Para fãs de: R&B, Funk & Soul, Hip-Hop, e Pop.
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Under the influence of R&B/soul legends Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, and Chaka Khan among others, Blige earned her first taste of recognition after singing Anita Baker’s “Caught Up in the Rapture” into a karaoke machine at the mall. A recording of the performance was then given by Blige’s stepfather to Andre Harrell, the CEO of Uptown Records, who signed the young Blige to sing backup for a host of acts including Father MC. In 1991 however, Sean Combs, better known as Diddy, showed Blige the ropes and began working on her debut album. “What the 411?” was released in July 1998, and introduced a whole new wave of gritty and unrefined R&B with a strong connection to hip hop. The album went on to sell over three million copies, aided by the No. 1 R&B chart singles “Real Love” and “You Remind Me”.
Combs was once again at the reigns of Blige’s second album “My Life” released in November 1994. Largely written by the singer herself this time, “My Life” debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200, and topped the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The success of her first two albums led to Blige collaborating with the likes of Faith Evans, Method Man, Ghostface Killah, and Jay-Z.
Documenting her tumultuous and unsustainable previous lifestyle, Blige’s third full-length “Share My World” shot to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 1997. The album was the singer’s highest-selling album to date, aided by the five hit singles “Love Is All We Need” featuring Nas, “I Can Love You” featuring Lil’ Kim, “Everything”, “Missing You”, and “Seven Days”. In a move away from hip-hop towards the adult contemporary scene, the album “Mary” released in 1999, was an acclaimed album that later earned success for its club-friendly dance remixes.
The new millennium brought the albums “No More Drama” in 2001, “Love & Life” in 2003, the Grammy Award winning “The Breakthrough” in 2005, and the compilation “Reflections” in 2006. Dubbed the “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul”, Blige’s subsequent album “Growing Pains” marked the third successive album which topped both the Billboard 200 and R&B/Hip-Hop Album charts. Shortly after Blige contributed to 50 Cent’s 2007 album “Curtis” and toured as a part of Jay-Z’s Heart of the City tour.
“Stronger with Each Tear” appeared in December 2009, with guest contributions from Drake, Trey Songz and will.i.am, followed by “My Life II… The Journey Continues (Act 1) in 2011. After issuing the Christmas album “A Mary Christmas” in 2013, and contributing to the soundtrack to the comedy film “Think Like a Man Too”, Blige enlisted the help of Disclosure, Sam Smith, and Emeil Sandé for the album “The London Sessions” released in 2014.
El DeBarge grew up in Detroit, Michigan, US, as one of ten children, spending his youth singing in the local church choir. DeBarge, along with his siblings, were heavily involved with music growing up, performing regularly. His elder brothers, Bobby and Tommy, found success in the group, Switch, and later brought in their siblings to form DeBarge, signing to Motown Records in 1980. Through the label’s mentoring, the group went on to be a success in the early-1980s, creating the hits “All This Love,” “Love Me in a Special Way,” “Who’s Holding Donna Now” and “Rhythm Of The Night.” After recording four albums with DeBarge, El left the band to pursue a solo career in 1985.
In 1986, DeBarge released his first solo record, a self-titled album that featured the number three hit “Who’s Johnny?,” which went on to be featured in the soundtrack for hit film, “Short Circuit.” “love Always” also featured on the record, peaking at number 43 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The album itself reached number 24 in the Billboard 200 Album Chart and was certified Gold. DeBarge followed his debut with 1989’s “Gemini,” which failed to match his previous success.
DeBarge then left Motown, moving to Warner Bros. Records for 1992’s “In The Storm” and 1994’s “Heart, Mind & Soul,” with neither album being particularly successful. DeBarge then retreated from making music, falling into drug addiction, a battle which would last over a decade, frequently spending stints in rehab as he tried to overcome his personal issues. After serving a prison sentence for violating his probation, DeBarge returned with 2010’s “Second Chance,” on Interscope Records, returning to form, with the album peaking at number 57 in the Billboard charts. He then went on to perform at the 54th Grammy Awards ceremony in February 2012.
Attending a Mary J. Blige concert for me is like going to church. There’s going to be a lot of praising, amen's and hallelujahs. This is just the way it is when Mary is in town. My usual experience at her shows is spiritual, reflective and cathartic. Sometimes I might even catch the “Holy Ghost.” It also always leaves me drained with a hoarse voice the following day. Because I have such high expectations when it comes to Mary and the fact that this was called “The Liberation Tour,” I was a bit surprised that the show ended and didn’t feel as I had previously. Sure, the concert was good, but it wasn’t great. Don’t get me wrong, she still gave a performance I’ll remember. She preached to the choir and we hung onto every word, shouting back when necessary (and taking notes as well). Mary still looks fabulous (who is her trainer and can he/she hook me up?), but her voice wasn’t as pure and crisp as it has been in previous shows. There was something lacking that I can’t quite put my finger on. It seemed like Mary wasn’t at the top of her game. Perhaps she was tired or just having an off night. A friend who attended with me said it might be because Mary has had so much turmoil this year. I wasn’t quite sure what turmoil she was referring to – outside of Mary having issues with her charity FFAWN – so I did some research and didn’t find much that would explain Mary’s demeanor. Changing twice (into a black dress and white outfit with thigh-high leopard print boots), she started the show rocking a red shorts outfit and her trademark sunglasses. The set opened with her version of Chaka Khan’s Ain’t Nobody. Keeping the high-energy pace going, next was Family Affair, followed by Feel Inside and Enough Cryin’. She asked the audience if she could get her “Charlie Wilson on” during Real Love (which led into the Gap Band’s Outstanding). Before launching into Good Woman Down she expressed to the men that, “Fellas, I am a woman and I relate to them, so no disrespect.” At the end of Not Gonna Cry Mary had her own Holy Ghost moment singing repeatedly, “He wasn’t worth it!” I usually take a break during I’m Going Down because the audience has sung this song at every single Mary show I’ve been too. And that’s fine, because I’ve been singing along to all the songs anyway, and I need a moment to collect myself before I go HAM again. I had just one issue, though. Not only did the audience sing I’m Going Down, we also sang portions of My Life and Be Without You. I found this unusual because Mary generally sings all songs. Ending with Be Without You there was no encore. When the house lights turned on, I was a bit perplexed. The show just didn’t seem long enough. And once I realized she only sang one song from Growing Pains (Just Fine), I was even more disappointed.
Soft, midnight blue envelops the stage, setting a romantic mood. El DeBarge sits on a stool in center stage, singing “All This Love”. He sways gently back and forth, occasionally waving his arms to encourage his audience to sing along with the chorus. His soft, smooth voice melds with those of the back up singers, and the jazzy tunes coming from the drums, guitar, piano, and horn have the audience swaying along to the beat. Eldra Patrick “El” DeBarge, a singer/songwriter from Michigan, is a versatile musician. He plays a mix of R&B, jazz, gospel, pop, soul, and hip hop. He has done extensive work in the music industry, both solo and in collaboration with other artists, including his brothers. His first album, El DeBarge, was released in 1986. He followed that in 1989 with Gemini, then came In The Storm in 1992, Heart, Mind and Soul in 1994, and Second Chance in 2010. He has also released multiple singles. “Who's Johnny”, released in 1986, was listed No. 1 on the US R&B chart list and No. 3 on the US chart list, and “Real Love” made No. 8 on the US R&B chart list. El DeBarge's sonorous falsetto has been celebrated for generations, and will continue to be loved by many for years to come.