Old girl been around 20+ years and ain't stopping no time soon. She's not the greatest singer and far as I know, doesn't play instruments and I don't think she writes a ton of her shit, so why has she outlasted damn near all of her contemporaries?

She do what she told and keeps her bosses happy.

A few reasons that i could guess.

She does have a good voice... while sometimes annoying and she was one of the people along with R. Kelly who molded the sound of 90's r&B especially slower 90's r&b.

She also hasn't burned too many bridges right? as far as i know. And i think the biggest thing that keeps her working... is she is always willing to work with anyone. She's worked with U2, Kid Cudi, Michael Buble, Ludacris, Garth Brooks, Lauryn Hill, Kendrick Lamar, Dr. Dre, Big Boi, The Killers, George Michael.

She has been more famou post 2002 as a hook lady more than anything. Her whole broken love, family, and heart shtick is old. But people still love it.

"Family Affair" with Dr Dre

and

"One" remade with Bono

These are two major feathers in her cap. Both gave her longevity and a bigger audience.

Did you hear her Christmas album produced with fucking David Foster? She is really breaking out of her shell.

Before I heard it, I was joking that her Christmas album better have a Rick James sample on it, referring to songs she recorded in the mid 1990s as the Queen of Hip Hop Soul.

She's more contemporary pop than anything now!

Cinny said:

"Family Affair" with Dr Dre

and

"One" remade with Bono

These are two major feathers in her cap. Both gave her longevity and a bigger audience.

Did you hear her Christmas album produced with fucking David Foster? She is really breaking out of her shell.

Before I heard it, I was joking that her Christmas album better have a Rick James sample on it, referring to songs she recorded in the mid 1990s as the Queen of Hip Hop Soul.

She's more contemporary pop than anything now!

Plus she's the queen as mentioned of the ''broken love'' we will make it anthem. Anytime someone needs a '' times are rough, love is rough, love is blind, love hurts, love sucks, love is hate, ima be strong'' chorus she is number 1 choice

She even did some Zeppelin covers with Steve Vai

gUNS, you're joking, right?

Cause drama makes the world go round, it stimulates all of us , and MJB and her people know this works for her and cash in on it. Plus she's talented and pretty.

[Edited 3/27/14 22:44pm]

MickyDolenz said:

She actually did pretty good. That openess to expand music genre is what is giving her longevity. I would assume that many of those who have requested her to sing with them are fans of her.

I look at this and say I would love for Janet to do an all rock album

She's somehow mastered the art of being a "team player" without selling out, has a seemingly good rapport with other artists in and outside her genre and of different generations - which allows for broader working opportunities and different audiences to be exposed to her. She's managed to evolve without straying far from what attracted her initial fan base, and therefore she can get up on stage and convincingly perform with Elton John/U2/George Michael/Bruce Springsteeen, be a featured vocalist on some euro/dance song by some abstract pop act...but her own albums don't jump from one extreme to another, so she doesn't alienate or piss off her longtime "Not Gon' Cry"/"Love No Limit" fans. Furthermore she's somehow able to stick out while still staying relatable and 'real,' and is never overexposed.

you pretty much summed up why she still is doing her thing

She is a familiar staple and has been for the past 22 years, though it still doesn't explain why sometimes I like her music and other times I don't care for other songs though it's not bad either and still sounding very much like her. I guess she's mastered hip-hop soul for her time well and has the talent and most of all, emotions and empathy to back it up.

scriptgirl said:

Old girl been around 20+ years and ain't stopping no time soon. She's not the greatest singer and far as I know, doesn't play instruments and I don't think she writes a ton of her shit, so why has she outlasted damn near all of her contemporaries?

Because if there is one thing that Mary J. Blige did right in her music career is that she gotten the hell away from Sean Combs, THAT'S why!

And also, she dismissed the "queen of hip-hop soul" title that was kind of a setback after Mary's first 3 albums.

Mary J. has overcome a lot of personal demons. Her pain and triumphs comes across in many of her songs. Women and men can relate to her struggles and what she’s singing about. Although she stays relevant, she generally hasn’t drastically changed her style to fit current musical trends. Like her musical heroes, Chaka and Aretha, she’s very eclectic and doesn’t pigeon-hold herself into being one type of singer. And the fact that she can stand in front of a microphone and sing and not have to shake and shimmy her ass in order to draw attention away from the fact that she’s just an average musical performer and not really an authentic, believable singer has also contributed to her longevity and mad respect from so many in the industry.

