Jigga & MJB: Part 1

Concert date: April 10, 2008

My expectations were high for this concert, though I still anticipated disappointment......... surprisingly, I was completely wowed!!! The concert began with a few #'s from Dream; known mostly for "Shawty is the Shit" & "Falsetto"......... two songs that I really love. But, his performance left me extremely nauseous & frustrated.......... so, I was a little antsy........

To begin, J & MJ televised an interview in which they discussed each other's success & influence on their respective genres........ the interview ended & the arena went dark; I anticipated that MJB would be first up, but to my surprise they appeared simultaneously and performed "Can't Knock the Hustle." Once completed, MJB took the stage and performed several of her most popular songs including "Reminisce", "Real Love", and "Happy."

But, the song where she really gave her all & totally changed the pace of the concert was "No More Drama." Her performance literally brought tears to my eyes...... it was pure emotion. With each word, she released all the pain that she'd endured over the years. But, by the end, there was shear victory in her voice........ she aggressively & passionately released the words, as if she were saying, "Fuck you," to every person that had doubted or hurt her. I looked around, & it appeared that every person in that audience was on their feet. Women around me were crying, shouting, and totally enthralled.

She followed with "Your Child", which included a dramatic skit......... one that brought a personal experience back to my memory at full force.......... I cried; but for real this time! She gave words of wisdom to the men in the audience, encouraging them to never abandon the children that they create......... It was real; unrehearsed.......... It was surreal to stand & listen to those words & know that women - people - experience this type of situation everyday......... two women, one man, & a child that didn't ask to be in the middle............ or even when it's just two women, one man, & the two of them caught in a situation that they never thought they would experience........... sad.

Mary followed with several more emotionally charging songs, including "I'm Going Down." There was no question that Mary intended to give an intimate tour of the emotional roller coaster that so many call, "love, life, & relationships." & she succeeded. Throughout her performance, the crowd laughed, cried, rejoiced, felt, and most importantly, related. & through out all, Mary gave every ounce of her being, as mascara ran down her face, and her famous honey-blonde bob, became undone.

At the end, Mary performed "Family Affair," allowing us to celebrate and rejoice, as she's been able to do. She followed with "Work it Out" & "Enough Cryin." Her finale.......... "Fine." She danced like a club chic, & pranced across the stage like she knew she was the shit, as the audience continued to rejoice not only for her victory, but for their own. & I realized that she'd transformed from a studio artist into a performer........ her performance could never be recreated or appreciated on an album...... Mary stands behind every word she sings.......... But, there is a deeper purpose for Mary & the words she sings.......... & that is to help us to purge, renew, & heal. But to really understand that, you have to experience MJB live!!!