What makes This Is Me by Jully Black notable?

The album received critical acclaim upon release, earning Jully Black the title of 'Canada's Queen of R&B'. It peaked at number 45 on the Canadian Albums Chart and included the hit single Hurt U Bad, which solidified her presence in the industry and influenced a wave of contemporary R&B in Canada. This Is Me was Jully Black's debut studio album, released in 2005 after her initial success as a featured artist. At this point in her career, she transitioned from background vocalist to a solo artist ready to assert her identity in the Canadian music scene.

How many songs are on This Is Me?

This Is Me has 16 tracks, running approximately 55 minutes.

This Is Me

Jully Black · 2005

55 min · 16 tracks · contemporary R&B

A blend of contemporary R&B grooves and soulful melodies that showcase heartfelt storytelling and Jully Black's powerful vocals.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Hurt U Bad — This track became Jully Black's breakout single, showcasing her vocal range and emotional depth while addressing themes of love and betrayal. Its catchy chorus and relatable lyrics resonated widely, making it a staple on R&B radio.
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Living in the Ghetto — This song highlights social issues with a poignant narrative about life in challenging circumstances, blending personal experience with broader commentary. Its powerful message and compelling delivery reflect Jully's ability to connect with listeners beyond mere entertainment.
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Material Things — In Material Things, Jully explores the contrast between material wealth and genuine connection, using vivid imagery to emphasize her values. The track balances upbeat production with introspective lyrics, illustrating her versatility.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

46 /100

Foothills

Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

Jully Black's debut showcases strong vocals and R&B grooves but lacks some depth and cohesion across its length.

What we noticed

The album opens with a brief intro that sets a personal tone, followed by the hit single 'Hurt U Bad', which establishes a mid-tempo groove.
Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies and call-and-response elements, particularly in 'Free to Love You' and 'Lovin' You'.
The last three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, creating a reflective mood that contrasts with the earlier upbeat songs.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 This Is Me (Intro) 1:53
2 Hurt U Bad 4:02
3 The Things You Do 4:14
4 Sweat of Your Brow 3:20
5 Calling You 3:20
6 Stay the Night 2:50
7 Free to Love You 3:18
8 Material Things 4:26
9 Double Life 3:53
10 5x Love 4:02
11 Just Life 3:17
12 Lovin' You 3:39
13 Living in the Ghetto 4:08
14 Gotta Let You Know (Scream) 3:02
15 I Travelled 5:14
16 This Is Me (Outro) 1:02

What to play next

Listen next

Revival

2007

Go back to

Sweat of Your Brow

2005

Full Jully Black discography Artists like Jully Black

contemporary R&B

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata