I Am (Mary J. Blige song)

"I Am"
Single by Mary J. Blige
from the album Stronger with Each Tear
Released	December 8, 2009
Format	Digital download
Recorded	September 2009
Genre	R&B hip hop soul
Length	3:28
Label	Matriarch / Geffen
Writer(s)	Mary J. Blige, Johntá Austin, Ester Dean, Tor Erik Hermansen, Mikkel Eriksen
Producer(s)	Stargate
Mary J. Blige singles chronology
"What Child Is This" (2009) "I Am" (2009) "Each Tear" (2010)

"I Am" is a song taken from American R&B singer-songwriter Mary J. Blige's ninth studio album, Stronger with Each Tear. The song was written by Blige, Johntá Austin, Ester Dean, Tor Erik Hermansen, Mikkel Eriksen with musical production from Stargate and was released as the second single from the album.

The song "I Am" confidently tells one's lover nobody can treat them better than the person they are with at the present time.^[1] A rough/early demo version of the song was circulated on the Internet featuring Austin's vocals on the hook.

Release and promotion

"I Am" was sent to urban radio in the week beginning November 10, 2009^[2] and was released as a digital download on December 8, 2009. It debuted on the US Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart on November 19, 2009 at number 46 based on airplay alone. It debuted on the Japan Hot 100 chart at number 92, also debuting on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 67. Blige performed "I Am" live for the first time at the 2009 American Music Awards on November 22, 2009. Blige also performed "I Am" on Lopez Tonight,^[3] So You Think You Can Dance,^[4] The Jay Leno Show,^[5] Jimmy Kimmel Live!,^[6] A&E Television's Private Sessions,^[7] The Today Show,^[8] The View,^[9] The Ellen DeGeneres Show,^[10] and on the Late Show with David Letterman.^[11]

In the UK, the song was released as the first single from Stronger with Each Tear on March 1, 2010. Mary J Blige performed "I Am" on Alan Carr: Chatty Man on March 11, 2010.

Music video

The director for the video is Anthony Mandler. The video premiered via vevo.com on December 8, 2009.^[12]

Chart performance

On the week ending December 26, 2009, "I Am" debuted at No. 67 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and since then has peaked at #55. On March 7, 2010, it entered (and peaked) on the UK Singles Chart at #34.

Chart (2009–2010)	Peak position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[13]	96
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[14]	95
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[15]	11
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[16]	34
US Billboard Hot 100[17]	55
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[18]	3
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[19]	4

Radio date and release history

Region	Date	Format	Label
United States	November 24, 2009[20][21]	Airplay	Matriarch, Geffen Records
	December 8, 2009[22]	Digital download
United Kingdom	February 25, 2010[23]	Digital download	Polydor Records
	March 1, 2010[24]	CD single

References

1. "New Music: Mary J. Blige – 'I Am'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 2009-11-24.
2. "Radio1 – R&B & Hip-Hop New Songs". Radio1.gr. Retrieved 2009-11-24.
3. "Video: Mary J. Blige Visits 'Lopez Tonight'". Rap-Up.com. November 23, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
4. "Video: Jennifer Lopez, Mary J. Blige, & Leona Lewis on 'SYTYCD'". Rap-Up.com. December 16, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
5. 12/17/2009 by TeamIGA (December 17, 2009). "Mary J. Blige : News : Mary J. Blige on The Jay Leno Show Thursday 12/17". Interscope.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
6. 12/18/2009 by TeamIGA (December 18, 2009). "Mary J. Blige : News : Mary J. Blige on Jimmy Kimmel Live Friday 12/18". Interscope.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
7. lucasfdesousa (2009-12-16). "Mary J. Blige : News : Mary J. Blige to appear on A&E Private Sessions 12/20". Interscope.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
8. shawanndemaure (2009-12-23). "Mary J. Blige : News : Mary J. Blige on The Today Show Tuesday 12/22". Interscope.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
9. AndreaRivera (2 January 2010). "Mary J. Blige : News : Watch Mary J. Blige on TV Wednesday, December 23rd!". Interscope.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
10. "Mary J. Blige Has Her Cake & Eats It Too". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
11. "Video: Mary J. Blige in Concert on 'Letterman'". Rap-Up.com. February 16, 2010. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
12. "Video: Mary J. Blige – 'I Am'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
13. "Mary J. Blige – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for Mary J. Blige. Retrieved 2010-03-20..
14. "Mary J. Blige – Chart history" European Hot 100 for Mary J. Blige. Retrieved 2010-03-20..
15. "Mary J. Blige – Chart history" Japan Hot 100 for Mary J. Blige. Retrieved 2010-03-20..
16. "Mary J. Blige: Artist Chart History" Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2010-03-20..
17. "Mary J. Blige – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Mary J. Blige. Retrieved 2010-03-20..
18. "Mary J. Blige – Chart history" Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs for Mary J. Blige. Retrieved 2010-03-20..
19. "Mary J. Blige – Chart history" Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for Mary J. Blige. Retrieved 2010-03-20..
20. "®R&R :: Going For Adds™ :: CHR/Top 40". Gfa.radioandrecords.com. November 24, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
21. "Radio1 – Forthcoming USA Singles". Radio1.gr. Archived from the original on June 15, 2011. Retrieved 2009-11-24.
22. "I Am: Mary J. Blige: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. 1970-01-01. Retrieved 2009-11-24.
23. "iTunes – Music – I Am (Moto Blanco Dub Remix) – Single by Mary J. Blige". Itunes.apple.com. February 25, 2010. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
24. "I Am: Mary J. Blige: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved October 20, 2011.

External links

• Mary J Blige – I Am Music Video
• Mary J Blige – I Am Ringtone