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Love & Life

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Soul Queen covers a range of emotions about life.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 14 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Some powerful self-image-boosting material juxtaposed with lyrics like "I'll do what you want if you don't hurt me" (in "Ooh!") make the overall message confusing.
  • Violence:

    Not an issue.
  • Sex:

    Suggestive sexuality --lots!-- but very little that's explicit.
  • Language:

    A "s--t" and "N" word here and there, but not all that often.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    There's "a fifth by my side" in "Don't Go." Love as an addiction is a whole other story......

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Love & Life was written by Kathi Kamen Goldmark

Parents need to know that Mary's message careens from girlfriend solidarity to racial pride to giving up way too much for love. There's some God stuff in there, too. In a way, the songs cancel each other out. Younger listeners might have a question or two.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about artists singing about their personal lives. Do you like it when singers divulge details of their good and bad times? Do you think personal stories add to a song? In what way?
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More on Love & Life

What’s the Story?

Mary J. Blige does herself--and her girlfriends -- proud on this stunning CD. The dramatic beginning -- a moody synthesized instrumental leading into the artist's answering machine greeting--might be over the top, as are the rapped accolades by P. Diddy and Jay-Z. But once Mary herself enters the scene, the production and arrangements are interesting, tasteful, and beautifully executed. Especially notable on LOVE & LIFE is the texture of the background vocals, and the way they complement and enhance Blige's well-delivered leads.

Is It Any Good?

The songs are interesting throughout the CD, though occasionally cringe-worthy. The socially conscious "Finally Made It (Interlude)" delivers a strong "If I could do it, so can you" message. Then "Ooh!" follows, with "I do what you want if you don't hurt me--I'll cook and clean, I'll make you happy." We could all live without more of this particular message in music. But overall, Mary J. Blige covers a range of emotions about life, love, pride, and prejudice with style and beauty -- and with great backup vocals to match.

Music Details

Released on: 8/19/2003
Parental advisory: No, Edited version available: No

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on and give it 5.0

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