Or, it could be that some people actually believe she IS talented and enjoy her CDs, performances and appearances. It doens't have to be a sociological issue. She is a proven commodity in the entertainment field and her fanbase and support extends far beyond a singular ethnic group. Her story, for what it is, is relatable to a LOT of women...and she is beloved by the gay community as well.

eireboy34 said:

At last!

A support act with talent!!!

come on don´t be childish... at last my ass:-)

talent: chaka khan, Monae, Mint Condition , Esperanza, Cee lo and offcourse Mary j Blige,,

Any Idea who opens on the 27th....???

GDB said:

Or, it could be that some people actually believe she IS talented and enjoy her CDs, performances and appearances. It doens't have to be a sociological issue. She is a proven commodity in the entertainment field and her fanbase and support extends far beyond a singular ethnic group. Her story, for what it is, is relatable to a LOT of women...and she is beloved by the gay community as well.

all of that may be true... I don't know why people take honest or critical critiques of MJBs singing abilty as a slight to her

She is not a great singer. Sure some might think so and think it all they want... but she has been on stage with Chaka and other greats and you can hear it

Nice story solid singer... her success is not built around her great singing ability any more than Janet Jackson's is.

There is nothing wrong with saying that.

Alexandernvrmind said:

Mary would easily qualify as the opening act with the least talent so far even with the most commercial success

I have never understood the MJB thing... actually I do understand stand it. The black community see a lot of themselves in Mary... and she has a great story.

But her story is better than her talent unfortunately for her

She is not a great singer. Sure some might think so and think it all they want... but she has been on stage with Chaka and other greats and you can hear it

Nice story solid singer... her success is not built around her great singing ability any more than Janet Jackson's is.

There is nothing wrong with saying that.

I'm not taking your opinion as a slight but why try to quantify or explain her success as some kind of sociological issue rather than, different strokes for different folks..?

Your opinion about her lack of talent is just that: an opinion. Yet you state it as though it was factual. Just because you don't hear it or it doesn't speak to your aesthetic doesn't make it so. That's what my issue is.

No offense but who are you to say what her success is built around or whether or not she is a "great" singer?

There is nothing wrong with calling BS on your opinion either.

GDB said:

Alexandernvrmind said:

I have never understood the MJB thing... actually I do understand stand it. The black community see a lot of themselves in Mary... and she has a great story.

But her story is better than her talent unfortunately for her

She is not a great singer. Sure some might think so and think it all they want... but she has been on stage with Chaka and other greats and you can hear it

Nice story solid singer... her success is not built around her great singing ability any more than Janet Jackson's is.

There is nothing wrong with saying that.

I'm not taking your opinion as a slight but why try to quantify or explain her success as some kind of sociological issue rather than, different strokes for different folks..?

Your opinion about her lack of talent is just that: an opinion. Yet you state it as though it was factual. Just because you don't hear it or it doesn't speak to your aesthetic doesn't make it so. That's what my issue is.

No offense but who are you to say what her success is built around or whether or not she is a "great" singer?

There is nothing wrong with calling BS on your opinion either.

Of course some of it is my opinion. I will say this… recognizing if someone is a great singer or not tends not to be a matter of opinion. Although I know in this day and age of political correctness and not wanting to hurt people’s feelings we fall back on “different strokes”. I mean it’s like saying Bruce Springsteen can play the guitar as well as Prince…. And then someone turns around and says well that’s a matter of opinion. Well people can say that all they want but anyone without some built in bias or need to cover or protect Springsteen wouldn’t go there.

We know what great singers sound like. Janet Jackson, Brittany Spears are not great singers. MJB is solid she is definitely more comfortable in the studio than she is performing live and that’s because the imperfections can be covered up. Over the years I have seen the folks on American Idol and the Voice (more recently) for example that are much better singers than Bliege. I have even seen Bliege appear on Idol and wondered how ironic that she lacks the range or vocal ability of many of the contestants. However, as I said her success is not based purely on her singing ability.

I also explain the social aspect as a component of her success because people who identify with people tend to be drawn to them. That happens in our politics Barack Obama, George W Bush and Sarah Palin and it certainly happens in music

Bliege has a great story she has overcome a lot and has conquered some self esteem demons that a lot of women particularly African American women can identify with.

To not acknowledge any of those things as contributing to her success is disingenuous

[Edited 5/28/11 6:07am]