ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL 2007: Mary J. Blige Holds Royal Court

By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

mary j blige connected with the audience at the 13th annual essence music festival. Last night, Queen of Hip-Hop Soul Mary J. Blige held royal court at the Louisiana Superdome as a main-stage headliner of the final night of the three-day 13th Annual Essence Music Festival as it made its triumphant return to New Orleans.

Once she came down from her explosive first number -- a mix of the 50 Cent/The Game collaboration 'Hate it or Love It,' and her breakthrough first single 'Real Love' -- Blige tapped into what her loyal legion of fans expect of her: the connectivity between an authentic performer and an eager audience.

"In this building, so much has happened," she said of the storied venue, which became a subject of anarchy during the dark days following Hurricane Katrina's devastation. "But guess what, never again will it happen because of the prayers of the people and I just want y'all to know to know that y'all got mine." From there she launched into her 1995 single 'Be Happy.'

Though her set was shorter than usual, the multiple Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter performed what seemed like her vast catalogue of hit singles, including music from her groundbreaking 1992 debut 'What's the 411?' and her most recent album, 2005' critically acclaimed disc 'The Breakthrough.'

Songs like her knock-down, drag out signature tour-de-force 'No More Drama,' and the overlooked and brutally honest mid-tempo track 'Baggage' drove Blige's message -- about self-examination and valuing enriching relationships -- home to the rapturous crowd, who followed the Yonkers-bred trendsetter every step of the way.

"I know I am a mess sometimes, but I am a good woman," Blige said to the sold out crowd, while doling out an empowering mantra about how you can't expect someone to know and love you if you don't know and love yourself.

From there she segued into one of her most compelling compositions, 'Take Me As I Am,' which brought the audience to its feet during the song's highs and lows.

But her inspiration wasn't only felt among the sea of sisters; the tatted up, bottle blond diva --a frequent 'Essence' magazine cover girl, who is also a spokesperson for one of the festival's blue chip co-sponsors Chevy -- even had hardcore thug types rocking and rolling to her hard-edged brew of R&B music.

As always, Mary J. Blige always brings the house down...

Check out the clip below...