One of the most appealing tracks on Mary J. Blige's recently released album My Life II: The Journey Continues (Act 1) is the breathtaking duet with Beyoncé called "Love a Woman." The colossal collaboration pits two of this generation’s biggest R&B stars together for the first time ever.

Blige, who typically doesn't do many duets with other female artists, spoke to BET.com about how the collaboration came to be. Apparently, it was all Bey's doing.

"The song came from Beyoncé," Blige reveals. "She gave me the song. She recorded it for her album and it didn't fit her album. Her A&R people brought the song to me with her voice on it completely."

A little surprised at receiving the unexpected gift, MJB made sure to check into whether the generous offering really did come from Mrs. Carter.

"The song was so amazing I had to be sure, as an artist, that she really was trying to give it to me," Blige recalls. "I was like 'is she really trying to give me this song, because it's pretty amazing.' They were like 'yes, but she wants to stay on it with you.' And I was like, 'Wow! Beyoncé? Thanks!' And you know I love and respect her to death so I wouldn't pass that chance up.

Written by Sean Garrett, the track appears as one of 14 on the album, which also features Rick Ross, Drake and Nas.

Since the release of My Life II, last Tuesday (November 22), Blige has been touring throughout the country performing at intimate affairs to promote the LP.

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(Photos from left: BET/Anthony Harvey/PictureGroup)