EXCLUSIVE: Hear Smokey Robinson, Jr. and Mary J. Blige's New Duet

Robinson and Blige team up on "Being with You," a new version of the classic, for his forthcoming album.

Yolanda Sangweni Jul, 28, 2014

Smokey Robinson, Jr. has brought together some of his favorite friends to collaborate with him on the new album, Smokey & Friends (out August 19).

Here, the legendary singer teams up with ESSENCE Festival alumni Mary J. Blige for a contemporary take on the single, “Being With You,” premiering exclusively on ESSENCE.com. The song originally peaked at number 2 on Billboard charts when it was released in 1981.

On Smokey & Friends, Robinson revisits classics from his Motown catalogue, including “My Girl,” “Tears of a Clown,” and “Ooh, Baby, Baby.” It will also feature Robinson’s duets with the likes of Cee-lo, Miguel, Aloe Blacc, and Jessie J. “We’re trying to captivate some new audience members,” says Robinson. “I would just like the younger listeners to take away that somebody who is their era or in the genre of music that they like is singing with me and they’re going to be curious as to why this particular person wanted to sing with me if they don’t know who I am.”

Listen to Robinson’s duet with Blige and let us know what you think.

Yo can pre-order Smokey & Friends now.