Video: Mary J. Blige f. Trey Songz, “We Got Hood Love”
Mary and Trey have just dropped one of the most dramatic videos out right now, but don’t be mad—it’s dope, plus it features a cameo by one of our favorite young actresses, Melonie Diaz. Check it out after the jump.
DEFinition: Making Hip-Hop’s Classic Album Covers with Cey Adams & Bill Adler
Giant put together this brief but fascinating video about Cey Adams, former art director at Def Jam and creator of some of the most iconic hip-hop album covers of all time. Adams has just put together a book with inveterate hip hop technician Bill Adler about the process of making them and their legacy. Wanna know who created Mary J. Blige’s signature logo? Yep, this is the dude. Not to be missed. Watch after the jump. (via Nah Right)
Video: Mary J. Blige Performs on American Idol
Last night Mary J performed with an all-star band on American Idol in support of “Idol Gives Back.” Travis Barker was amazing! Just kidding! Everyone was good. Backed by Randy Jackson, Travis, Steve Vai and Orianthi; Mary donned her signature diva biker look with iced out mic as accessory and did what she does best—wail!
Some Led Zeppelin fans might be ready to burn her house down but we think she held her own. There was an awkward moment when she tried to rock out to the mini-shreds and her body moved in weird robotic juxtapositions but then she just fell into her “What’s the 411?” Mary-stomp (you know the one where she’s really feeling the music and goes insane) and all was good. You’re not a rock star Mary, you’re a soul queen and we love you for it. Anything that makes Mary yell is alright with us and it was for a good cause. Plus did we mention Travis Barker was on stage?! Oh ok just checking. Watch after the jump.
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Video: Demarco f. Craig from Voicemail, “Show It”
Old song, new video, which hopefully Demarco can us to pull himself back up into the American mainstream (or at least as mainstream as he was with “Fallen Soldiers,” his peak). Judging from the amount of reggae slowjam crossovers as of late (see: Mary J Blige and Jah Cure, Nas and Damian Marley), seems like the American palette is broadening for its annual “nothing sounds better than dancehall in the summer” vibes exchange (is that everywhere, or is it just Brooklyn?) so maybe Demarco does have a fighting chance. Or he could just pull up Craig from Kingston trio Voicemail. Either way, some babies are probably gonna get half-made to this one.
Parental Advisory: Mary J. Blige f. Jah Cure, “Each Tear (Reggae RMX)” MP3
Check for updates on what your parent’s favorite musicians are doing in our weekly Parental Advisory post. This week’s soul pioneer still making a stamp on music: Mary J. Blige.
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Parental Advisory: Mary J. Blige Covers Led Zeppelin MP3
Mary J. Blige has come a long way from hanging out on rooftops in Yonkers, rocking door knockers and stunna shades. The alleviation of drama from her life has inspired her songwriting out of the depths of heartbreak and into a realm of making music for the older and in love types. With the evolution of Mary from doing R&B her voice is heard in all genres, including opera. She’s far from her around the way girl roots though on her recent covers of two Led Zeppelin records.
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Video: Mary J. Blige Live on Letterman
Confession: Mary sounded so good in this performance we thought she was lip-synching. Yes we’re ashamed, but in our defense y’all know when she performs she puts you THROUGH it. This was so calm, so smooth. A lot of people say they liked MJB better when she was singing about the pain/cocaine in her life but isn’t everyone entitled to a little happiness? Call us saps but we’re all about the happy Mary. Especially when it means she looks and sounds this good. The performance is just one of many songs she performed last night for her live webcast concert at the Ed Sullivan Theater. Also the gangster is still there! Did you see when she took her iced-out mic off the stage and sat on it during the interview?!?! You’re right Mary: can’t trust those late-night thieves for a second! -Judnick Mayard
CYRIOUSLY: The Future Is Now…
Hopefully by this point, readers have been able to take some of my postings with a grain of salt (and a gulp of Mountain Dew) because I have no intent on slowing down my mind flow and speaking freely. Cyrus x seriousssssly, man…so with that being said, I want to take a quick moment and focus on the future of R&B.
Mary J. Blige, “Brand New” MP3
Are we cynical for thinking the answer to Mary’s verse in this song is like, you guys should just break up? It’s about trying to put the spark back in a long-running relationship but sounds like Mary’s doing all the work. What about Kendu, though? This song is good anyway, the kind of love ballad MJB excels at.
Download: Mary J Blige, “Brand New” (via Miss Info)
Video: Mary J Blige, “I Am”
We think this is a sleeper hit—the chorus is so subtle and yet we can’t get it out of our heads. The video is a perfect match, with Mary acting like a normal lady living in a gigantic professionally decorated mansion with a dedicated string instrument room, just thinking about her man by the ocean. So basically exactly like our lives, see Mary is so popular because she makes things we can relate to. It’s true!
