Released December 8, 2009 Recorded September 2009 Length 3:28 | Format Digital download Genre R&B
hip hop soul Label Matriarch / Geffen | |
"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.
Contents
The song "I Am" confidently tells one's lover nobody can treat them better than the person they are with at the present time. 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 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, So You Think You Can Dance, The Jay Leno Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, A&E Television's Private Sessions, The Today Show, The View, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and on the Late Show with David Letterman.
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.
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.