“There’s a special place in hell for [n-word expletive] like you,” Mary J. Blige sang during “Set Me Free,” the anchor single from her “Strength of a Woman” album.
The jab was meant for her ex, Kendu Isaacs. It was one of many that took place over the course of the night. Just like the record for which the tour is named, Blige was completely transparent during her return to St. Louis Wednesday night before a sold-out crowd at The Fox Theatre. In her typical fashion, she used her pain to fuel her craft – and delivered a performance that will have fans hailing her as the queen of hip-hop soul until the hereafter.
Blige made it clear from the beginning of the show that that she is a woman scorned. But just like she has done through her music over the past 25-plus years, she hit the road to show that she is also an overcomer – and to inspire her legion of fans by working through the pain of her current divorce drama as proof.
Except for a few vocal glitches, everything about her latest stop in St. Louis was absolutely perfect. She created a new “my favorite Mary J. Blige concert” moment for her fans with this performance.
The show was billed as “An Evening with Mary J. Blige,” and that’s exactly what she offered. There was no opening performance. And Blige poured her soul on the stage for what felt more like an edge of your seat, tell-all biographical musical one-woman show than a traditional concert.
“Can I talk to y’all St. Louis?” Blige asked more than once over the course of her 100-minute set. The confessionals and advice she gave for the men of the show – as well as the emotionally charged performances that accompanied her insights – were clearly therapeutic.
“I appreciate all of this love and energy more than you can ever know,” Blige said. “You’ve been there since 1991 – whether things were good or bad. When everybody was running away from me, you were there.”
Her pristinely curated set list of fan favorites gave special emphasis to what she revealed was her favorite decade.
“There’s just something about the 90s,” Blige said. “I was just coming in the music business. I was just coming into being a woman. And y’all have been with me from the very beginning.”
“Real Love,” “I Can Love You,” “Reminisce,” “Love No Limit,” “You Remind Me,” “Not Gon’ Cry,” “My Life,” “Share My World” and more were all in the mix.
As usual, her 1994 cover of the Rose Royce classic “I’m Going Down” was a full-fledged sing-a-long. Blige was overwhelmed with emotion as her fans became a chorus singing along with every note of her rendition.
“Y’all just don’t know how good being here with you tonight has made me feel. I needed this,” Blige said.
Songs like “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore,” “Not Gon’ Cry” had special significance and lent themselves to the confessionals about her messy divorce from Isaacs that is still playing out before the world.
And Blige proved herself to be the queen of keeping it real as she discussed the details of her broken marriage. Naturally, most of those conversations were framed around the “Strength of A Woman” material.
“If it’s over, then go,” Blige said. “But why do I have to be financially responsible for your [expletive]. I don’t get it. It feels disgusting to my stomach.”
With songs like “Just Fine,” and “No More Drama,” Blige assured the crowd that this too shall pass.
“St. Louis, y’all know I’m a soldier, right?” Blige proclaimed. “If you are out here fighting for your life – up against, cancer or divorce – or whatever you are going through – I want you to put your fist in the air like this with me tonight.”
The entire crowd stood with fist raised to the sky, inspired by Blige’s strength to carry on with their respective battles.
