{{Infobox album | name = The MF Life | type = Studio | artist = Melanie Fiona | cover = TheMFLife.PNG | border = yes | alt = | released = {{start date|2012|3|20}} | recorded = 2010–12 | venue = | studio = | genre = R&B<ref name="Jones"/> | length = 52:25 | label = SRC, Title 9, Universal Republic | producer ={{hlist|No I.D.|Salaam Remi|Andrea Martin|Rico Love|Earl Hood|Eric Goudy II|Jack Splash|J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League|Los Da Mystro|Jay Fenix|Infinity|Antario "Tario" Holmes|Espionage|Sham & Motesart|T-Pain|Supa Dups|Soundz}} | prev_title = The Bridge | prev_year = 2009 | next_title = Say Yes | next_year = 2025 | misc = {{Singles | name = The MF Life | type = Studio | single1 = Gone and Never Coming Back | single1date = January 11, 2011 | single2 = 4 AM | single2date = September 6, 2011 | single3 = This Time | single3date = February 20, 2012 | single4 = Wrong Side of a Love Song | single4date = August 7, 2012 }} }} '''''The MF Life''''' is the second studio album by Canadian recording artist Melanie Fiona, released March 20, 2012, on Street Records Corporation, Title 9 Productions and Universal Republic Records. Production was handled by several record producers, including No I.D., Salaam Remi, Andrea Martin, Rico Love, Los Da Mystro and T-Pain, among others. Its music expands on the traditional R&B influences of Fiona's 2009 debut album, ''The Bridge'', and its songs deal with themes of aggrievement, longing, and romantic triumph.
The album debuted at number seven on the ''Billboard'' 200, selling 34,000 copies in its first week. It produced three singles, including the R&B hit "4 AM". Upon its release, ''The MF Life'' received generally positive reviews from music critics, who commended its production, songwriting and Fiona's vocals. Fiona promoted it with a national tour throughout March 2012. As of May 2012, the album has sold 69,500 copies in the United States.
== Background and recording == After the shutdown of Universal Motown Records, Fiona was transferred to Universal Republic Records.<ref name="Graff1">{{cite magazine|last=Graff|first=Gary|author-link=Gary Graff|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/melanie-fiona-used-mf-life-delay-to-bring-in-nas-drake-j-cole-501866/|title=Melanie Fiona Used 'MF Life' Delay To Bring In Nas, Drake, J. Cole|magazine=Billboard|date=March 14, 2012|access-date=March 27, 2012}}</ref> In an interview with Gary Graff, she said that the delay in the album's release allowed her to reach out to rappers J. Cole and Nas to contribute to the songs "This Time" and "Running", respectively.<ref name="Graff1"/>
Recording sessions for the album took place at Glenwood Place Studios in Burbank, 4220 Feng Shui Studios in Los Angeles, Circle House Studios, The Hit Factory Criteria, and Body Music in Miami, Chevy Shack and Losta Studios in Atlanta, Summit Sound in New York, and The Armoury Vault in Toronto, Canada.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=8696947|title=Melanie Fiona – MF Life CD Album|publisher=CD Universe. Muze|accessdate=March 27, 2012}}</ref>
In a press release, Fiona explained the album's title, "the ‘MF’ in the album title represents my initials, but it also gets at the many facets of myself as an artist and a young woman. It can be viewed as the ‘Mighty Fine Life’ in times of triumph and success, but also the ‘Mother-F-ing Life’ when I'm dealing with frustration or misfortune. I celebrate both. I feel it would be dishonest if everything was all about glitz and glamour. It's about the balance of life, the yin and the yang, the good and the bad, all of that."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://melaniefiona.com/bio.aspx|title=Melanie Fiona :: Bio|publisher=Universal Republic|accessdate=June 10, 2012}}</ref>
