

Blige instantly became a distinct force in R&B, and throughout a three-decade career has put the full power of her voice behind her music, exorcizing her demons and consequently softening her style, yet never ceding her rank as "the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul." Each one of the singer's proper studio albums has debuted within the Top Ten of the Billboard 200, highlighted by a streak of five multi-platinum titles lasting through No More Drama (2001), and Best R&B Album Grammy awards for The Breakthrough (2005) and Growing Pains (2007). Blige's debut album, What's the 411?, hit the streets in July 1992, critics and fans were floored by its powerful combination of modern soul and edgy hip-hop production that glanced off of the pain and grit of the singer's New York upbringing. By the time he finished ``My Prerogative," Brown was shirtless and many in the audience were screaming for him to get off the stage.When Mary J. Brown followed with a solo set that quickly turned to more raunchy dancing and talk about his sex life with wife Whitney Houston.
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Telephone Man." Brown then left the stage, and the remainder of the group _ original members Ralph Tresvant, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Ronnie DeVoe, plus Johnny Gill, who replaced Brown - performed several ballads. The men brought the crowd to its feet with their performance of the 1985 hit ``Mr. As the other five members moved to slick choreography, Brown ran around the stage wildly and performed raunchy dance moves. The Roxbury native, who left New Edition in the 1980s for a solo career, reunited with the Boston-based band Sunday night for two songs at the Essence Music Festival in Houston. Nothing new for Bobby Brown Bobby Brown was back with New Edition - and his ostentatious behavior stood out when he was paired with the soulful group. The 411: No Beyonce/Jay-Z or Ashanti/Ja Rule duet has come close to touching this R&B tribute to love and loyalty. Partner/Album: Method Man, EP single from ``Tical" `I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need' The 411: Blige gives good gospel on a Stevie Wonder cover that was, sadly, never released in these parts.ġ.

Partner/Album: George Michael, UK version of ``Ladies and Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael" Partner/Album: Elton John on ``One Night Only" `I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues' The 411: This superior rendition of ``Way" features Mary with Whitney in matching red leather.ģ. Partner/Album: Whitney Houston, ``VH1 Diva s Live" DVD The 411: Now 10 years old, this hit hinges on a Mary hook. Partner/Album: Jay-Z, ``Reasonable Doubt" The 411: The rapper also recorded with Pharrell Williams and Erika Badu on ``Circus," but only Mary's track was ready for radio. Partner/Album: Common, ``Electric Circus" The 411: Blige's song is the only salvageable track on this cover album that sounds like it was made with a Casio. Partner/Album: Patti LaBelle, ``Classic Moments" Partner/Album: Ray Charles, ``Genius Loves Company" The 411: Mary brings class to an intentionally classless disc - unlike Sisqo, who asks on his Kim duet, ``How many licks?" Partner/Album: Lil' Kim, ``The Notorious K.I.M." We offer the top 10 duets improved by a dose of Mary J.Ĭheck out audio clips at 10.

Sunglasses on or off, she appropriately accessories rock, pop, or rap. She's a consummate duet partner, an artist apt to make out-of-genre appearances. This isn't a first for Blige, who will perform at the Bank of America Pavilion on Aug. ``She's a great singer and the song just fits," says David Ginsburg, music director of the station, which usually plays Bruce Springsteen types. Her recent collaboration with Bono, a version of the U2 hit ``One" on Blige's album ``The Breakthrough," has made her a crossover diva - the track has officially made the regular playlist of local rock station WBOS -FM (92.9 ). Blige is not only a soul-hip-hop queen, she's a rock queen.