Don't forget how great she sounds on a house track in 2014.

She sings with an authenticity that many people, women in particular, can identify with. "Mary's Joint" is probably my favorite track in her catalogue.

So, I agree with Kit.

she nice in the face. she has a big ass. good voice. she picks nice samples to sing over. cool lyricist.

alphastreet said:

She is a familiar staple and has been for the past 22 years, though it still doesn't explain why sometimes I like her music and other times I don't care for other songs though it's not bad either and still sounding very much like her. I guess she's mastered hip-hop soul for her time well and has the talent and most of all, emotions and empathy to back it up.

This Even though I've never been a die hard fan of hers, I do like some of her songs. In her heyday, I used to think she was just a studio artist and sucked big time live, but through the years, she's gotten better and sounds better today than she did 22 years ago. I think it's great that she's still relevant today and a lot of that has attributed to being open and working with such a wide range of artists. In a way, she's taken a lot of risks that her counterparts do not take advantage of.

"My Life" cemented her legacy and was considered her masterpiece by many fans. The use of the Roy Ayer samples were brilliant as well. Averarge voice that could emote raw, sincere and genuine emotion at a time when most artist were putting on heirs. She was the ghetto, uncouth, Churches Chicken eating, ride or die chick next door that was not supposed to make it in 'Show Business'. And many could relate to that. As someone else said, no matter the genre of music Mary sang she never strayed far away from her signature sound that brought her to the dance. Mary J is awesome and I'm glad she is still around. I'm not her biggest fan, but can totaly appreciate were she is coming from.

Personally "Share My World" is her best Album from start to finish.

[Edited 3/29/14 12:14pm]

Of the 90 R&B artists that made it big - she's one of the few that really seemed to have authenticity when it came to emotion. She seemed to remember the "blues" part of R&B. I do think the happier she became in her real life, the less interesting she got - but who can blame her for wanting that. I do hope she'll continue to do interesting collaborations - and any chance to see her live is not to be passed up. One of my favorite shows of all time.

Huh. (smiling)...

.

'Share My World' (the song)... is, of course the greatest thing this one's ever done...apart from it being 'pretty', with a 'feel-good' factor... she made the music and vocals sound like one big...SIGH...really, really clever, the construction of that track...the whole vibe is just so blase, one big sigh...

.

Almost like she's saying..."how many times do I have to repeat this, you really should get it by now...beloved..."

.

Her longevity? Perhaps she's just a 'grafter'...

.

[Edited 3/29/14 17:40pm]

Her whole world changed, and people saw her differently, after she did, "Not 'Gon Cry"

Because Elton John loves her.

TeeeeHaaaaHoooo said:

She do what she told and keeps her bosses happy.

LMFAOFF

scriptgirl said:

Old girl been around 20+ years and ain't stopping no time soon. She's not the greatest singer and far as I know, doesn't play instruments and I don't think she writes a ton of her shit, so why has she outlasted damn near all of her contemporaries?

Well, first things first... the lady can sing her ass off! Second, she has good material. Her first two albums are bonafied classics and not only that, people can relate to MJB. She's the homegirl next door that you heard singing all the time and made it big and she never forgot her roots. What I like about MJB is that she sings with emotion and you can tell that she's experienced what she's singing about. She's the genuine article and in this day and age, she keeps to herself and you don't hear much about her drama. Mary's the kind of person that will cuss you out and then make you a pan of biscuits from scratch!

shorttrini said:

Her whole world changed, and people saw her differently, after she did, "Not 'Gon Cry"

I read something she said in an interview that at some point the story has to change, things have to get better etc that's after she found happiness and her husband etc

her touring career isn't what it could/should be, in my opinion. had she toured right and not as often and built the correct hype, she could have been a true arena act at her height and still playing much larger/less often/more exciting stuff

duccichucka said:

She sings with an authenticity that many people, women in particular, can identify with. "Mary's Joint" is probably my favorite track in her catalogue.

So, I agree with Kit.

This is more a factor than anything . In terms of singing, she is OK- but not in the league of Aretha or Gladys or Whtney or Dionne. But people love her image as the put-upon sista who ain't gonna take no mo' shit , and that is what ties her fans to her