== Music and lyrics == According to Sarah Godfrey of ''The Washington Post'', ''The MF Life'' expands on the traditional R&B influences of Fiona's debut album,<ref name="Godfrey">{{cite news|last=Godfrey|first=Sarah|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/review-melanie-fiona-takes-on-new-genres-in-the-mf-life/2012/03/16/gIQAuMywNS_story.html|title=Review: Melanie Fiona takes on new genres in 'The MF Life'|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=March 19, 2012|accessdate=March 22, 2012}}</ref> with some songs Andy Kellman from AllMusic said delve into soft rock and classic soul influences.<ref name="Kellman">{{cite web|last=Kellman|first=Andy|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-mf-life-r2258920/review|title=The MF Life – Melanie Fiona|publisher=Allmusic. Rovi Corporation|at=Review|accessdate=March 22, 2012}}</ref> Songs such as "L.O.V.E." and "Watch Me Work" are styled in soul;<ref name="Capobianco"/><ref name="Hardy"/> the guitar-laden "Break Down These Walls" and "Wrong Side of a Love Song" have rock elements.<ref name="Capobianco"/><ref name="Caramanica"/> "4 AM" draws on the hazy synth of Drake's "Marvins Room" and the emotional aesthetic of Alicia Keys' "Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart".<ref name="Macpherson"/>
The album's lyrics deal with themes of longing, aggrievement,<ref name="Kellman"/><ref name="Caramanica"/> and romantic triumph.<ref name="Hardy"/> Music writers have noted Fiona's singing voice on the album as slightly husky and emotive.<ref name="Kellman"/><ref name="Hardy"/><ref name="Caramanica"/>
== Release and promotion == The album's lead single, "Gone and Never Coming Back", peaked at number 37 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.<ref>{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=melanie fiona|chart=all}}|title=Gone and Never Coming Back – Melanie Fiona|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=June 10, 2012}}</ref> The second single, "4 AM", was sent to urban radio stations on August 30, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allaccess.com/urban/artist-info/q/id/2869/melanie-fiona|work=AllAccess|title=Melanie Fiona|date=February 27, 2012|accessdate=June 10, 2012}}</ref> It peaked at number eight on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and number 81 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref>{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=melanie fiona|chart=Hot 100}}|title=Melanie Fiona Album & Song Chart History|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=June 10, 2012}}</ref>
Originally scheduled for a 2011 release, ''The MF Life'' was released on March 20, 2012, on SRC and Universal Republic.<ref name="Graff1"/><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rap-up.com/2012/02/09/melanie-fiona-reveals-release-date-cover-art-for-the-mf-life/#comments | title=Melanie Fiona Reveals Release Date, Cover Art For "The MF Life" | publisher=Rap-Up | work=Rap-Up.com | date=February 9, 2012 | accessdate=February 9, 2012}}</ref> Fiona promoted the album with a national tour throughout March 2012.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120320006006/en/MELANIE-FIONAs-MF-LIFE-Stores-Today|title=MELANIE FIONA's "THE MF LIFE" in Stores Today|publisher=Business Wire|location=New York|date=March 20, 2012|accessdate=June 10, 2012}}</ref> It included dates at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia and the Austin Urban Music Festival in Texas.<ref name="Graff1"/>
When ''The MF Life'' was released, it sold 34,000 copies in its first week and debuted at number seven on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref name="bb">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/498744/hunger-games-soundtrack-debuts-at-no-1-on-billboard-200|title='Hunger Games' Soundtrack Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200|magazine=Billboard|first=Keith|last=Caulfield|date=March 28, 2012|accessdate=March 28, 2012}}</ref> It sold 16,200 copies in its second week on the chart.<ref>{{cite web|last=Langhorne |first=Cyrus |url=http://www.sohh.com/2012/04/madonna_strips_down_at_no_1_drake_falls.html |title=Madonna Strips Down At No. 1, Drake Falls From Top 20, E-40, DJ Premier & Freddie Foxxx Invade The Chart |publisher=SOHH |date=April 4, 2012 |accessdate=April 6, 2012}}</ref> By May 2012, the album had sold 69,500 copies in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|last=Langhorne|first=Cyrus|date=April 18, 2012|url=http://www.sohh.com/2012/04/nicki_minaj_falls_from_no_1_monica_bring.html|title=Nicki Minaj Falls From No. 1, Monica Brings Life To Top 5, Trip Lee Invades The Chart|publisher=SOHH|accessdate=June 10, 2012}}</ref> In Switzerland, ''The MF Life'' charted for eight weeks and peaked at number 23.<ref name="hungmedien">{{cite web|url=http://hitparade.ch/showitem.asp?interpret=Melanie+Fiona&titel=The+MF+Life&cat=a|title=Melanie Fiona – The MF Life|publisher=Hung Medien|accessdate=June 10, 2012}}</ref> It also charted at number 32 on the United Kingdom's R&B Albums Chart.<ref name="UK">{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/r-and-b-albums-chart/20120325/115/|title=2012-03-31 Top 40 R&B Albums Archive|publisher=Official Charts Company|accessdate=June 10, 2012}}</ref>
