Mary J. Blige has always been open about her personal pain and struggle. She made a strong statement in the music industry with her iconic “My Life” album that detailed the struggles she was facing. Now 17 years later, Blige has decided to continue the story with the sequel, “My Life II: The Journey Continues (Act I).”

The album starts off with a phone conversation between Blige and Sean ‘P.Diddy’ Combs, one of the main producers on the original. She explains that the album is “not a competitor, it’s a sequel and an extension of how far we have come.” But for many Blige fans such as myself, “My Life II” is just another album in her catalog. The original came out in 1994 when I was 1 year old, so the influence it had on the hip-hop culture and landscape isn’t something I can detail.

What I can say, as a modern-day Blige fan, is that she has crafted yet another strong R&B hip-hop album.

Empowering women through her music

I first became obsessed with her when she released “Growing Pains” back in 2007, and I have been following ever since. Though her albums always sell well, she hasn’t had a crossover hit since 2005’s “Be Without You” from her “Breakthrough” album, because she thrives within the R&B and hip-hop world. This new album won’t do anything to break that.

If R&B isn’t your thing, “My Life II” won’t change your mind. From beginning to end, the album plays by the rules, never breaking out of the box in which Blige resides. Songs such as “25/8” are great, but they won’t appeal to the masses.

Blige sings from the heart, not to the charts, an aspect that makes her a relatable artist for her large fanbase. She shares her pain and struggles with everyone as if they are her own family.

The album is a little uneven and, on the whole, the songs aren’t stellar. It starts off thumping with guests like Nas and Brook Lynn, but then ends with a block of sappy, enjoyable ballads, including “The Living Proof,” which served as the anthem for this summer’s “The Help.” Though they aren’t groundbreaking songs, their quality is raised largely in part because of Blige’s incredible voice. I strongly believe that a great voice can make a not-so-great song so much better. If you want to see this in action, just take a look through Beyonce’s catalog.

Speaking of Beyonce, she stops by to assist on “Love a Woman,” one of the highlights from the album. Blige is very big on supporting women, their empowerment and how men should treat them. Whether it is because of past pain, or because it is just where she feels called, it is a message she wears well.

She also does much on the album, especially the end, to show the journey she set out to detail. The album ends with “The Living Proof,” where Blige belts, “I know where I’m going / ‘Cause I know where I’ve been … / I’m gonna stay strong keep going / That’s the way that I’ll win.”

Good but not groundbreaking

“My Life II” fits well into Blige’s catalog. It isn’t her best album, but it has more of an old-school feel to it than much of her newer work. With 2009’s “Stronger with Each Tear,” Blige worked with some auto-tune and a more modern feel, but here she goes back to her roots with tracks like “Feel Inside” and the Drake assisted “Mr. Wrong.”

Unfortunately, in a year filled with strong releases by the likes of Adele and Florence + the Machine, I just don’t see this album being remembered. Much like with “Stronger with Each Tear,” Blige will likely receive a pat on the back for a strong album and then be pushed to the background.

The album won’t do anything to woo new fans or to break out of its assigned genre. Don’t get me wrong, it is a strong release, it just could have been stronger. I remember listening to “Growing Pains” for the first time, and being so immersed in an appreciation for the incredible Blige. I just don’t get that same feeling with this new album. Granted, it took me a few listens to really appreciate “Stronger,” so this album could still grow on me.

The good news is, there will be an “Act II,” expected in May 2012, so Blige will have the chance to make an album that will prove to outsiders why she truly is the queen of hip-hop soul.