Starting with 1999′s double-platinum ‘Mary’ collection, Mary J. Blige has released a new album every two years, and she’ll keep that streak alive this fall with the upcoming ‘My Life II: The Journey Continues…Act I.’

For her 10th full-length studio effort, Blige has created a sequel to her Grammy-nominated 1994 sophomore release, ‘My Life,’ which sold three million copies, spawned four hit singles, and is widely regarded as a modern R&B classic.

Those are some big shoes to fill, but Blige seems undaunted. As the sequel’s title indicates, it’s really just the beginning of what she has to offer. “We’re going to do ‘Act II,’ because it’s just too much good music,” she explained, suggesting that perhaps in 2013, we can expect to hear the next installment in the ‘My Life’ saga.

According to Blige, fans can expect to hear an evolution in her famously personal sound this time around. “The first ‘My Life,’ I didn’t understand why I was in so much pain. This one adds another level of understanding.”

For the new album, Blige enlisted a production team that included Swizz Beatz, Jermaine Dupri, Jim Jonsin, the Underdogs and Jerry Wonda. She also decided to resurrect her rapping alter ego, Brook Lynn, missing in action since 2007′s ‘Growing Pains.’

‘My Life II: The Journey Continues (Act I)’ is scheduled for a November 21 release.

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