February 13, 2007 @ 3:12 pm
Mary J. Blige is as VIBE as VIBE itself
Mary J. Blige covers VIBE's 150th issue.
"You ready for this?!" warns an animated Mary J. Blige. The indestructible R&B diva is holding in her petite hands a copy of her first VIBE cover story, from February 1995, and having a flashback to one of the darkest periods of her well-publicized, often turbulent career. "That day I had been up for about three days just getting high," a remarkably candid Mary confesses about the New York photo shoot that produced the now iconic headshot of her - in red hat, red hoodie, and red lipstick - looking out from the page somberly with those signature Bambi eyes. "I was just thinking, I hope no one knows."
It was two years after the acclaim of her hip-hop/R&B landmark debut, What's the 411? (Uptown/MCA Records, 1992), and the publicity machine was presenting a young Mary as a changed woman. The soaring track "Be Happy," which anchored her definitive statement album, 1994's My Life, said as much: "How can I love somebody else / When I can't love myself enough to know / When it's time to let go?" Even the magazine cover line read Mary J. Blige… Back From the Brink. Who was she fooling?
Many did know, though, about the mythology of Mary: the battles with alcohol and drugs, the abusive relationships, the rampant unprofessionalism, the canceled concerts, the "fuck you" attitude she took towards journalists and even some fans. Hell, the consensus among those in the know was that the Yonkers, N.Y., project chick with the big voice might not make it to see 30. Which is why today a 35-year-old Mary is genuinely taken aback by the news that she's been chosen to grace the cover of VIBE's commemorative 150th issue.
We love the Queen of Hip Hop Soul because she never turned her back on hip hop, going back to the days when she rocked a baseball cap and jersey in her first video, "Real Love." "I can sit down and cross my legs and you can still see that I'm hip hop," she says. But the same Mary J. Blige who has traded verses with a string of hip hop stars over the years - including the Notorious B.I.G., Method Man, Jay-Z, the Game, and Ludacris - can also be placed in the iconic company of her soul and R&B heroes Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, and Anita Baker. And yet Mary will be the first to tell you that she is not blessed with the perfect voice. Most of the time, she sings as if she is teetering dangerously close to the edge, just one note away from falling to pieces. But we love her flaws. It's pure emotion, unfiltered. It's Mary.
For the full look back on Mary's first-ever VIBE cover and iconic career curve since, cop the latest issue, on stands now. It's our 150th anniversary!
Article tags: Mary J. Blige, Notorious B.I.G., Method Man, Jay-Z, The Game, Ludacris, Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Anita Baker.
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Comments
1.
amin_king42 says:
MARY (YOU REMIND ME) OF A COO YOUNG FAV AUNTIE THATS FUN TO HANG WIT AND (DAT DRESSES REAL CUTE ALL DA TIME) LOOK UP TO!!!!!!!!! I'VE LOVED YOU SINCE
October 12, 2007 at 4:23 am
2.
Crystal says:
My girl, (Take me as I am) you always speak to who I am. My heart will always be with you.
October 9, 2007 at 12:59 am
3.
BRIANNA (NAPTOWN) says:
MARY (YOU REMIND ME) OF A COO YOUNG FAV AUNTIE THATS FUN TO HANG WIT AND (DAT DRESSES REAL CUTE ALL DA TIME) LOOK UP TO!!!!!!!!! I'VE LOVED YOU SINCE I WAS 10(NOW 26)
YRS OLD WHEN YOU CAME OUT WITH THE REMIX VIDEO AND YOU HAD THE WRAP WIT DEM SHINY SILVER OUTFITS YALL HAD ON. YOU WAS AND STILL MY GIRL!!!!!!!! I'VE ALWAYS LOVED YOU EVEN WHEN YOU WAS GOIN THROUGH IT WIT KC. I FEEL LIKE YO SIS WHO GOT TO WATCH YOU GROW INTO YOUR "BREAKTHROUGH". I'VE HAD EVERY SINGLE ALBUM YOU'VE EVER PRODUCED. YOU LET US KNOW THAT YOU CAN BE A LADY WHILE STILL BEIN 'HOOD! IM PROUD OF YOU GIRLIE!!!!!!!!GOOD LUCK WIT YO MAN GOD SENT U. YOU DESERVE ALL THE SUCCESS THAT YOU AHAVE BEEN GRANTED. HOPEFULLY I'LL GET THE HONOR TO MEET YOU SOMEDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!LOOK ME UP TO SING BACKUP!!!!!!!!!ALL I REALLY WANT IS FO ME DA BE HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!I'LL HELP YOU SING IT!!!!!!!!!!!
October 8, 2007 at 3:57 pm
4.
Mia says:
Mary has come a long way, in her past she made mistakes that we all have to make some day. But she's no different. I respect her more for her growth and strength.
BIG LOVES
Mia.
September 12, 2007 at 12:15 pm
5.
Gloria says:
MARY J. BLIGE is REAL. She is the best artist! She is an inspiration to me. Keep it going Mary!
June 6, 2007 at 8:53 pm
6.
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April 3, 2007 at 8:54 am
7.
Octavia says:
MJB, is so talented and well respected. I have been a fan since the 411 hun, yea Mary got it going on. Continue doing your thing girl, I am proud of you and so happy you found God and a man of God. What a blessing from above. U r truly a STAR!! Your #1 FAN Love Ya
March 21, 2007 at 10:30 am
8.
Lillian Givens says:
i love mary j blige my little sister is doing a project on her and i am helping her
March 19, 2007 at 4:45 pm
9.
lilkunta says:
i thought MJB said she wasnt going to be on the cover of this magazine anymore. She was mad at Mimi Valdes putting a sad pic of MJB on the conver off vibe in nov 05.
did vibe pay MJB & that made her change her mind?
March 12, 2007 at 2:59 pm
10.
fernando says:
we,in mozambique love mary,
she is great and the best
keep it up mary!
nando
February 26, 2007 at 12:38 am
11.
alicia says:
ive been a fan of mary since she first entered the industry i always had faith in her and knew she would do it stay strong girl your the best and your looking great on the cover
February 22, 2007 at 1:52 am
12.
spicy platano says:
mary your the bomb keep up the great work and stay fly
February 22, 2007 at 1:48 am
13.
N.O Baby says:
Mary looks good on this cover.
February 21, 2007 at 1:57 pm
14.
T says:
i love mary j blige and proud of her all the way around. shes a survivor! TALENTED and a good spirit GOD BLESS HER and US ALL
February 20, 2007 at 9:01 pm
15.
radiyah amin says:
hello im a big fan of mary j. blige i have all of her cd's from the old ones to the new ones sister keep up the great singing radiyah amin!
February 17, 2007 at 6:31 am
16.
Ray says:
She is the best; no more words needed.
February 16, 2007 at 10:34 am
17.
Ashley J says:
She looks great on this cover. Big congrats to Mary on her Grammy awards.
February 15, 2007 at 11:18 am
18.
Tanasia says:
I'm personally a fan of Mary. J Blige since I was in pampers. Every project that she has placed out has went beyond the point of exceptionalness.
February 15, 2007 at 9:12 am
19.
Nancy Campbell says:
Mary, was Jesus moms name,It was my moms also. God had a special plan for Mary's I love her.
February 13, 2007 at 8:14 pm