== Critical reception == {{Music ratings | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="Kellman"/> | rev3 = ''Entertainment Weekly'' | rev3Score = A−<ref name="EW"/> | rev4 = ''Fact'' | rev4Score = 3/5<ref name="Macpherson"/> | rev5 = ''Los Angeles Times'' | rev5Score = {{Rating|2.5|4}}<ref name="Hardy"/> | rev7 = ''Now'' | rev7Score = 2/5<ref name="Ritchie"/> | rev8 = ''Rolling Stone'' | rev8Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="Johnston"/> | rev9 = ''USA Today'' | rev9Score = {{Rating|3|4}}<ref name="Jones">{{cite news|last=Jones|first=Steve|date=March 20, 2012|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/reviews/story/2012-03-19/music-reviews-listen-up-esperanza-spalding-and-more/53657896/1|title=Listen Up: Esperanza Spalding, Melanie Fiona, more|newspaper=USA Today|accessdate=July 7, 2012}}</ref> }} ''The MF Life'' received generally positive reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 75, based on nine reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/the-mf-life|title=The MF Life Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic|publisher=Metacritic. CBS Interactive|accessdate=March 22, 2012}}</ref> AllMusic editor Andy Kellman found Fiona "remarkably versatile when it comes to modes of expression" and stated, "The more beneficial mix of songwriting and production collaborators ... helps make ''The MF Life'' superior to the debut in every way."<ref name="Kellman"/> ''Entertainment Weekly'' felt the "slow-burning" songs remain her strength,<ref name="EW">{{cite magazine|title=The MF Life review – Melanie Fiona Review|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|issue=1199|page=74|date=March 23, 2012}}</ref> while Jon Caramanica from ''The New York Times'' praised the production overall and stated, "Though this album lacks some of the intensity of her debut ... it still showcases Ms. Fiona ably."<ref name="Caramanica">{{cite news|last=Caramanica|first=Jon|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/20/arts/music/albums-from-wiz-khalifa-melanie-fiona-and-lost-in-the-trees.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss|title=Albums From Wiz Khalifa, Melanie Fiona and Lost in the Trees|newspaper=The New York Times|page=C3|date=March 20, 2012|accessdate=March 22, 2012}}</ref> Ken Capobianco of ''The Boston Globe'' viewed the album as "a more fully realized and personal set of songs than her debut", writing that "she charts the vicissitudes of love with searing conviction and style ... she ratchets up the intensity, as she co-writes nearly all of the songs and often delivers them with stunning clarity and power."<ref name="Capobianco">{{cite news|last=Capobianco|first=Ken|url=http://articles.boston.com/2012-03-17/arts/31209795_1_melanie-fiona-love-song-john-legend|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328221608/http://articles.boston.com/2012-03-17/arts/31209795_1_melanie-fiona-love-song-john-legend|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 28, 2012|title=Melanie Fiona, 'The MF Life'|newspaper=The Boston Globe|date=March 17, 2012|accessdate=March 22, 2012}}</ref> ''Rolling Stone'' writer Maura Johnston called her "multidimensional" and stated, "Big-name guests ... accentuate Fiona's strengths instead of overshadowing them, a testament to her supreme confidence."<ref name="Johnston">{{cite magazine|last=Johnston|first=Maura|author-link=Maura Johnston|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/the-mf-life-20120413|title=The MF Life|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=April 13, 2012|accessdate=April 17, 2012}}</ref>
