It was written by Blige, her brother Bruce Miller, Camara Kambon, Michael Elizondo, and producer Dr. Dre for her fifth studio album, No More Drama (2001).

[5] Several weeks later, on January 10, 2001, a near-final but non-lyrical portion of "Fragile" was transferred from digital to analog format and renamed "Family Affair".

Everything about "Family Affair" is perfection: Dr Dre’s simple but devastatingly effective production; Blige’s economical, understated vocal; the fact that every melody line sounds like a hook.

She's not even breaking a sweat by screaming big, overblown notes; rather she opts for an authoratative, guttural growl that is countered by layers of sleek, deep-voiced harmonies.

"[9] Sal Cinquemani, writing for Slant Magazine, remarked that "the song is the latest in a recent slew of club-ready superstar anthems, celebrating the joy and unity of dance.

"[12] Entertainment Weekly's Craig Seymour wrote: "Lyrically, the song celebrates such party virtues as dressing up and hitting the dance floor.

But Blige’s bluesy vocal grit adds depth to the track, hinting at the everyday hardships that make partying so rejuvenating and worthwhile.

"[14] Vibe found that "Family Affair" combines a "funky mix of R&B and hip-hop as well as some interesting vocabulary with listeners being told about a “dancery” where “holleration” and “hateration” would not be tolerated.