It just saved you" (viaRolling Stone).

Most of the time I was just depressed and didn’t want to live.

It’s this through-line of music that earned Blige so many loyal fans.

Mary J Blige

“There was a lot wrong,” says Blige, “and it was a lot.

I needed to get out.

That’s why I had that pen” (via Page Six).

Mary J Blige