Blige: 'Umbrella' was meant for me

Mary J Blige has claimed that Rihanna's hit single 'Umbrella' was meant for her.

The song stayed at the top of the UK charts for ten consecutive weeks earlier this year, making it the longest-running number one single of the decade.

But Blige said the track was initially offered to her, telling MTV: "They did the song for me. And it was during the Grammy time and I was really, really busy, and I heard it. I was like: 'Oh my goodness, that's a smash. I love this song.' And it was like: 'It's yours'. So in the midst of it being mine, they were probably telling Rihanna it was hers."

But she insisted that she feels no bitterness about missing out on the single, saying: "[Rihanna] is such a beautiful lady, and I love her to death. I was so glad that she caught it and knocked it out of the park, and it's still one of my favourite songs to date."

It was reported in August that 'Umbrella' was originally written for Britney Spears.

Blige's new single 'Just Fine' is released on December 3.