Mary J. Blige’s ‘You Ain’t the Only One’ Debuts on Billboard
Mary J. Blige’s Gratitude era continues to produce new entries on Billboard.
Her latest radio single, “You Ain’t The Only One,” opens at No. 22 on this week’s Adult R&B Airplay chart, led by Chris Brown’s “Sensational” with Davido and Lojay.
It’s the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer‘s 63rd appearance on this airplay chart, which first launched in September 1993.
Blige’s previous single, “Breathing,” featuring Fabolous, remains her third-highest debut for a new track on this chart, with a No. 17 entry. It’s also her best premiere for this new album era at the time of publication.
Speaking of “Breathing,” the loved-up track became Blige’s ninth No. 1 on the Adult R&B list for the week ending Oct. 26. It is her second song featuring a rapper to top this chart, following her eight-week toast with Vado on “Still Believe in Love.”
“You Ain’t The Only One” was released on Oct. 18 as the second single from Blige’s upcoming 15th studio album, Gratitude. The album is set to arrive on Nov. 15 via Blige’s Mary Jane Productions, Inc., in partnership with 300 Entertainment.
The week following her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Blige premiered the hopeful video for “You Ain’t The Only One.” She co-directed the video with frequent collaborator Eif Rivera.
Gratitude will include 13 tracks and feature collaborations with Fat Joe, Jadakiss, and FERG (formerly known as A$AP Ferg).
Blige said about Gratitude, “The overall theme is enjoying life and understanding that, again, life is what inspires me, whether I take the good with the bad. I look at every lesson as a blessing and I understand that I’m not the only one on the earth going through things. I celebrate my triumph, and I work through my hard times.”
“So, the album is going to be fun in that perspective. There’ll be things that are real and serious, but you’ll be able to dance to it or sing to it. There’s a bunch of different things — ballads, world music. There’s some good sh*t on here.”
Blige’s previous album, Good Morning Gorgeous, was released in February 2022. The album and its hit singles received significant praise, earning six nominations at the 2023 Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year.
In other music news, Blige recently shared a new holiday song, “Christmas Without You.” The misty ballad was co-written and co-produced by longtime collaborator Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins.
In January 2025, Blige is slated to embark on her headlining For My Fans Tour. R&B gents Ne-Yo and Mario will support the national tour as special guests.
Listen to “You Ain’t The Only One” by Mary J. Blige below.