by The Queen of Soul’s Indelible Impact on Mary J. Blige
Aretha Franklin left an indelible mark on the music industry and countless artists who were inspired by her groundbreaking career. One singer who undoubtedly learned valuable lessons from the Queen of Soul is Mary J. Blige. Though they never directly discussed their relationship, it’s clear Aretha Franklin had a profound influence on Blige both musically and professionally. Let’s explore some of the priceless teachings Mary J. Blige may have gleaned from her musical predecessor.
Vocal Power and Emotional Delivery
Aretha Franklin was renowned for her powerful, emotive vocals that could stir the soul. Her ability to belt out notes and convey raw emotion through her singing defined the soul genre and influenced generations of artists. Mary J. Blige’s early style was deeply rooted in soul and bore many similarities to Aretha’s singing. Like Franklin, Blige poured heartache, vulnerability and strength into every vocal performance.
Blige’s debut album What’s the 411? from 1992 showed clear gospel and soul influences in her powerful vocals. Songs like “You Remind Me” and “Real Love” demonstrated Blige’s knack for soulful belting reminiscent of Aretha. Even her speaking voice carried the rasp and timbre of a great soul singer. It’s no secret Franklin was one of Blige’s major inspirations in cultivating her signature vocal delivery.
“Aretha was just so soulful and real. She didn’t hold anything back when she sang,” Blige told Rolling Stone in 2017. “Her voice was just so powerful. I wanted my voice to have that same power and rawness.” By emulating Aretha’s unrestrained emotionality in her singing, Blige established herself as the “Queen of Hip Hop Soul.” Her ability to blend hip hop and R&B with soulful vocals set her apart and connected with a new generation of music fans. Blige’s powerhouse pipes are a testament to Franklin’s enduring influence.
Owning Your Voice and Story
Aretha Franklin was a pioneer as one of the first female artists to tackle social and political issues in her music during the civil rights era. She sang about heartbreak, feminism, racism and more with unflinching honesty. This emboldened Mary J. Blige to own her voice and story through her music as well.
From her earliest hits, Blige shone a light on personal struggles with addiction, mental health, relationships and self-esteem. Songs like “Real Love,” “Be Without You” and “No More Drama” pulled back the curtain on pain and vulnerability in a raw, authentic way. Just as Aretha paved the way, Blige became a voice for women everywhere dealing with similar issues.
“Aretha gave black women permission to be emotional, to be vulnerable, and to still be strong,” Blige reflected in a 2017 Essence interview. “She showed us how to use our voices, our pain and our experiences to empower ourselves and others.” By following in Aretha’s footsteps of bravely baring her soul, Blige empowered a generation and established herself as the “Queen of Hip Hop Soul.” Her unflinching honesty about personal struggles made her music deeply relatable and furthered Aretha’s legacy of empowerment through self-expression.
Business Savvy and Longevity
In addition to her musical gifts, Aretha Franklin demonstrated tremendous business acumen over her six-decade career. She negotiated favorable record deals, fought for royalties and publishing rights, and started her own record label. This set an example for artists, especially women, to take control of their careers that Mary J. Blige surely took note of.
Like Franklin, Blige has proven to be a shrewd businesswoman. After over 25 years in the industry, Blige founded her own record label Matriarch Records under Interscope in 2007. This allowed her more creative control over her music and business dealings. She also launched her own vodka brand Sun Goddess in 2021.
Blige’s business savvy was evident when she negotiated a lucrative deal with Pepsi in the late 90s after the success of her album Share My World. This set a precedent for endorsement deals between corporations and hip hop/R&B artists. By building her brand beyond music, Blige has sustained a lengthy, multifaceted career just as Aretha Franklin did for over half a century until her passing. Clearly the Queen of Soul’s business acumen left a mark on how Blige has navigated the industry.
Enduring Legacy
Aretha Franklin’s musical influence is immeasurable. She revolutionized soul, gospel and R&B music with her iconic recordings. But perhaps most inspiring of all is the enduring legacy she left through cementing her place in history as one of the greatest singers of all time.
This longevity must have motivated Mary J. Blige to strive for her own indelible mark. Now in her fifth decade in the business, Blige has sold over 80 million records worldwide. She has won nine Grammys, four American Music Awards and ten Billboard Music Awards among other accolades. Blige also made history as the first woman to receive the Billboard Icon Award in 2022.
By watching Aretha Franklin’s multi-generational influence, Blige understood the importance of constantly evolving her sound while maintaining core elements that made her unique. This allowed her to stay relevant for over 25 years. Her dedication to her craft clearly aims to solidify her own place amongst musical legends, as the Queen of Soul did before her. Franklin paved the way for Black women in music to achieve longevity and leave an enduring mark on pop culture – lessons not lost on Mary J. Blige.
Staying True to Your Roots
Despite musical and cultural shifts over her career, Aretha Franklin’s music always maintained its soulful essence that connected back to her gospel roots. She incorporated elements of rock, funk and contemporary styles but never strayed far from where she came from musically or spiritually.
This influence can be heard in Mary J. Blige’s music as well. While exploring hip hop, dance pop and other genres that reflected the times, Blige consistently returned to her R&B and soul foundation. Albums like Share My World and the Love & Life record showed her experimenting with uptempo tracks, but she balanced it with deep cuts grounded in gospel and blues.
Even on recent albums like Strength of a Woman, Blige infused hip hop beats with elements of classic soul. Her raspy vocals, raw emotion and gospel influences remain intact despite nearly three decades in the industry. By maintaining her musical roots while allowing her sound to evolve, Blige has enjoyed longevity just as Franklin did for over half a century. Clearly she took note of how Aretha stayed true to her soulful core throughout her illustrious career.
An Enduring Sisterhood
While there isn’t direct commentary from Mary J. Blige about Aretha Franklin’s influence, their connection runs deep. In a 2017 interview with Rolling Stone, Blige called Franklin “a sister to me in this business and just a beautiful soul.” Their musical bond showed the power of Black sisterhood and trailblazing by women in the industry.
In her 2017 tribute performance of “Amazing Grace” at the Aretha Franklin Celebration concert, Blige’s raw emotion and respect was palpable. Even in Franklin’s passing, their musical lineage lives on as Blige continues forging her own indelible mark. The Queen of Soul left an imprint on the “Queen of Hip Hop Soul” that shaped Blige’s powerful vocals, bold self-expression, business prowess and dedication to her roots – lessons that have sustained her decades-long career. Their sisterhood is a testament to the impact Black female artists have by supporting and inspiring each other.
In conclusion, while Mary J. Blige may have never explicitly detailed Aretha Franklin’s influence, the Queen of Soul’s fingerprints are all over Blige’s journey. By emulating Franklin’s gifts, hustle and longevity, Blige has become a legend in her own right. Their musical kinship shows how Black artists build each other up through hard work, vulnerability and dedication to their art. Aretha Franklin blazed the trail as the original Queen, and Mary J. Blige has proudly worn the crown by following the priceless lessons of her soulful predecessor. Their enduring legacies will continue inspiring new generations of artists for years to come.
