We all know the story about Mary J. Blige’s harsh beginnings, difficult childhood, and drug abuse that chronicled her personal life in the 90s. While we respect the struggle, we also have grown to love and appreciate the new and refreshed Mary who has traded “I’m going down/ ‘cuz you ain’t around”, and pleading to a man “I can love you better than she can”, for a woman belting out tunes like “no more drama” and “just fine”.
One aspect of Mary that stays true is her genuineness and ability to not get caught in the crazy music industry hype - something most artists are unable to escape. Mary does not sweat the small stuff. Mary is not a R&B songstress who discredits new and talented songstresses, unlike some singers we need not mention, Mary does not feel the need to mimic the younger singers, unlike some singers we need not mention, and most of all, she understands her legend and the power behind it. She doesn’t dilute the formula that made her popular in the first place by trading her image for a new one with each album. If Mary changes, it’s because she actually goes through a transformation, not because someone is behind her pulling the strings. Of course, she has sought out new sounds and tested her abilities to create new music, but all in all, she reigns true to herself.
Mary J. Blige’s new endeavor, a second perfume fragrance following her debut perfume My Life from last year proves she is further branding herself. Unlike some veteran R&B singers, Mary is not focusing on recreating her image with each album, or sounding like a knock off of another singer in the music industry. Perhaps, because she knows that those formulas rarely work. Instead, her formula is expanding her name and focus on other projects where she knows she can excel. She’s using her fame to inspire others to buy her product, and from what it seems, it’s a pretty damn good product. So all other veteran R&B singers, get a pad and take some notes.
Mary J. Blige’s new endeavor, a second perfume fragrance following her debut perfume My Life from last year proves she is further branding herself. Unlike some veteran R&B singers, Mary is not focusing on recreating her image with each album, or sounding like a knock off of another singer in the music industry. Perhaps, because she knows that those formulas rarely work. Instead, her formula is expanding her name and focus on other projects where she knows she can excel. She’s using her fame to inspire others to buy her product, and from what it seems, it’s a pretty damn good product. So all other veteran R&B singers, get a pad and take some notes.
Photo via HSN.com
