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Like Nobody Else

One-on-One With Mary J. Blige

When it's your job to get up in front of a crowd of people and sing your heart out, there are certain things only another woman with the same job can understand. Recently the venerable Mary J. Blige, a.k.a. the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, and Joan Osborne got together to talk about the singing life.

Joan Osborne: Many people identify with you and see you as a role model. Is that a responsibility that you like, or do you ever feel a little bit resentful, like maybe you’re held up to a different standard than other people have to live up to?

Mary J. Blige: It’s hard because really I shouldn’t be anybody’s role model. I’ve made a lot of mistakes, done things I would never tell anybody else to do. At the same time I feel like I’ve come through that, I’ve survived it, so maybe someone watching me can see the positive lesson. But you know I didn’t do that to set an example–I did that for myself, to respect myself.

JO: Recently you’ve cultivated a more glamorous image. Do you think that’s inspiring to your fans–to see you as a very successful and very beautiful woman–or do you sometimes feel that expensive clothes and diamonds will put too much emphasis on a lifestyle most of your fans will never know for themselves?

MJB: I don’t worship these things. I like to look right so I can be comfortable in the public eye, but I don’t worship these things. They are not that important to me. And I’ll tell people: You may have these material things, but they don’t solve all your problems.

JO: Like many great divas, you grew up singing in church. Was it more fun singing in that environment, or do you like performing in a professional setting more?

MJB: Well, of course, then we were just kids. Singing was nothing but fun. It’s great to do what I do now, but once you’re in it for a business–it changes everything. You know, it’s not carefree anymore.

JO: Would you ever consider making a gospel album?

MJB: Absolutely. I’m working on putting something together right now. Just the beginning.

JO: That’s so great. I’m excited! Tell me more.

MJB: I have a lot of ideas for it. I’m hoping to get some other people involved in it: Aretha, Gladys Knight, Lauryn Hill, Shirley Caesar. I grew up listening to Shirley Caesar.

JO: Do you feel that today singers tend to sound more alike than back in the days of Aretha and Chaka?

MJB: Yeah I do. It seems like one style will be hot and everybody copies it, everybody’s doing the same shit. I get so sick of that. I try to make sure that my music sounds different.

JO: Q-Tip did a song with rock band Limp Bizkit on his latest album. Do you ever listen to rock music and think, "Wow, I’d really like to experiment with something like that?"

MJB: I listen to some rock, like Aerosmith. I wish Queen was still around. I would have loved to sing with Freddie Mercury. His voice was just crazy!

JO: I have a singer’s question for you: I sometimes have performance anxiety dreams in which I get on stage and forget all the words to a song I’m supposed to sing, or I can’t find the clothes I’m supposed to wear and I walk out on stage naked. Have you ever had any dreams or nervous thoughts like that about performing?

MJB: (Laughs) Wow, well, you know, I don’t have to have dreams about it because those kinds of things have happened to me! I’ve been onstage and looked down and seen my stomach hanging out of my clothes; I’ve had people boo me in England. I’ve had nights where my voice was just gone. You name it, it’s happened!

JO: Your sister is now your manager. Has business ever put any kind of strain on your relationship?

MJB: It can cause problems. She’s my sister, and I love her, but if something that’s supposed to get done doesn’t get done, and she’s responsible, I get upset. We get into it. But then, you know, we talk about it, and we work it out. Neither one of us is going to let it ruin our family situation. We live together so we’re not going to let that happen.

JO: What has challenged you most in your life and in your work?

MJB: Getting away from drugs and alcohol. Just having to face up to the pain in my life without that crutch. And to learn to accept myself, respect myself.

JO: I wanted to ask you about the photograph you have on the cover of "Mary." In a lot of your earlier photos, you’d have glasses on and a hat sort of pulled low over your face, almost like you were hiding. But on the cover of "Mary" you’ve used a portrait that shows your whole face, including a scar underneath your eye, and I wondered why you chose to use that particular photo?

MJB: I’m not perfect–that’s part of what I mean about acceptance. It doesn’t matter that I’m not perfect, it’s okay for people to see that. I don’t need to hide it.

JO: It’s a beautiful picture, so strong.

MJB: Thank you.

JO: How do you maintain your balance with all the pressure you’re under?

MJB: I pray a lot. When things get to be too crazy, and I think I can’t do it anymore, I go off by myself to someplace quiet and pray. That usually calms me down.

JO: There’s a new R&B so-called supergroup right now, Lucy Pearl, that just came out with a new record. If you could form your own supergroup, who would be in it?

MJB: Well, as a matter of fact there is something like that I am trying to put together. But I can’t really talk about it yet. It’s a secret.

JO: Can’t wait for that! I think that’s about all the questions I had. Is there anything else you want to add?

MJB: Just to say thanks to the fans, thanks for coming out and seeing this tour.

JO: Thank you very much for taking the time to talk with me, and I hope I can be at one of those shows, because I’m a big fan of yours. Take care, have a great night. Bye-bye.

MJB: Goodbye.