Mary J. Blige on why 'Family Affair' is the perfect song for the Super Bowl halftime show

By Ken Simmons

As Mary J. Blige prepares to perform during the 2022 Super Bowl halftime show on Feb. 13, she faces the dilemma of selecting only one song to sing from her 30-year catalog.

The nine-time Grammy winner told Elle she's leaning toward "Family Affair" from her triple-platinum 2001 album "No More Drama." Blige, 51, said she believes "Family Affair" is appropriate because hip-hop has influenced family life around the world.

"We are the culture," she said. "We give people a way to walk. We give people a way to talk. We give people a way to think."

Blige won't be alone during the Super Bowl 56 halftime show, though; she'll be joined by Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, who produced "Family Affair" and with whom Blige co-wrote the hit.

The "Be Without You" singer said this lineup represents hip-hop's global appeal.

"Hip-hop is East Coast. Hip-hop is West Coast. Hip-hop is Europe -- this is why it's going to be so major, because this is what the Super Bowl is showing to people," she said. "[Hip-hop] is everywhere."

Meanwhile, the "Mudbound" actress said the title of her upcoming album, "Good Morning Gorgeous," out Feb. 11, was inspired by her daily mantra during her painful 15-year marriage to Martin "Kendu" Isaacs, whom she divorced in 2018.

"I was feeling so low. I had to pay myself the highest compliments, even if I didn't believe it, just so I could build myself up," she said.

Blige said she still recites the same words every day: "Good morning, Gorgeous. I love you. I got you. I need you."