As as Mary J. Blige sings in "Family Affair," R&B singers Mary J. Bilge, Neyo, and Mario got “crunk" before a sold out crowd at the newly built Intuit Dome in Inglewood, CA. Several musical talents performed before the Queen of hip-hop-soul graced the stage. As Mary's catalogue consists of many memorable hits, it was hard to choose which one stood out the most.
I remember the 1994 hit song "All I Need," which featured rapper Method Man from the Wu Tang Clan. The popularity of the song skyrocketed on the billboard charts and saw MTV, VH1, and BET playing it constantly on the radio and television. The blend of R&B and hip-hop creates a unique sound of soulful/street-edge music. Hailing from the Bronx, NY, Mary’s musical production captures the sounds of familiar, throwback R&B songs while also adding a classical, reggae, and hip-hop feel.
Both Mario and Ne-Yo set the tone with performances that reminded the crowd why they remain on everyone's R&B playlists. Both artists have a stage presence that radiates amongst concert goers—fans basically trampled over each other just to get to the front of the stage.
Mario's performance was a perfect mix of nostalgia and new-wave. Performing classics like "Let Me Love You" and "Main One" as well as a few tracks from his latest album. Mario had all the women screaming for more, giving the crowd a sultry and sexy performance. He ran onstage with so much hype and enthusiasm that you could hear the roar in fans' voices. Many in the crowd dressed in '90s attire, channeling their nostalgia for the event.
Next up was Ne-Yo, performing hit songs such as "Closer" and "Miss Independent." He definitely left an impression on his female fans—holding the audience's energy at an all-time high. Ne-Yo's talent for stage presence extends far beyond just his solo and acting career. Songs like "Because of You" and "Mad" may give the impression of a sly and slick individual, but they also indicate his inherent hopeless-romantic nature. Ne-Yo is, without a doubt, a talented entertainer in his own right.
Returning to Mary J. Blige—the nine-time Grammy winner gave many shoutouts to people who helped her in the music industry, as well as those who made her feel welcome when she first came to Los Angeles. She had a contagious carefree attitude; it is evident that she lives for performing. Mary definitely gave the crowd what they were asking for with songs such as "Family affair" and "Real Love"—her stage presence left a lasting impression and her positive vibes reminded me to just focus on having a good time.
Photos by Daniel Seyum
