| Love No Limit | |
| Cover: | Mary J. Blige - Love No Limit (1993).jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Mary J. Blige |
| Album: | What's the 411? |
| Recorded: | 1992 |
| Length: | 5:02 |
| Producer: | Dave "Jam" Hall |
| Chronology: | Mary J. Blige |
| Prev Title: | Sweet Thing |
| Prev Year: | 1993 |
| Next Title: | You Don't Have to Worry |
| Next Year: | 1993 |
"Love No Limit" is a song by American recording artist Mary J. Blige. It was co-written by Kenny Greene and Dave "Jam" Hall for her debut album, What's the 411? (1992), while production was overseen by Hall. Released in May 1993 by Uptown and MCA as the album's fourth and final single, the song became a top-5 hit, reaching number five on the US Billboard R&B singles chart. It also peaked at numbers 44 and 43 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100. Hall has stated in interviews, that he wanted to give the song an urban, hip-hop feel to a much more jazzy sound, when it was created.
R&B singer Monica sang the song as a tribute at the Essence Awards 2003.[1] Blige later performed the song at the 3rd BET Honors in 2010, as part of a medley of her hits, when she paid tribute to honoree Diddy. The song was also briefly played in the 1993 American comedy film CB4, starring Chris Rock.
In a retrospective review, Daryl McIntosh from Albumism stated that the "emotional love ballad" "Love No Limit", "reinforced Blige's versatility and ability to deliver in the more traditional R&B format."[2] J.D. Considine from The Baltimore Sun remarked the "gentle, jazzy cadences" of the song.[3] Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "Once again, her sultry, delightfully seasoned voice melts into a jazzy hip-hop groove. Romantic, swaying gem could become an instant fave at several radio formats. Give in to it."[4] Mark Kinchen for Music Weeks RM Dance Update commented, "Imagine a smoke-filled jazz club with Blige singing in a deep seductive voice over a very smooth basic R&B track. You've got the picture."[5] Jonathan Bernstein from Spin complimented its "irresistible bounce".[6]
The song's accompanying music video for "Love No Limit" was directed by American director Millicent Shelton. It marked the acting debut of British actor Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, who later starred on the television series Lost. In the black-and-white video Blige is singing in a club.
In the official remix version, which is found on her What's the 411? Remix album, the song opens with a snippet of the original version, then the remix begins with Blige singing it in alternative way: the main beat takes a sample of Keni Burke's "Risin' to the Top" and the 1982 The Gap Band hit "Outstanding" while refraining Anita Baker's 1988 song "Good Love".
Credits adapted from the What's the 411? liner notes.[12]
| Chart (1993) | Peak position | |
|---|---|---|
| Europe (European Dance Radio)[13] | 5 | |
| UK Dance (Music Week)[14] | 19 | |
| US Cash Box Top 100[15] | 43 |