Mary J Blige illuminates BET Awards

THE QUEEN OF HIP HOP SOUL HAS RECEIVED ANOTHER JEWEL IN HER CROWN OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

By Mona Austin

"No More Drama" singer, Mary J. Blige is the recipient of the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award.

Miss Blige, 48 is immensely  deserving of the accolade, not only because of her highly decorated over 25 year career that started in the early 90s, but also because she is in a rare breed of artists whose music continues to be relevant to multiple generations.  Simultaneously an actress and philanthropist, her resume includes eight multi-platinum albums, nine Grammy Awards (plus a staggering 32 nominations), two Academy Award nominations, two Golden Globe nominations, and a SAG nomination the singer/songwriter has attracted an intensely loyal fan base—responsible for propelling worldwide sales of more than 50 million albums. The world began to embrace her when at the age of 18 when she became Uptown Records youngest and first female artist. Over the years, Blige has helped redefine R&B in the contemporary music era with chart-topping hits like “Be Without You”, “No More Drama” and “Family Affair.” At the 2018 Academy Awards, Blige made history as the first double nominee across the acting and music categories for Best Song and Best Supporting Actress for her work on Mudbound.  As Rihanna, who presented the award said, because Mary is so relatable she gave others confidence to be themselves. 

Her acceptance speech on Sunday night at the award show was as real, honest as it gets, during which  explained how she responds when people ask about longevity in the entertainment business.  "It's bc although I am a leader, a queen, a living legend --although I am  all these things -- I am a servant as well." She added she is fulfilling an assignment. "When the glory is placed on me." shared Blige,  "I give it back to God immediately.  This journey ahs always been bigger than me." Host Regina Hall called Blige, "the soundtrack to our culture."

Then, as humbly as she knew how, Queen Mary took to the stage after a quick wardrobe change, returned wearing all white and drilled a hole in the stage that will go down in BET Awards history as one of the most-crowd pleasing ever.  Method Man and Lil Kim took an already hot performance up a notch seasoning the California audience with with their New York flavor.