by The Powerful Friendship Between Mary J. Blige and Remy Ma
Mary J. Blige and Remy Ma are two iconic figures in the hip hop and R&B genres. While both women have faced their fair share of struggles throughout their careers and personal lives, they have found an unwavering source of support in each other. Despite coming from different generations in the music industry, Mary J. Blige and Remy Ma share a powerful friendship that has withstood the tests of time.
Early Careers and Success
Mary J. Blige broke onto the music scene in the early 1990s with her debut album What’s the 411?. Released in 1992, the album helped establish Blige as the “Queen of Hip Hop Soul” and cemented her as one of the most influential artists in contemporary R&B. With raw, emotional vocals and lyrics tackling issues like domestic abuse, depression, and addiction, Blige brought a gritty realness that resonated deeply with audiences. Over the next decade, she released a string of multi-platinum albums that expanded her influence and iconic status.
Remy Ma entered the rap game in the late 1990s as part of the all-female hip hop group Mickey Avalon. The group achieved some success but disbanded after only one album. Looking to strike out on her own, Remy Ma signed with Big Beat/Atlantic Records as a solo artist in 1998. She released her debut solo single “Melissa” in 1998 and followed it up with her first solo album “There’s Something About Remy: Based on a True Story” in 1998, which gained positive reviews but did not achieve major commercial success.
In the early 2000s, Remy Ma took a step back from music after facing legal issues stemming from an assault charge. She was convicted and served six years in prison from 2008-2014. Her time away from the spotlight positioned her to make a comeback with a new perspective and hunger to prove herself.
A Chance Encounter Leads to Friendship
It was around this time in the mid-2010s that Mary J. Blige and Remy Ma first crossed paths in a chance encounter. Remy Ma had just been released from prison and was rebuilding her career. Blige, already an icon, was working on her thirteenth studio album “The London Sessions.”
In an interview with Angie Martinez, Remy Ma recalled meeting Blige for the first time: “I was in the studio with DJ Khaled and we were working on a record. Mary walked in and I was like ‘Oh my God, it’s Mary J. Blige!’ I was starstruck…We started talking and vibing in the studio. From that moment on we just clicked and became friends.”
That initial meeting sparked a friendship between the two women that would grow stronger over the years. Despite coming from different eras of hip hop and R&B, they found common ground in their experiences as Black women navigating the music industry and overcoming personal hardships.
Blige took Remy Ma under her wing, offering guidance, support, and opportunities to collaborate. She invited Remy Ma to be featured on her song “Thick of It” from “The London Sessions” album in 2014, giving Remy Ma’s career a major boost upon her release from prison. Their chemistry was evident, showing they had instantly bonded creatively as well as personally.
A Source of Support Through Trials
In the years since, Mary J. Blige and Remy Ma have proven themselves to be unwavering sources of support for each other as they’ve faced ongoing challenges. Both women have been candid about battling addiction and dealing with the impacts of trauma over the years. Their friendship has withstood the tests of relapses, arrests, and other difficulties that could strain even the closest of bonds.
In 2017, Remy Ma found herself back in legal trouble after being charged with assault for a physical altercation with her Love & Hip Hop: New York co-star Brittney Taylor. She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to probation. Throughout the legal proceedings, Blige stood by Remy Ma’s side, visiting her in court and advocating on her behalf.
In a statement to the Associated Press, Blige said: “We all make mistakes…I’m here to support my friend through all of this because that’s what friends do.” Her public show of loyalty and understanding spoke volumes, demonstrating the deep care and trust between the two artists.
Similarly, Mary J. Blige has leaned on Remy Ma for support during her own ongoing wellness journey. In a 2021 interview with Taraji P. Henson for Taraji P. Henson’s Peace of Mind, Blige opened up about lifelong struggles with depression, trauma from an abusive relationship, and addiction issues. Remy Ma praised Blige for her courage and emphasized the importance of having “real friends” to get through tough times.
Their bond was put to another test in 2022 when Remy Ma was arrested again, this time for allegedly assaulting her employee. Throughout the legal process, Blige has once more stood by Remy Ma’s side, visiting her at court appearances and maintaining belief in her friend’s character. Their friendship has endured highs and lows, holding strong through adversity.
Collaborating and Uplifting Each Other
Beyond offering personal support, Mary J. Blige and Remy Ma’s friendship has manifested creatively as well. Since their initial collaboration on “The London Sessions,” they have continued finding ways to work together and celebrate each other’s talents.
In 2018, Remy Ma was featured on Blige’s song “No One Else” from her album “Strength of a Woman.” Their chemistry on the track showed they had lost none of the magic from their first recording together years prior. Blige has also tapped Remy Ma to join her on stage at concerts for special live performances of their collaborative songs.
Remy Ma has returned the favor by showing love for Blige’s artistry whenever possible. In 2021, she released the song “Remy x Mary” as a tribute and celebration of their friendship set to a interpolation of Blige’s “Real Love.” The heartfelt lyrics highlighted their bond: “Me and Mary, we go way back/Sisters in this thing, we holding each other’s backs.”
Beyond collaborating musically, the two have uplifted each other publicly on social media and in interviews. Remy Ma has referred to Blige as her “best friend” and “big sister,” while Blige has called Remy Ma “one of the realest people I know.” Their genuine admiration for each other’s character comes through in everything they do together.
An Example of Authentic Friendship
At their cores, Mary J. Blige and Remy Ma’s friendship seems to be rooted in authenticity, loyalty, and unconditional support – qualities that are rare to find, especially in the cutthroat entertainment industry. Despite coming from different generations of hip hop and R&B, the two have connected through shared experiences of overcoming trauma, battling addiction, and persevering against the odds of their respective careers.
While many celebrity friendships are performative or transactional, Blige and Remy Ma’s bond feels deeply genuine. They show up for each other through good times and bad without any strings attached. Even amid their own personal challenges, they make a point to celebrate each other’s wins publicly. Their friendship serves as an inspiring example of what can come from finding empathy, compassion, and understanding with another person.
Over the past decade, Mary J. Blige and Remy Ma have proven the strength of their friendship time and again. As two powerhouses in the music industry, they continue to push each other creatively while also providing a supportive home base personally. Through adversity and success, their bond stands as a testament to the impact that choosing empathy, loyalty and authenticity can have between two souls.
