009’s Precious.
“I just think Raphael is amazing when it comes to these types of songs for these movies,” she says.
Eager to begin working on the track, in the middle of the tour Blige went home and went right to the studio.
“Of course I’d seen the film, so I had all my notes typed down about what moved me in the film to these words,” she says. “I went over to Raphael’s and I showed him my words, and before you knew it we were in the studio recording these words and writing these words, writing together.”
Replete with soulful harmonies, “Mighty River” harks back to Blige’s gospel roots. She grew up singing in church, and the chorus taps into the gospel tradition of call and response, with Blige driving the song forward and a choir of background singers answering back.
“I believe that’s a lot of what gospel is. It’s a lot of call and respond — it’s a lot of basically crowd participation in church,” she explains. “When people are in church, it’s a lot of responding to what the pastor says or responding to what the choir is singing, rejoicing to what they’re singing. So I don’t know if it was so conscious; it’s just something that we do. Even in R&B we do it.”
The song’s river theme also speaks to a long history of hymns and spirituals in which water — and rivers in particular — serve as a force of absolution and healing, a force as urgently needed in today’s America as in the Jim Crow South so poignantly depicted in Mudbound.
“Water is cleansing and a river is strong, a river is powerful. So it’s going to take something really powerful to come through and cleanse everything,” Blige says. “It’s not going to take rain, because rain is great and it’s good, but a river is mighty and it’s going to sweep through. And when I say ‘cutting through a rock’ [in the lyrics], it cuts through rock. It cuts through hatred, and that’s why it’s a mighty river. And I believe the mud is a representation of the hatred. In Mudbound, the mud was everywhere, like hatred’s everywhere. But love is everywhere too, and love is more powerful than hate. That’s why love is representing the mighty river, because love is way more powerful than hate, I believe.
“Unfortunately for a time like this we need a song like this. We need a movie like this,” Blige adds. “The movie is so important, and the song is equally important, because we need these things, and the timing is everything. This is the time. I couldn’t plan this. It’s what it’s supposed to be.”
Crafting the Anthem of Resilience
Blige’s journey in creating “Mighty River” is emblematic of her resilience and dedication. Amid personal turmoil and a grueling tour schedule, she found solace and strength in her music. Collaborating with Saadiq and Stinson brought a synergistic energy to the project, allowing them to channel the film’s powerful narrative into a song that transcends the screen.
“I think what makes ‘Mighty River’ so special is that it’s born out of real emotions and real experiences,” Blige says. “We were all so deeply moved by Mudbound and the stories it tells. We wanted to create something that would not only honor those stories but also offer hope and encouragement to everyone who hears it.”
The collaborative process was intense and focused. Blige, Saadiq, and Stinson spent hours in the studio, meticulously crafting each lyric and melody to ensure that the song would resonate with audiences. The result is a track that blends soulful vocals, poignant lyrics, and a stirring arrangement, capturing the essence of the film’s themes of struggle, survival, and redemption.
A Song Rooted in History and Hope
“Mighty River” draws on a rich tradition of African American music, weaving together elements of gospel, soul, and blues. For Blige, this was a conscious choice, reflecting both her personal musical roots and the historical context of Mudbound.
“The music that I grew up with, the music that’s in my bones, is all about storytelling and expressing deep, sometimes painful truths,” Blige explains. “Gospel music, in particular, has this incredible power to uplift and inspire, even in the face of hardship. That’s what we wanted to bring to ‘Mighty River’.”
The song’s lyrics speak to both the historical injustices faced by the characters in Mudbound and the ongoing struggles against racism and inequality in today’s world. Lines like “Let the river wash you over” and “Mighty river, let your love wash through” are calls to action and reminders of the enduring power of love and unity.
Blige’s Artistic Evolution
Blige’s involvement in Mudbound marks a significant milestone in her artistic journey. Known primarily as a singer and performer, her critically acclaimed acting debut in the film has opened new doors and showcased her versatility as an artist.
“Acting in Mudbound was a transformative experience for me,” Blige says. “It pushed me to explore new facets of myself and my abilities. It was challenging, but also incredibly rewarding. And being able to contribute to the film’s soundtrack was the perfect way to bring everything full circle.”
Her performance as Florence Jackson has been lauded for its depth and authenticity, earning her numerous accolades and solidifying her status as a multifaceted talent. For Blige, the experience has been both humbling and empowering, reinforcing her belief in the power of storytelling through different mediums.
A Legacy of Empowerment
Blige’s work on Mudbound and “Mighty River” is more than just a professional achievement; it’s a continuation of her lifelong commitment to using her platform to uplift and empower others. Throughout her career, she has been a vocal advocate for issues such as domestic violence, addiction recovery, and mental health, drawing on her own experiences to connect with and support her fans.
“Music has always been my way of dealing with life’s challenges and connecting with people,” Blige says. “I’ve been through a lot, and I’ve always tried to be honest about that in my music. With Mudbound and ‘Mighty River’, I saw an opportunity to take that a step further, to tell a story that’s bigger than just me and to use my voice to bring attention to important issues.”
The impact of her work is evident not only in the critical acclaim and awards but also in the heartfelt responses from audiences. Fans have praised Blige for her raw and honest portrayal of Florence Jackson, and “Mighty River” has become an anthem of resilience and hope for many.
Looking Ahead
As Blige reflects on the success of Mudbound and “Mighty River”, she is filled with a sense of gratitude and excitement for the future. The recognition she has received for her work has opened new doors and inspired her to continue exploring different artistic avenues.
“I feel incredibly blessed and grateful for everything that’s happened,” Blige says. “It’s been a journey, but it’s one that I’m so proud of. And I’m excited to see what’s next. There are so many stories to tell and so many ways to tell them. I’m looking forward to continuing this journey and seeing where it takes me.”
Blige’s journey from a young girl singing in the church choir to an Oscar-nominated artist is a testament to her talent, resilience, and unwavering dedication to her craft. With “Mighty River” and Mudbound, she has not only made history but also created a legacy of empowerment and hope that will inspire generations to come.
As she continues to break barriers and redefine what it means to be an artist, Mary J. Blige remains a beacon of strength and inspiration, proving that with passion, perseverance, and a little bit of faith, anything is possible.
