There's a notoriously thin line between some hip-hop and R&B but Mary J Blige has managed to stay firmly on the hip-hop side. Not Today continues this trail, helped in no small part by Dr Dre's production.
The dark looped beat hints that it wants a slightly higher level of bass, and mixes slightly awkwardly with Mary's vocals. Before this becomes a diversion everyone's favourite female Ruff Ryder Eve enters with a typically vicious rap cameo. The hook demonstrates the power of Mary J Blige's voice and carries on the anti-male rhetoric of the verse.
It's difficult to see who Not Today will appeal to most. It lacks the infectiousness of Family Affair, and Eve isn't the best of guests given the plethora of other artists Mary has worked with - the majority of whom have major pulling power when it comes to sales. Good as it is, this isn't the best song you'll hear from Ms. Blige.
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