It's a sad fact that some artists create better music when they're not happy. When Mary J. Blige started her career in the early 90s, she was depressed, addicted to drugs, and in an abusive relationship. The pain that came out of those situations poured into her music and in turn earned her legions of fans.

Rounding the Millennium, Mary slowly but surely got her life in order. She kicked her drug habit, split from abusive partners, and became a happy woman with a new marriage. The problem is, her diehard fans HATE the new Mary's music. She's realized the dilemma this has created, but refuses to jeopardize her happiness for music.


"When I took the chance to show people I can be happy, I lost a million of my fans," she told Vibe magazine. "I was like, 'I'm gonna have to lose y'all in order for us to live, because if I keep going down this dark hole, we're all gonna die together. I'm gonna slit my wrists or take some pills, and it's gonna be over."


Here's Mary's latest upbeat single "Just Fine", which is a stark contrast to the somber music she made early in her career.


MTV News