Mary J. Blige Says She Only Makes Music People Want To Hear

Mary J Blige

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Mary J. Blige says she only makes music people want to hear when she’s out of her “comfort zone”.

The singer covered two Led Zeppelin tracks, Whole Lotta Love and Stairway to Heaven, on her new album Stronger with Each Tear. Her decision to re-record the rock tracks stunned some of her fans, but she is eager to keep her sound as fresh as possible.

“I just leave myself open to listen to other people and what advice they might have, and I’m open to understanding what the new generation might be listening to,” she explained. “At the same time I try not be scared to do something that might be a bit uncomfortable for me. I argue against it if people tell me not to do something because when I am out of the comfort zone I will always be where everybody wants me to be.”

Mary admits she isn’t a “Led fanatic”, but was keen to challenge herself. She decided to mix the rocky tracks with her usual R&B vibe, and is delighted with the results. “When you touch anything of greatness like this, you do whatever it is you do, whatever you’re feeling has to come out on the record to pay respect,” she explained.

There have been rumours Mary is going to portray legendary singer Nina Simone in a movie for several months. She has confirmed the film is going ahead, and she is delighted to have won the part.

Mary has spent a lot of time researching Nina’s life, and hopes she will do her justice in the biopic. “It’s something that went away and came back, went away and came back, went away and now it’s back for real,” she told radio host Steve Wright. “She was someone you didn’t want to mess with. She was very sure, I won’t say cocky, not sure. That’s the side I’ll have to act out, she had more of a male view on life.”