After a weekend of celebration, Mary J. Blige kicks off the new week with the number one R&B song in the U.S.
“Breathing,” featuring Fabolous, rises from No. 3 to No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart. The S. Dot-produced track replaces Maxwell‘s cover of Al Green’s classic “Simply Beautiful,” which reigned for two weeks.
Blige now has nine No. 1 hits on this chart. It’s her second consecutive chart-topper after “Still Believe in Love” featuring Vado, which started the year at the top.
The song, which samples Mtume and is co-produced by DJ Cassidy and Jeff “Gitty” Gitelman, stayed at the top spot for eight weeks.
In a recent interview with Rated R&B, Gitelman discusses the genesis of “Still Believe in Love” and how the concept came to fruition. “DJ Cassidy, who’s a friend of mine, and he’s the co-producer, came to me with a vision, and he wanted, in the style of her album My Life, to kind of go back to an older soul sound but bring it into the now.”
“Breathing” is Blige’s second track featuring a rapper to reach the top, following her collaboration with Vado. This latest achievement also puts Blige in a four-way tie with Maxwell, Tank, and Usher for the fourth-most No. 1s.
Charlie Wilson has 10 No. 1s, while Toni Braxton has 11. Alicia Keys holds the record for the most chart-topping hits, with 14.
Here is a breakdown of all of Blige’s No. 1 hits on the Adult R&B Airplay chart:
- “Thick of It,” 16 weeks at No. 1 (2016)
- “Be Without You,” 14 weeks at No. 1 (2006)
- “IfULeave,” Musiq Soulchild featuring Mary J. Blige, eight weeks at No. 1 (2009)
- “Still Believe in Love” featuring Vado, eight weeks at No. 1 (2024)
- “Good Morning Gorgeous,” four weeks at No. 1 (2022)
- “Not Gon’ Cry,” four weeks at No. 1 (1996)
- “U + Me (Love Lesson),” three weeks at No. 1 (2017)
- “Take Me As I Am,” one week at No. 1 (2007)
- “Breathing” featuring Fabolous, one week at No. 1 so far (2024)
As for Fabolous, “Breathing” is his second No. 1 on the Adult R&B chart and his second this year. He previously had a two-week run atop as a featured artist on Tank’s “Before We Get Started.”
Elsewhere on Billboard, “Breathing” has risen to No. 13 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.
“Breathing” is Blige’s lead single from her forthcoming album, Gratitude, which releases Nov. 15 via Mary Jane Productions in conjunction with 300 Entertainment.
Regarding the inspiration behind her current single, Blige said, “The story behind the track is what I’m doing finally, which is living, breathing, enjoying my life and celebrating the happiness and freedom I have that life brings. I finally get to exhale and inhale and then exhale and enjoy life, enjoy love.”
Blige’s chart news arrives after unveiling the official cover art and tracklist for Gratitude. In addition to Fabolous, the 12-track set will include features from Fat Joe, Jadakiss, and FERG (previously known as A$AP Ferg).
She also released “You Ain’t The Only One” as the official second single from her upcoming album.
Blige is enjoying a banner year, having just been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. She performed at the star-studded event and was honored by Ella Mai, Lucky Daye, Method Man, and Dr. Dre.
In other news, Blige is scheduled to headline a national tour in 2025. Produced by Live Nation, the For My Fans Tour begins on Jan. 30 and ends on April 14. Ne-Yo and Mario will be special guests.
Listen to Mary J. Blige’s latest single, “Breathing,” featuring Fabolous below.
