July 18, 2009

By Michael Menachem

Mary J. Blige joins Auto-Tune nation on her new single "The One," tapping the much-hyped Canadian rapper Drake for the first single on her upcoming fall release. Unleashing her "crazy," the R&B siren sings a warped vocal that enhances the song's vibe of controlled chaos. Drake, who has his own hip-hop/R&B hit "Best I Ever Had," adds a punch of confidence that matches the intensity of Blige's snappy lyrics. Producer Rodney Jerkins, who has been churning out hits since the '90s, provides a forceful rhythmic structure for Blige in the form of a constant pulse underlying his pounding beats. Whether she's demanding exclusivity from her man or touting drama-free single life, Blige always sounds strong.

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