Mary J. Blige is the reigning queen of hip-hop soul. Her iconic albums like ‘What’s The 411,’ ‘Share My World,’ and ‘The Breakthrough’ is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Mary J. Blige’s groundbreaking career. Most of our mothers and aunties stayed spinning Mary J. Blige’s records, and many of us are now blasting those same classic hits like ‘Real Love,’ ‘I Can Love You,’ and ‘Not Gon’ Cry’ from our own music playlists. Although Mary J. Blige’s record hit list is endless, there was almost one more song added to her repertoire of smash singles.
Rihanna’s chart topping and record breaking 2007 hit “Umbrella” almost was recorded by Mary J. Blige. The song, written by singer songwriter The-Dream and fellow songwriter Christopher “Tricky” Stewart, actually landed in the lap of Mary J. Blige before it went to pop superstar Rihanna.
As noted by Elle, during an appearance on Bravo’s ‘Watch What Happens Live After Show’, Mary J. Blige was asked a fan submitted question about why she turned down the song by host Andy Cohen. “It was during Grammy time for me, it was a big Grammy time. I was nominated for eight Grammys and I was trying to get myself together for that,” she explained. “And during that time, that’s when ‘Umbrella’ came to me and I couldn’t do anything with it because I was so busy with my own life and I was like, you know what? It doesn’t even sound like me anyway.”
Even though Mary J Blige could have potentially had another hit song as a notch on her belt, she is completely content with her decision to forego ‘Umbrella’. In response to Andy Cohen asking her if she “regretted the decision,” she confidently said “No, because Everything about that song was tailor-made for Rihanna and nothing about that song was Mary J. Blige” she said. “My fans would’ve been bugging out on me. But for Rihanna, it was perfect” Mary J. Blige added.
Although the song eventually found its rightful songstress to bring it to life, hit songwriter The-Dream, who has written for many big time artists like Beyonce and Mariah Carey, actually had seen Britney Spears singing ‘Umbrella’ according to Teen Vogue too.
The-Dream previously told Revolt’s Drink Champs in an interview that he initially wrote “Umbrella” for Britney Spears. “I watched myself walk in and write that record. The record was written for Britney Spears,” The-Dream said. “But when Rihanna heard it, she boldly declared “Umbrella” as hers. She walked up to my manager and said ‘that’s my f*cking record,” he continued.
Whew Bad Girl RiRi doesn’t play when it comes to her music or her money! Luckily the song found its spot with Rihanna, where it best belongs.