In a mixed review, Kevin Ritchie of ''Now'' felt that ''The MF Life'' is "closer to a traditional multi-producer record featuring a checklist of styles ... that showcase her technical precision as a singer but reluctance to colour outside the lines."<ref name="Ritchie">{{cite news|last=Ritchie|first=Kevin|date=April 26, 2012|url=http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/story.cfm?content=186381|title=Melanie Fiona – The MF Life|newspaper=Now|location=Toronto|volume=31|issue=35|accessdate=November 10, 2012}}</ref> ''Los Angeles Times'' writer Ernest Hardy viewed that Fiona's "lapses into hard, hyper-emotive singing" make the content's emotion seem ingenuine and stated, "The songs are a bit stronger this time around, but few offer much in the way of great lyrics or real insight".<ref name="Hardy">{{cite news|last=Hardy|first=Ernest|author-link=Ernest Hardy|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2012/03/album-review-melanie-fionas-the-mf-life.html|title=Album review: Melanie Fiona's 'The MF Life'|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=March 19, 2012|accessdate=March 22, 2012}}</ref> Alex Macpherson of ''Fact'' called the album "occasionally transcendent" and commented that it "aims more to be a well-rounded work than a visionary one, and in that respect it succeeds admirably."<ref name="Macpherson">{{cite magazine|last=Macpherson|first=Alex|date=April 25, 2012|url=http://www.factmag.com/2012/04/25/melanie-fiona-the-mf-life/|title=Melanie Fiona: The MF Life|magazine=Fact|publisher=The Vinyl Factory|accessdate=July 7, 2012}}</ref>
== Track listing == {{track listing | extra_column = Producer(s) | total_length = | title1 = This Time | note1 = featuring J. Cole | writer1 ={{hlist|Johnta Austin|Ernest Wilson|Steve Wyreman|Kevin Randolph|Jermaine Cole}} | extra1 = No I.D. | length1 = 3:48 | title2 = 4 AM(Melanie Fiona song) | writer2 ={{hlist|Richard Butler|Melanie Hallim|Earl Hood|Eric Goudy II}} | extra2 ={{hlist|Rico Love|Earl Hood|Eric Goudy II}} | length2 = 4:50 | title3 = Break Down These Walls | writer3 ={{hlist|Austin|Wilson|Wyreman|Randolph}} | extra3 = No I.D. | length3 = 4:09 | title4 = I Been That Girl | writer4 ={{hlist|Aubrey Drake Graham|Tyler Williams}} | extra4 = T-Minus | length4 = 2:53 | title5 = Wrong Side of a Love Song | writer5 ={{hlist|Hallim|Matthew Kahane|George Soule}} | extra5 = Jack Splash | length5 = 4:28 | title6 = Running | note6 = featuring Nas | writer6 ={{hlist|Hallim|Nasir Jones|Salaam Remi Gibbs}} | extra6 = Salaam Remi | length6 = 5:29 | title7 = Change the Record | note7 = featuring B.o.B | writer7 ={{hlist|Hallim|Andrea Martin|Carlos McKinney|Bobby Simmons}} | extra7 = Los Da Mystro | length7 = 4:05 | title8 = Gone and Never Coming Back | writer8 ={{hlist|Martin|Kevin Crowe|Erik Ortiz|K. Bartolomei}} | extra8 =J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League | length8 = 3:45 | title9 = Bones | writer9 ={{hlist|Paloma Faith|Andre Merritt|Kahane}} | extra9 = Jack Splash | length9 = 3:53 | title10 = Watch Me Work | writer10 ={{hlist|Hallim|Lindsay Fields|Nia Myricks|Jordan Suecof|Antario Holmes|Antoine Noegelen}} | extra10 = {{hlist|Infinity|DayThree_Tario}} | length10 = 3:25 | title11 = Can’t Say I Never Loved You | writer11 ={{hlist|Martin|Espen Lind|Amund Gjorklund}} | extra11 = Espionage | length11 = 3:47 | title12 = L.O.V.E. | note12 = duet with John Legend | writer12 ={{hlist|Hallim|John Stephens|Wilson|Wyreman|Randolph}} | extra12 = No I.D. | length12 = 3:55 | title13 = 6 AM | note13 = featuring T-Pain) (bonus track | writer13 ={{hlist|Hallim|Faheem Najm|Donald Cook|Jon A. Gordon|Michael A. Gordon}} | extra13 ={{hlist|The Gordon Brothers|T-Pain}} | length13 = 4:13 }} {{track listing | extra_column = Producer(s) | headline = Digital bonus track | title14 = Gone (La Dada Di) | writer14 ={{hlist|Shanell Woodgett|Kenneth Coby|Calvin Broadus}} | note14 = featuring Snoop Dogg | extra14 = Soundz | length14 = 3:36 }} {{track listing | headline = Deluxe edition bonus tracks | extra_column = Producer(s) | total_length = | title14 = Rock Paper Scissors | writer14 ={{hlist|Ginette Claudette|Eritza Laus|Cannon Mapp|Hasham Hussein|Denarius Motes}} | extra14 = Sham & Motesart | title15 = Can't Do This No More | writer15 ={{hlist|Hallim|Martin|Kahane}} | extra15 = Jack Splash | title16 = What Am I to Do | writer16 ={{hlist|Hallim|Martin|Kahane}} | extra16 = Jack Splash | title17 = Like I Love You | writer17 ={{hlist|Hallim|Stacy Barthe|Luke Boyd|Jason Gilbert|Dwayne Chin-Quee|Mitchum Chin}} | extra17 = Dwayne "Supa Dups" Chin-Quee }}
