Mary J. Saves Life Through Music in NYC Concert (w/ video)

She’s been crowned the Queen of Hip Hop Soul, an honor that she continues to live up to after nearly 20 years of her singing career. Mary J. Blige stopped in New York City last week as part of her current Music Saved My Life concert tour. She gave powerful performances of her hit songs “Not Gon’ Cry” and “No More Drama” while her fans sang along word for word on the classic hits “Real Love” and “You Remind Me.”

“Let me show you just how far we go back,” Blige exclaimed as she pointed the microphone towards the audience. Within moments, the entire theater began reciting the lyrics of “I’m Going Down” in unison. She proceeded to take us even further down memory lane with the songs “Reminisce,” “You Bring Me Joy,” and “Love No Limit.” Blige had the crowd at Radio City Music Hall on its feet, chanting “Go Mary! Go Mary!” when she broke into her signature dance moves.

Fans relate to and connect with Blige because while sharing her life through music, she touches many other lives. On the hit song “Take Me As I am,” the soulful singer emphasizes that she can only be herself. The self affirming “Just Fine” is a feel good song that had the crowd joyfully singing and dancing. The Music Saved My Life Tour is a testimonial of life changing songs, “Everyone has a song that helped them get through some struggle in their lives,” Blige emphasized.

Opening acts included R&B singers Miguel, Jazmine Sullivan and the legendary El Debarge. The tour makes its final stop in the U.S. later this month in Concord, CA before it heads overseas. At the end of the tour next year, Blige will most likely focus on her record label and the new sunglasses line, Melodies.