B-Side Bangers: Mary J. Blige

B-Side Bangers: Mary J. Blige

Anthony Barboza There has never been a question as to who the undisputed Queen of Hip-Hop Soul is. If we’re being honest, “hip-hop soul” as a term didn’t even truly exist before her. Sure, a handful of R&B musicians before her time incorporate some elements of rap culture in the rhythm of their blues, but none before or after her were able to fuse two of Black music’s most important genres together so seamlessly. The ‘her’ in question is none ot…

BLK ALERTS - B-Side Bangers: Mary J. Blige

Anthony Barboza There has never been a question as to who the undisputed Queen of Hip-Hop Soul is. If we’re being honest, “hip-hop soul” as a term didn’t even truly exist before her. Sure, a handful of R&B musicians before her time incorporate some elements of rap culture in the rhythm of their blues, but none before or after her were able to fuse two of Black music’s most important genres together so seamlessly. The ‘her’ in question is none ot…

The Fashion Of Mary J. Blige: An R&B Style Icon

In life and love, Mary J. Blige wanted no more drama, but that certainly never applied to her sense of style. From her early beginnings as the rising star on Uptown Records to over the course of 14 Top 10 studio albums, Mary has always been one to set the trends, not follow them. In both music and fashion, she helped bridge the gap between hip-hop culture and the mainstream, cementing herself as the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul. From her early streetwe…