We've all heard the stories. You know, the ones about the misguided child who lives in poverty, experiences numerous hardships and yet rises up and surpasses all barries. Well here is another one of those stories-the life of Mary J. Blige
Like fine wine, Mary J. Blige has developed into something more appreciated over the years. Born on January 11, 1971 Mary began her life in the housing projects of Yonkers, NY. Her rough life in Yonkers contributed to both physical and emotional scars. Mary dropped out of high school during her Junior year as she spent time styling hair and hanging out with friends.
Mary J. Blige was discovered for her musical talents after she recorded herself singing Anita Baker's "Caught Up in the Rapure" into a karaoke machine at a local mall. She began working with Sean "Puffy" Combs who took her under his wing and allowed her to release her first album in 1992 called "Whats the 411?"
This album was innovative and groundbreaking because it was something few artists were doing. Mary combined both R&B and hip hop elements into her songs.Following the success of her first album, Mary J. followed with another in 1995 entitled, "My Life".
This album was characterized by ideas revolving around a "ghetto" logic intermixed with Mary's own personal pains and struggles. Her unstable and rocky relationship with a member of Uptown Records, shone through clearly. Later in 1997, Mary released a hit cd "Share My World".
This cd debuted on the Billboard charts due to its more conventional sound. However, familiar to her previous album, Mary still sings of struggles with drama, fate and terrors of love.An expressive singer in 1999, Mary J. Blige came out with her self titled album "Mary". This album unlike the others before, it displayed Mary's maturity and the full power behind her vocal abilities. Mary's sound became more soulful, more polished and less gritty than her others albums.
Yet again in 2002, Mary released a new album, "No More Drama". This album is one that definitely shows the progression of Mary J. Blige. Her upbeat outlook on life is present in her songs "Beautiful Day" in which she expresses her optimism about life and love. At this point it becomes apparent that Mary is fed up with all of the obstacles and the baggage trying to consume her. She is definitely ready to make a change.
This album allowed Mary to become a song writer and reflect on her own personal emotions and joys. In 2003, Mary reunited with old producer Sean "Puffy" Combs to produce the album "Love and Life". Even from the titles of the albums themselves, it is apparent that Mary is progressing in life. These titles reflect happier emotions.
In 2005, Mary released "The Breakthough", which became her biggest success. Mary poured all of her vocal and songwriting abilities into this album. She shows us that she has experienced life's up and downs and yet she is comfortable having experienced both emotions. She acts as a mentor to troubled women in her song "Good Woman Down". In her song "Father in You" she expresses the ways in which her current husband teachers her things that her absent father did not.
Finally in 2006, Mary released her current album, "Reflections-A Retrospective" This album was also a huge success. Debuting at #1 on the Billboard charts and selling 727, 163 copies in its first week, this album was established as a way for Mary to gie back to her fans. It gave Mary the opportunity to reflect on her life and her career, noting her progression.
As you can see from the photo's and the gradual success of her albums. Mary J. Blige has definitely crafted her self into a noteworthy individual. Just recently at the 2007 Grammy awards, Mary J. Blige took home 3 Grammy Awards for Best R&B Album, Best R&B Female Vocal Performance for "Be Without You" and Best R&B song. This was definitely an accomplishment for Mary J. Blige who stated, "For so many years I have been talked about negatively but this time I'm being talekd about positvely by so many people...This i a great night for me.".
Indeed. Mary has faced criticism throughout her entire career. By initially being viewed as a street-tough, bad girl who was absorbed by drugs and bad relationships, Mary J. Blige has truly had a breakthrough. She is more positive than ever....more thankful then ever. By reinviting herself and her career, Blige made a great decision by shedding her "bad girl" image and habits.
Mary in 1992. 
Mary in 2007.Mary's story is truly one that young women and men can gain hope from. With hardwork, determination and positvity, one can succeed. Despite one's initial upbringing or environment, life still works in mysterious ways. We are not branded by the image that we are born one. There is a potential and possibility to change...to improve...to succeed. Congratulations Mary J. Blige.
Check out Mary's Grammy Award Winning Song, "Be Without You".
2 comments:
This is a great tribute to and even greater performer of our time. I have heard
many many songs by Mary J throughout my life but I have never bought one of her
albums. After reading this post it made me want to go out and start a
collection of her records. I like her music and I know it has changed
drastically from when she first appeared on the scene, but this musical
biography really gives insight as to why it changed, and how she herself grew
during the process. It was informative and your style of writing is very easy
going and in this case, uplifting. If you decide to do another bio/
music-ography, it would be cool to look at John Mayer. He began as a more
rock artist, but with his latest album Continuum, he has shown a more blues/
jazz side and his music is developing into nothing short of amazing.
your piece on Mary J. Blige was really insightful. I've never bothered to hear more of her music that what is played on the radio. I might look into her older stuff because most people seem to like her past albums, or at least those that I've spoken to.
I noticed that you like Corinne Baily Rae, she will be performing at the Greek Theatre with John Legend, April 7th.
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