The world of R&B is alive and vibrant, thanks to the amazing talent of artists like Mary J. Blige, Usher and Trey Songz! These three dynamic forces have recently topped a chart listing the Best of 2012 R&B Albums with their respective albums ‘My Life II… The Journey Continues’, ‘Looking 4 Myself’ and ‘Chapter V’. Each artist has had an incredible amount of success in their own right, but together they are possessing fans around the globe with their unique brand of soulful music. Let’s take a closer look at these talented individuals and how they’ve managed to dominate this year’s charts.
Mary J. Blige has been churning out hit after hit since her debut album “What’s the 411” back in 1992. Since then she has gone on to become one of the most successful female solo artists in history, selling over 50 million records worldwide. Her latest release ‘My Life II… The Journey Continues’ was well received by critics and fans alike, earning her 6 Grammy nominations for her outstanding work. She continues to bring that fire into every performance as she tours all over the world singing classics such as “Family Affair” & “No More Drama”.
Usher Raymond IV needs no introduction; he’s been wowing audiences since his self-titled 1994 debut album! His seventh studio album titled “Looking 4 Myself” gained him five Grammy nominations earlier this year including Record Of The Year for his single “Climax”. He continues to captivate us with his powerful vocal range while simultaneously delivering dance moves that make it impossible not to move your feet!
Finally we come to Trey Songz who made waves with his fifth studio album Chapter V which debuted at number 1 on Billboard 200 Chart. On top of producing great singles such as “Heart Attack”, he also earned himself two Grammy Nominations for Best Contemporary R&B Album & Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for his duet with T.I., entitled “2 Reasons” . It seems there will be nothing stopping Trey from continuing to climb up those charts!
Notable Achievements
This year was a great one for R&B music with many artists delivering critically acclaimed albums. Mary J. Blige, Usher and Trey Songz all released new material that had fans raving about their respective projects. All three of these stars were at the top of the Best Of 2012 R&B Albums chart, making it an impressive feat to achieve such success in the same calendar year.
Usher’s seventh studio album Looking 4 Myself debuted at number one on Billboard 200 and received widespread acclaim from critics and fans alike. It featured hit singles like “Climax,” which topped various charts around the world, as well as collaborations with big names like Rick Ross and Pharrell Williams. The project put Usher back on the map as one of R&B’s biggest superstars of today.
Mary J. Blige also made waves this year with her highly anticipated album My Life II…The Journey Continues (Act 1). Despite being delayed multiple times due to label issues, MJB delivered a stellar effort that showcased her unique style and powerful vocals. Songs like “25/8” and “Why” showed off her signature sound while songs like “Mr Wrong” featuring Drake gave listeners something different than what they’ve come to expect from Mary J. Blige over the years. My Life II performed very well commercially and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Trey Songz closed out 2012 strong with his fifth studio album Chapter V, which saw him return to his traditional soulful sound after venturing into pop territory on his last two records Passion, Pain & Pleasure and Ready respectively. Lead single “Heart Attack” quickly climbed up the charts and further established Trey Songz as one of R&B’s leading male artists today; other standout tracks include “2 Reasons” featuring T.I., “Simply Amazing”, and “Dive In”. With its combination of slow jams, uptempo bangers, slick production, personal subject matter, Chapter V proved itself to be another worthy addition to Trey Songz’ discography – no small accomplishment considering his already impressive track record thus far in his career.
Critical Reception
The critical response to the new releases from Mary J. Blige, Usher and Trey Songz was overwhelmingly positive across the board. Critics praised their efforts for being able to move beyond trends and deliver heartfelt music that resonated with listeners of all ages.
Usher’s Looking 4 Myself earned universal acclaim, with many calling it his best work since 2004’s Confessions. Rolling Stone gave the album four out of five stars and hailed it as “an ode to self-empowerment”, while Pitchfork declared it one of the year’s most vibrant R&B albums. On top of this, Billboard named Looking 4 Myself its number-one Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums of 2012 in December.
Mary J. Blige’s My Life II also received mostly favorable reviews; Vibe Magazine called it an “ambitious” effort while AllMusic declared that she was back on her A game after a few missteps in recent years. The record debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 chart, making it her eleventh consecutive studio album to do so – another impressive feat considering how long she has been active in the industry.
Trey Songz’ Chapter V proved itself to be another hit for him commercially and critically alike; Entertainment Weekly proclaimed that he had shown growth as an artist with this project, while HipHopDX said that Chapter V showcased his “most mature side yet”. It was nominated for Best Contemporary R&B Album at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards, further cementing its place among some of 2012’s best offerings from within genre boundaries.
Conclusion
It has been an extraordinary year for R&B music in 2012, with Mary J. Blige, Usher and Trey Songz topping the Best of 2012 chart. Their success is a testament to their hard work and dedication to their craft over the years, as well as the love they have received from fans around the world.
Their achievements are all remarkable in their own right. Mary J. Blige’s album “My Life II” was praised by critics for its soulful sound and timeless appeal; while Usher’s album “Looking 4 Myself”, blended modern production techniques with classic songwriting skills to create a captivating listening experience; and Trey Songz’ album “Chapter V” featured some of his best vocal performances yet, proving that he can still deliver hit songs even after many successful years in the industry.
Clearly, it has been an amazing year for R&B music thanks to these talented artists – each one making a lasting contribution to this growing genre. As we look ahead into 2013, I’m sure there will be plenty more surprises waiting to be discovered from these three stars!