== Personnel == Credits for ''The MF Life'' adapted from liner notes.<ref>{{cite AV media notes|others=Melanie Fiona|title=The MF Life|publisher=Universal Republic Records|id=B0016719-02|type=CD liner}}</ref>
{{col-begin}} {{col-2}} * Johntá Austin – background vocals * Diego Avendaño – engineer * B.o.B – featured artist * Bobby Brass – assistant engineer, end chorus, engineer * Myisha Brooks – publicity * Sandy Brummels – art direction * Los DaMystro – conductor, producer * Gleyder "Gee" Disla – engineer * E – producer * Kirk Edwards – photography * Espionage – musician, producer * Jay Fenix – musician, producer * Melanie Fiona – art direction, primary artist * Elizabeth Gallardo – assistant engineer * Eric Goudy II – keyboards, programming * Skye Griffin – background vocals * George Gumbs – vocal engineer * Tiara Hargrave – publicity * Chuck Harmony – additional music, additional production * Vincent Henry – guitar, saxophone * Melantha Hodge – marketing * Antario Holmes – keyboards, producer * Earl Hood – keyboards, programming * Diallobe Johnson – marketing * Rob Kinelski – engineer, mixing * Jason "Chyld" Kpana – A&R * Cameron Krone – photography * John Legend – featured artist * Espen Lind – engineer * Rico Love – background vocals, composer, producer * Omar Loya – assistant engineer * Victor Mancusi – assistant engineer, end chorus, engineer, mixing * Fabian Marasciullo – mixing {{col-2}} * Rob Marks – mixing * Manny Marroquin – mixing * Andrea Martin – associate producer, background vocals, producer, vocal producer * Sean McCoy – mixing assistant * Pierre Medor – engineer * Vlado Meller – mastering * Ian Mercel – engineer * Michael Michel – A&R, producer * Carmen Murray – A&R, art direction, producer, stylist * Francis Murray – engineer * F. Najm – composer * Nas – featured artist * Scott Naughton – engineer * Tiffany Naval – art direction * No Id – producer, vocals * K. Randolph – composer * Kevin Randolph – keyboards * Salaam Remi – arranger, bass, drums, guitar, keyboards, producer * Tony Reyes – bass, guitar * Steve Rifkind – producer * Gillian Russell – A&R * Gennaro Schiano – mixing assistant * Lynn Scott – marketing * Noah Shebib – vocal producer * Jack Splash – engineer, mixing, musician, producer * Jordan Suecof – percussion, producer, programming * T-Pain – composer, featured artist, producer * T-Minus – producer * Javier Valverde – vocal engineer * Martha Violante – stylist * James Wisner – mixing * Steve Wyreman – bass, composer, guitar {{col-end}}
== Charts == {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}
=== Weekly charts === {|class="wikitable sortable" |- !Chart (2012) !Peak<br />position |- {{album chart|Switzerland|23|artist=Melanie Fiona|album=The MF Life|accessdate=August 1, 2020}} |- {{album chart|UKR&B|32|date=20120325|accessdate=August 1, 2020}} |- {{album chart|BillboardCanada|64|artist=Melanie Fiona|accessdate=August 1, 2020}} |- {{album chart|Billboard200|7|artist=Melanie Fiona|accessdate=August 1, 2020}} |- {{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|1|artist=Melanie Fiona|accessdate=August 1, 2020}} |} {{col-2}}
=== Year-end charts === {|class="wikitable" |- !Chart (2012) !Position |- |US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2012/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2012|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=August 1, 2020}}</ref> |align="center"|45 |} {{col-end}}
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{Official website|http://melaniefiona.com/}} * ''[http://www.metacritic.com/music/the-mf-life The MF Life]'' at Metacritic
{{Melanie Fiona}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mf Life}} Category:2012 albums Category:Albums produced by Jack Splash Category:Albums produced by No I.D. Category:Albums produced by Rico Love Category:Albums produced by Salaam Remi Category:Albums produced by Supa Dups Category:Albums produced by T-Minus (producer) Category:Albums produced by T-Pain Category:Universal Republic Records albums Category:Melanie Fiona albums