What's The Real Meaning Of Family Affair By Mary J. Blige? Here's What We Think

Posted by Lorie Orum on Wednesday, May 22, 2024

The song starts out with an uptempo beat as Mary J. Blige begins the chorus advising her friends to get on the dance floor with no judgement. "So you gots to dance for me / Don't need no hateration / Holleration in this dancery," she sings. The "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul" has always been open about her upbringing and past traumas, especially in her documentary, "My Life," per Billboard. Even though she struggled with her mental health during that period of time, Blige decided to take a more happy approach on "Family Affair" and the song took off. Tired of all the drama in her life, Blige sings in the first verse about finally having a night of fun. "Let loose and set your body free / Leave your situations at the door / So when you step inside/jump on the floor."

The "Be Without You" artist often sang about heartbreak and the struggles she faced in life. Therefore, what's great about "Family Affair" is that the song truly embodies positive energy — something she needed, as well. "Cop you a drink / go 'head and rock your ice' / Cause we celebrating no more drama in our life," she sings in the second verse.

During an interview with BackstageOL in June 2021, the songwriter revealed the impact that song had on her career. "I don't think I realized I was successful in music until ['Family Affair']. I was on tour and the bus driver was a white boy who was listening to his country music radio station." 

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