Mary J Blige Teams Up With Rhianna Producer

Mary J Blige has teamed up with the producer responsible for Rhianna’s smash hit, ‘Umbrella,’ on her new album.

The US R&B singer’s eight studio album, ‘Growing Pains,’ is due out on November 26th.

Rhianna’s collaborator, Jazze Pha has produced two tracks on the album, including the LP's first single, ‘Just Fine,’ which is released on December 3rd.

Speaking about her work with Pha, Blige revealed that ‘Umbrella’ had originally been written for her.

"They did the song for me and it was during the Grammy time and I was really, really busy, and I heard it, and I was like, 'Oh my goodness, that's a smash. I love this song.' And it was like 'It's yours,'” Blige told MTV.

“So in the midst of it being mine, they were probably telling (Rihanna) it was hers."

Blige added: "I was so glad that she caught it and knocked it out of the park, and it's still one of my favourite songs to date."

'Growing Pains' and the album's lead single will get a UK release in January. The dates are yet to be confirmed.