Mary J. Blige's For My Fans tour hit Moody Center with Mario and Ne-Yo. Grown folks night. I knew what I was walking into.
Mario opened smooth. Let Me Love You and the deeper cuts for people who have been here. Ne-Yo came out dancing and ran So Sick, Sexy Love, Miss Independent. The room stood up and stayed up.
Mary is why you buy the ticket. Real Love. Be Without You. Not Gon' Cry. She talks between songs about getting knocked down and standing back up, not in a scripted way, in a way that sounds like she's still in it.
No More Drama was the one. Whole arena singing with her, not at her. I have heard that song in cars and kitchens my whole life. Hearing it in that room hit different.
I left lighter. That is not a metaphor I am stretching. That is just what happened.
