Mary J. Blige has captivated audiences for over three decades, and it’s not just due to her incredible voice, chart-topping hits, and acclaimed acting. What sets her apart is the profound connection she has formed with her fans. Known as “The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul,” she is not only one of the most accomplished artists of her time but also one of the most relatable. From the moment she emerged on the music scene in the early 1990s, her fans instantly identified with her and wholeheartedly embraced her, creating a bond that has never wavered.
Jadakiss, a longtime friend and fellow Yonkers, New York native, expressed his admiration for Mary J. Blige, referring to her as the queen that she is, both in life and in the world of ‘Hip-Hop Soul’. He highlighted her strength and power, stating that she is one of the strongest and most powerful women he knows. Jadakiss also commended her for empowering women, sharing her personal story, and making significant contributions to the community and women in general. He acknowledged that despite her immense impact, she may sometimes be under-recognized and underappreciated. However, he emphasized that she carries out her endeavors from the heart, which makes her efforts even more commendable.
For the last three years, Blige has strengthened that bond by introducing the Strength of a Woman Summit and Festival, inspired by her 2017 album of the same name. This three-day event, held around Mother’s Day, focuses on empowering, uplifting, educating, and promoting equality for women. It includes engaging panels, workshops led by influential figures in the media and entertainment industry, and captivating concerts.
The festival was initially held in Atlanta for its first two years. However, this year, Mary J. Blige decided to bring it to her hometown of New York City. The Saturday concert has always been the highlight of the weekend, and last night was no exception. MJB, the VIP, invited 50 Cent, Jill Scott, Fat Joe, Jadakiss, and Lola Brooke to deliver electrifying performances on the stage at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.
The concert didn’t have a smooth start when the doors opened late, just a little before the scheduled 8 p.m. start time. It seemed there were some production delays causing the delay. However, the crowd remained excited and eagerly awaited the 9:30 p.m. start. Their patience paid off as they were treated to over three hours of timeless hits from the talented performers on the lineup.
The show began as Angie Martinez introduced the mothers of rap stars Jim Jones, A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, Jadakiss, and the late Pop Smoke. Honey BXBY and Lola Brooke, both from Brooklyn, then performed short sets before the seasoned artists took the stage.
Dressed in a stylish beige jacket and rocking a pair of Jordans, Jadakiss made a grand entrance to the roaring applause of the crowd. He kicked things off with his verse from the DJ Clue collaboration, “Back to Life 2001,” a track that featured Mary. Keeping the throwback vibes alive, Jadakiss followed it up with his hit single from his catalog, “Knock Yourself Out.”
Jada didn’t arrive by himself. He was joined by his Lox brothers, Sheek Louch and Styles P, who came out to perform “All About The Benjamins.” Sheek, dressed in all white, energized the crowd with his solo party track “Good Love.” Styles, sporting a green Sergio Tacchini with white stripes, had his own moment in the spotlight with “Good Times.” The trio’s grand finale was their empowering anthem, “We Gon Make It,” which resonates with their journey of overcoming adversity.
“When I receive a call from MBJ, everything comes to a halt and I do my best to make it happen,” Kiss shared with Variety prior to his performance. “That’s just how it is. She has always been there for me, so I make sure to return the favor. She put The Lox on the map, and we will never forget our roots. The Lox will always support her out of love, respect, and gratitude.”
The stage was taken by 50 Cent next, without any introduction. The lights dimmed and the music began. Clearly enjoying the highly competitive rap scene, Fif kicked off his performance with “Back Down,” a track aimed at Ja Rule and Murder Inc. He stood on a raised platform above the stage, reminiscent of The Rock’s impressive “Final Boss” ring entrance. A spotlight illuminated him, and a video backdrop showcased a dark blue sky with intermittent lightning flashes. He then delved into his repertoire of crowd-pleasing hits.
G-Unit’s Tony Yayo and Uncle Murda brought the energy to the stage, fueling the already hyped-up crowd. As the electrifying atmosphere intensified, the crowd erupted in thunderous applause. Back-to-back performances of “What Up Gangsta” and “I Get Money” filled the air, captivating the audience. In a bold and spontaneous move, Fif tossed his expensive blue-and-white Givenchy varsity jacket, valued at over $3200, into the crowd. Fans in the front rows eagerly scrambled to catch this prized possession.
He later wore an orange leather vest and shirt while his video backdrop transitioned from Guy R. Brewer Boulevard in Queens, where 50 Cent and Yayo grew up, to abstract art and expensive chandeliers. Accompanied by dancers, they performed “Magic Stick,” “Candy Shop,” and “21 Questions.”
He also humorously acknowledged the inevitable question – why was he participating in a festival focused on women’s empowerment? – with a playful “What the fuck am I doing here?” before diving into “Window Shopper.” He later exclaimed, “This isn’t supposed to be this much fun!”
Later in his set, 50 Cent brought out some of the stars from popular Starz shows. Michael Rainey Jr. and Larenz Tate from “Power Book II: Ghost,” Da’Vinchi from “BMF,” and Mekai Curtis from “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” joined him on stage. While most of the actors waved to the fans and enjoyed the music, Curtis, who portrays a younger version of the character Kanan, demonstrated his musical talent by playing the drums on “In Da Club” and even took a solo.
As “Hate It or Love It” started playing, Blige approached Fif to give him a warm hug and express her gratitude. Perhaps she also wanted to indicate that he was exceeding his scheduled performance time at the already-delayed show. After 50 Cent left the stage, Mary took over, radiating in a dazzling white zip-up top, coordinating shorts, and boots, and immediately started her set.
“What’s up, New York?” she exclaimed enthusiastically. “Let’s get this party started! It’s amazing to see all of you here.”
With an electrifying start, she immediately captivated the audience with beloved classics such as “You Remind Me,” the remix of “Love No Limit,” and the remix of “Mary Jane (All Night Long).” The clock was inching towards midnight, yet Mary J. Blige, accompanied by other featured guests, continued to thrill the crowd with a string of her chart-topping hits. Shortly after, Jill Scott took the stage, serenading the audience with soulful tunes like “It’s Love” and “Long Walk.”
After raising her glass for a toast with the crowd, Scott celebrated Mother’s Day and expressed gratitude towards all the moms. She took a moment to appreciate her own mother, grandmother, and even Mary J. Blige for their influence and support.
MJB’s close friend, Fat Joe, followed her on stage, joining forces with Remy Ma for a dynamic performance of their hit song “Lean Back.” With his signature confidence, Fat Joe declared, “You thought I came here to play?” and proceeded to captivate the crowd with energetic renditions of “All the Way Up,” “New York,” and “What’s Luv?”
Mary J. Blige wasn’t done yet. She had a surprise up her sleeve as Method Man made a welcomed appearance for their collaboration, “All I Need.” The energy in the venue was still high, despite the concert running overtime. The crowd was still packed and ready to groove to Blige’s closing performance of the dance-friendly hit, “Just Fine.”
After the show, Blige expressed her thoughts on bringing the Strength of a Woman Festival to her hometown, NYC. She mentioned, “Sharing the stage with my family – 50 Cent, Fat Joe, Jadakiss, Jill Scott, and Brooklyn’s own Lola Brooke – was even better than I had imagined.” Blige was thrilled by the incredible energy that filled Barclays and dedicated the weekend to all the hardworking women who selflessly contribute to their families and communities.