Mary J. Blige’s “What’s The 411?” Defined Urban Music’s New Culture
Mary J. Blige, an old soul with wisdom beyond her years, would parlay her freshman project into a lifetime of achievement
She was the girl everyone was being introduced to and yet they all felt they had known forever. She was cool and gritty, yet soft and pretty. She shot up the charts and defined what urban culture would look like for a young teenage crop of girls who were desperate for something different.
With both her sound and her look, the old soul with wisdom beyond her years would parlay this freshman project into a lifetime of achievement. And it all started with one incredible album. For the last 25 years we’ve been rocking with Mary J. Blige’s “What’s The 411?” for one simple reason. She got it goin’ on!
Mary J. Blige, The Queen of Hip-Hop soul, has celebrated 25 years since the released What’s the 411?, the triple platinum album that put her on the map.
Through songs like Reminisce, Real Love, You Remind Me, Love No Limit, Changes I’ve Been Going Through and Sweet Thang, Mary J. showed the world that she could speak on life’s trials and tribulations with ease, and do so in a way that made you believe that she had lived and loved for real.
But it was the songs that featured other artists that were the cherry on top of an already phenomenal Mary J Blige musical sundae.
At the time of “What’s The 411?”’s release, there had not been an album that fused Hip Hop and Soul in quite the way that Mary would attempt. But music fans were shocked and elated at the pure perfection of the way she would attack the musical endeavor. Hit after hit proved that not only could it be done…it could be done by her!
We no longer even have to say her full name. To us, she’s just Mary. And whether she was leaving messages about real love, going through changes over loves that were sweet, or being reminded of loves with no apparent limits, Mary entered the musical ring exuding class, down to earth appeal, fearless fashion sense, grit and an overwhelming feeling of familiarity that carried her from the airwaves straight into the hearts and minds of a people who would love her for generations to come.
After 25 years of excellence we still remember when…we first heard her voice. And if loving her is all that we have to do, we don’t want to do anything else. (Skyy Hook)
Wow!!!! 25 years ago when I walked into this business I had no idea what was going to happen. I just know I wanted to sing. pic.twitter.com/Oy06y0a1PV
— Mary J. Blige (@maryjblige) July 28, 2017
Deep in my heart I knew I wanted to touch the lives of women and people.
— Mary J. Blige (@maryjblige) July 28, 2017
I’ve done that 25 years later and I’m still doing that by the grace and mercy of God on a level I never even imagined.
— Mary J. Blige (@maryjblige) July 28, 2017
