Her collaboration with Nicki Minaj is more than likely musical fan fiction, but Mary J. Blige’s newest single is the real deal. The soul diva provides a truly powerful tale of triumphing over adversary in “The Living Proof”, the lead single from the soundtrack of upcoming film The Help. Listen to Mary’s commanding performance on her new tune below.

The ballad begins with a long piano interlude before Mary’s soft vocals come in: “It’s gonna be a long, long journey / It’s gonna be an uphill climb / It’s gonna be a tough fight, there’s gonna be some lonely nights / But I’m ready to carry on.”

This song of survival, produced by Harvey Mason Jr., packs an emotional punch. We can already envision Mary performing this song at next year’s Oscars, can’t you?

The Help soundtrack drops July 26.

[Via Rap-Up]