That same type of energy — absent random people fainting — could be felt moments before Mary J. Blige hit the stage at this year’s Essence Music Festival. Now, I’ll have to be honest with you; I’ve never been a huge MJB fan. That shouldn’t be viewed as an indictment of the impressive résumé she has compiled during her 18 years in the music industry, though. In fact, my feelings about Blige were exactly what was required to objectively ascertain the true value of her artistry.
As I observed her performance from my perch in the Belvedere All Access Lounge, an interesting study in human behavior began to unfold. From the front rows to the nose bleed seats, a common thread could be found among the women in attendance. They all appeared to have this indescribable connection with Blige. 
What was it about her that elicited such a passionate response?
Why were they such loyal fans?
I was determined to find some immediate answers to those questions, so I hopped out of my seat, and made my way to the main floor to find out. What happened next was completely unexpected.
The Beginning
Let’s first go back to the beginning … back when Mary Jane Blige was just a resilient New Yorker armed with dreams of stardom. This version of Blige — the one before the nine Grammy Awards and 40 million albums sold worldwide — was the one that resonated deeply with Melody Gilbert, an insurance agent who drove from St. Louis to attend the festival. Due to a need to tighten her purse strings, Gilbert could only afford tickets for one night of concerts. Her selection for the show to attend was a no-brainer.
“I had to be here on the night that my girl Mary J. performed,” she revealed. “You have no idea how much I love her. When she first came out with her What’s the 411 album, I felt like my sister had made it. She wasn’t made up and prissy like all of the other Barbie dolls that they try to shove down our throats. She was our homegirl, and she represented the hopes and dreams of every woman who doesn’t look like Beyoncé.”
Gilbert’s words were echoed several times over as I interviewed women at the concert about Blige’s impact on their lives. Blige was their hero, a woman who defied the odds and became great — despite what society may have initially thought of her.
Overcoming the Storm
But with every hero story, there is a thread of tragedy that can be found. As Blige ascended to greatness, her personal life appeared to simultaneously plunge into the depths of despair. Her music would often resemble a cry for help, and her pain was palpable. It didn’t go unnoticed with her fans.
“I used to cry for Mary,” one fan shared. “I felt like the people around her should have been helping her more. I was scared that she was going to end up dead or strung out on drugs. I was just glad that she fought through that and found happiness again.”
As Blige’s life turned the corner from drug dependency and depression, there were some fans who didn’t appreciate the improvements in her life. Janese Bartlett, a school teacher in town for a national convention, was one such person. “I miss the depressed Mary,” she said with a laugh. “I’m sure that sounds bad, but Mary used to have so much pain in her voice. I could relate to it. But after she got married, she started singing happier songs; I just didn’t get the same feeling from her music. It’s probably selfish of me to want someone to be hurting so I can enjoy their music more, but that’s how I honestly felt.”
For others though, the new version of Blige was a welcomed sight. If Blige could overcome her wide range of problems and eventually find happiness, then why couldn’t that same possibility be available to them?
Loron Bryan of Los Angeles affirmed this position. “It’s not easy being a single mother,” Bryan confessed. “Some days you just feel like you don’t have enough strength to press through and make all of the right moves for this little life that is depending on you. But then, as silly as it may sound, I might listen to a Mary J. Blige and feel like she gets what I’m going through. Her pain felt a lot like my pain. And for me to know that she made it through her ordeals and is happy … it encourages me to do the same so I can experience my own breakthrough.”
Bryan’s story isn’t singular. Visit any Mary J. Blige fan forum, and the stories found there are eerily reminiscent of Bryan’s journey. Women from all walks of life shared stories of trials being overcome thanks to the inspiration provided through the power of Blige’s music.
Brand Mary
Perhaps lost in all of the excitement surrounding Blige’s current reign as the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, is her savvy as a businesswomen. From her business deals with Chevrolet, designer Catherine Malandrino and the beauty line Carol’s Daughter, to her empowerment partnership Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now Inc. with record executive Steve Stout, Blige wields an incredible amount of power both in the recording booth and in the boardroom.
Her casual fans may be unaware of her strong business presence — but real estate agent Aisha Goldsby is no casual fan. She has learned to take cues from Blige’s music, as well as her expansive business portfolio. “The thing that I appreciate the most about Mary is her mind,” Goldsby shared directly following the concert. “She understands that her impact on society can be increased with the right business moves. So for me, I’m probably more impressed with her business deals than her music … and that’s saying a lot.”
Happily Ever After
Karissa Bowman is standing in the third row, holding her husband’s hand, beaming as Blige struts her stuff on the stage. Moments after the show, she would share the source of that smile. “In many ways, I am her,” Bowman shared. “I was that same woman who just couldn’t get it right. But I never gave up … and neither did she. And now I have been blessed with an amazing man, who was truly a gift from God. I’m stronger now and so much wiser thanks to the things I’ve had to endure. When I look at Mary, it’s almost like looking in the mirror. I used to think I was alone in my struggle, so it’s just good to see that someone else went through the struggles and came out on top, just like me. That’s Mary … that’s what she represents to so many women. And that’s why we love her.”
As I took the short walk from the Superdome to my hotel, I could feel the night air from that New Orleans night enveloping me. I stopped for a moment, looked up in the sky, and reflected on what I just experienced. I may never purchase a Mary J. Blige album for as long as I live, but the profound impact that she has had on the lives of women worldwide will never leave me.
It’s always refreshing to see art influence life, and that’s what makes Blige so loved by her fans. For years, her art has imitated their lives. And because of that, she will always have a legion of fans. You can now add me to that group.
