MARY J. BLIGE - BE HAPPY
Yeah I woke up on my Mary sh%t this morning. Just felt like hearing the music that made me fall in love with Ms. Blige (or is it Mrs. Isaacs??) Anyway her new album is coming out next month and as usual I will go and purchase it. Mary is on that short list of artists where I have actually bought all their studio albums. Eventhough I'm not all that into her new single "Just Fine" (for some reason it reminds me of music I would hear in a McDonalds commercial) I still look forward to hearing what the "Queen of Hip Hop Soul" has in store. The reason why I am still a fan is simple. Mary came into this game at a real "coming of age" era for me and struck a chord with alot of us. Not just because she allowed herself to be vulnerable in her music (especially that "My Life" album, which was her best in my opinion) but she was the face and spirit of a new type of R&B which was dubbed "Hip Hop Soul". This music really represented our generation. Before Mary, it was all blends you would hear the Dj's spin on the radio or on a mixtape...a nice R&B joint mixed with a Hip Hop instrumental. Jodeci hit hard with the "Come and Talk to me" Remix which put both genre's together on wax. But Mary's "What's the 411"" was the first time that an entire album represented this new style of music. And we loved it! and loved her...and all the drama that came with it. In my humble opinion, her first three albums were her best. After that things gotta little shaky for me. But because she exposed herself in her music so vividly..you felt as if you knew her personally, like she was family. And with all family members, you love and support them when they are following their dreams because you believe in them..no matter how bumpy the road gets. And for me those next couple of albums were very bumpy, although there were highlights here and there. I could never write Mary off. NEVER! We all know she has received her fair share of criticisms..but who hasn't? There is something to be said about an artist, who's first album came out 15 years ago, that can still generate excitment and interest in her music today, especially in this world of fickle fans and "here today..gone tomorrow".
That's My Mary..
1 comment:
I feel you bruh. Mary was our Diana Ross or Aretha Franklin. She wasn't cookie cutter at all. Although I'm glad her personal life seems to be straight, Mary's best albums were recorded when she was going through the pain of life. I always thought Faith could sing better, but Mary had the total package.
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