Mary J. Blige shared with Stylist magazine that she "felt a connection" with Amy Winehouse, who had passed away from alcohol poisoning in July 2011 at the young age of 27.

The "No More Drama" singer admitted that Winehouse's life and music felt all too real for her, even though they never met. She also shared that she had deep admiration for the deceased artist who she referred to as a "rare" talent.

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Blige stated that when Winehouse was alive and going through personal turmoil, she rooted for her. The singer was not only a fan of her music, but she was also in awe of the person Winehouse was, saying "She spoke the truth from a place of, 'I need help but I'm also trying to enjoy my life.'"

She said the particular song that she felt was one of the most honest she has ever heard was "Rehab". With simple yet poignant lyrics such as "You tried to make me go to rehab", Blige felt that Winehouse sang songs "unlike anything anyone else had sung about". Blige shared that she truly respected her lyrical honesty.

The Grammy-winning singer had also battled her own personal demons in the past. She had struggled with alcohol, drugs and depression, but has since turned her life around for the better.

She admitted that every time things got bad in her life, she had to constantly make a choice about whether letting her depression win.

"I didn't want to die, but I didn't want to live," she admitted.

Blige confessed that whenever she thought about hurting herself or killing herself, she always thought about her family, especially her mother, and how her death would cause them suffering. "I have a conscience and I had to make a choice - and I chose life," she added.