Based on real life experiences, it was written and produced by Cory Rooney and Mark Morales, and samples Audio Two's 1987 song "Top Billin'".

It also topped the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Rhythmic charts and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on November 4, 1992.

"[4] In a retrospective review, Daryl McIntosh of Albumism noted that "the sped-up baseline" of Audio Two's "Top Billin'", in the background, "provided the perfect head-nodding cadence for Blige's soulful exploration of her Mr.

"[5] Stanton Swihart, from AllMusic, stated that "Real Love", and songs like it, "are and will remain timeless slices of soul even after their trendiness has worn off".

[9] Chris Roberts from Melody Maker felt that Blige "oozes out that yumsome breed of smoky pop-funk" on the track.

[15] Mary J Blige's song still holds its impacts today as she's set to produce a Lifetime movie on "Real Love.

In 2004, American pop rock singer-songwriter Toby Lightman covered "Real Love" and included it as the closing track on the re-release of her debut studio album, Little Things (2004).