Mary J. Blige is gearing up to launch a new era of music. The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul has announced her new album, Gratitude, will release Nov. 15 via 300 Entertainment/Mary Jane Productions.
Blige announced the news about her 15th album on Monday morning (Sept. 23) during her appearance on the SHERRI show.
“It’s called Gratitude because that’s where I am,” Blige told host Sherri Shepherd.
When asked what gratitude meant to her, Blige shared, “I mean, look at my life right now. I’m in a constant state of gratitude. I feel good. I have jobs and opportunities. I’m healthy. My family’s healthy. I have people around that care for me and love me. And I have amazing fans. I’m so grateful to my fans for all the years of love that they’ve given me and support.”
Blige also announced The For My Fans Tour with special guests Ne-Yo and Mario. While dates were not immediately shared, Blige confirmed that the tour will begin in January 2025. “If you are a Mary J. Blige fan, this is for you,” she teased.
Circling back to Gratitude, the album will include the Fabolous-assisted single “Breathing,” which was released Aug. 16.
“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,” Blige explained. “I finally get to exhale and inhale and then exhale and enjoy life, enjoy love.”
The feel-good single debuted at No. 17 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart during the week of Aug. 31. It simultaneously debuted at No. 6 on the R&B Digital Song Sales chart, tallying Blige’s ninth top 10 hit.
In its third week on the Adult R&B Airplay chart, “Breathing” entered the top 10 at No. 8, which became her 27th top 10 hit on that chart. At the time of publication, the S. Dot-produced track is No. 4.
“Breathing” marked Blige’s first single since releasing “Still Believe In Love” in October 2023. The Vado-featured hit spent eight weeks at No. 1 on the Adult R&B Airplay chart. It’s not confirmed if “Still Believe In Love” will appear on Gratitude.
Blige’s forthcoming album will release nearly a month after she is inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The ceremony, which will also celebrate icons like Dionne Warwick, Kool & The Gang, Cher, and others, takes place Saturday, Oct. 19, in Cleveland, Ohio. The induction ceremony will air live on Disney+ and will be available on Hulu Sunday, Oct. 20.
Gratitude is the follow-up to Blige’s 2022 album, Good Morning Gorgeous. The album included the hit single “Good Morning Gorgeous,” which was produced by D’Mile and H.E.R. The gold-selling, self-affirming track spent four weeks at atop the Adult R&B Airplay chart.
Good Morning Gorgeous spawned six nominations, including Album of the Year and Best R&B Album, at the 65th Grammy Awards.
Watch Mary J. Blige’s interview with Sherri Shepherd below.
