Thriving (song)

2019 single by Mary J. Blige featuring Nas

"Thriving"

Single by Mary J. Blige featuring Nas
Released| May 10, 2019
Length| 3:42
Label| Republic
Songwriter(s)|

* Denisia Andrews
* Mary J. Blige
* Darhyl Camper Jr.
* Brittany Coney
* Nasir Jones

Producer(s)| DJ Camper
Mary J. Blige singles chronology
| "Only Love"
(2018)  | "Thriving"
(2019)  | "Know"
(2019)

|
|

"Thriving" is a song by American singer Mary J. Blige featuring guest vocals from rapper Nas. It was written by Blige, Darhyl "DJ" Camper Jr., Nas and Denisia “Blue June” Andrews and Brittany “Chi Coney” Coney from songwriting duo Nova Wav, while production was helmed by Camper. The song is built around a sample of the song "Under the Influence of Love" (1967) by American girl group Love Unlimited. "Thriving" was released by Republic Records as a digital single on May 10, 2019 to commence with Nas and Blige's The Royalty Tour and peaked at number 21 on the US Adult R&B Songs.

## Background

[edit]

"Thriving" was written by Blige and Nas along with Darhyl "DJ" Camper Jr., and Denisia “Blue June” Andrews and Brittany “Chi Coney” Coney from songwriting duo Nova Wav.[1] Blige performed a solo version of the song first on New York City radio station Power 105.1's The Breakfast Club and shared a snippet on Instagram in March 2019.[2] Along with the cover art, Blige also posted a quote from poet Maya Angelou on her Instagram in April 2019, writing "my mission in life is not merely to survive, but to THRIVE, and do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style."[2]

## Critical reception

[edit]

Rolling Stone editor Ryan Reed wrote that "with its melismatic vocal hooks, the track showcases Blige’s soulful voice throughout as she reflects on overcoming challenges [...] Nas appears halfway through with a brief verse, name-dropping Muhammad Ali and squashing negative energy."[3] Jon Pareles, writing for The New York Times, called the song "Blige's latest parcel of motivational advice. Her message [...] is delivered atop a tense, urgent, two-bar vamp and a sustained tone that run nearly nonstop through the track, hinting at psychedelic-era Temptations. Even in such tight confines, Blige stokes a gospel-charged conviction."[4]

## Chart performance

[edit]

Released on May 10, 2019 to commence with the kickoff of Nas and Blige's 2019 joint The Royalty Tour,[5] "Thriving" debuted at the US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart in the week ending May 25, 2019.[6] It eventually peaked at number 37 in the week of July 6, 2019.[6] The song also reached number 18 on Billboard's US Adult R&B Songs chart.[7]

## Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of "Thriving."[1]

* Denisia Andrews – writer
* Mary J. Blige – vocals, writer
* Darhyl Camper Jr. – producer, writer
* Brittany Coney – writer

* Lauren D'Elia – recording
* Nasir Jones – vocals, writer
* Tony Maserati – mixing

|

## Charts

[edit]

Chart performance for "Thriving"  Chart (2019)  | Peak
position

|

US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard)[6] | 37

## Release history

[edit]

Release history and formats for "Thriving"  Region  | Date  | Format(s)  | Label  | Ref

|
|
|
|

United States  | May 10, 2019  |

* Digital download
* streaming

| Republic |

[5]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Thriving (Media notes). Mary J. Blige. Republic. 2019.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
2. ^ a b Imarenezor, Christine (April 26, 2019). "Mary J. Blige And Nas Reunite On New Track, "Thriving"". Vibe. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
3. ^ Reed, Ryan (May 8, 2019). "Mary J. Blige, Nas Team for Resolute New Song 'Thriving'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
4. ^ Pareles, Jon (May 10, 2019). "The Playlist: Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber Join Forces, and 11 More New Songs". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 11, 2019. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
5. ^ a b "Mary J. Blige (feat. Nas) – Thriving". iTunes Store. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
6. ^ a b c "Mary J. Blige Chart History (R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 21 2024.
7. ^ "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Adult R&B Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2024.

* v
* t
* e

Mary J. Blige singles

* Discography
* Songs

1990s singles|

* "You Remind Me"
* "Real Love"
* "Reminisce"
* "Sweet Thing"
* "Love No Limit"
* "You Don't Have to Worry"
* "My Love"
* "Be Happy"
* "Mary Jane (All Night Long)"
* " I'm Goin' Down"
* "You Bring Me Joy"
* "I Love You"
* "Love Is All We Need"
* "I Can Love You"
* "Everything"
* "Missing You"
* "Seven Days"
* "As"
* "All That I Can Say"
* "Deep Inside"

2000s singles|

* "Your Child"
* "Give Me You"
* "Family Affair"
* "No More Drama"
* "Dance for Me"
* "Rainy Dayz"
* "Love @ 1st Sight"
* "Ooh!"
* "Not Today"
* "Whenever I Say Your Name"
* "MJB da MVP"
* "Be Without You"
* "One"
* "Enough Cryin"
* "Take Me As I Am"
* "We Ride (I See the Future)"
* "Just Fine"
* "Work That"
* "Stay Down"
* "The One"
* "I Am"

2010s singles|

* "Each Tear"
* "We Got Hood Love"
* "Ain't Nobody"
* "25/8"
* "Don't Mind"
* "Mr. Wrong"
* "Why"
* "Love a Woman"
* "Someone to Love Me (Naked)"
* "Do You Hear What I Hear?"
* "This Christmas"
* "Suitcase"
* "Doubt"
* "Right Now"
* "Therapy"
* "Whole Damn Year"
* "Thick of It"
* "U + Me (Love Lesson)"
* "Love Yourself"
* "Set Me Free"
* "Only Love"
* "Thriving"
* "Know"

2020s singles|

* "Good Morning Gorgeous"
* "Amazing"
* "Still Believe in Love"
* "Breathing"
* "You Ain't the Only One"

Soundtracks|

* "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman"
* "Not Gon' Cry"
* "Stronger"
* "The Living Proof"

Guest appearances|

* "911"
* "Ain't No Way"
* "America's Song"
* "Bridge over Troubled Water"
* "Can't Knock the Hustle"
* "Disrespectful"
* "F for You" (Remix)
* "Hands"
* "I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By"
* "I'm a Hustla" (Remix)
* "IfULeave"
* "It's a Wrap" (Remix)
* "Come Close"
* "Just Stand Up!"
* "Lean on Me"
* "Magic Touch" (NYC Remix)
* "Remember Me"
* "Runaway Love"
* "Stay with Me" (Remix)
* "Touch It" (Remix)
* "Wake Up Call" (Mark Ronson Remix)
* "What Child Is This"
* "Where's the Love?"

* Category

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template