*R&B veteran, Mary J. Blige, has had a tough road lately.
On the heels of BK-fried-chicken-gate, she’s now catching heat in Kentucky – but not for something she HAS done … it’s for something she MIGHT do.
It seems the good ol’ horse lovers in the Bluegrass State are up in arms about just how Mary J. might render “their” National Anthem to kick off the 138th Kentucky Derby, as previously reported.
Most of the rabid individuals that typical attend the annual internationally-renowned event, held in Louisville, KY, likely don’t have a clue as to what a “Mary J. Blige” even is, but somehow they got wind that the 9-time Grammy winning singer may deliver the anthem in her jazzy, R&B fashion. That prospect has sparked a furor around the city, because they feel the sacred song shouldn’t be disrespected that way.
A concerned Louisvillian called into the city’s local news station, WHAS, and left the following message on its Rant line:
“Is somebody going to ensure that Mary J. Blige performs the National Anthem at the Kentucky Derby the way it is ‘supposed’ to be sung? I think all performers should be instructed to sing the anthem as it was originally recorded and not add their own flair to our National Anthem. I have nothing against Mary J. Blige, but I prefer our National Anthem ‘original.’”
A Mary J. supporter called in and countered with:
“For those that want the anthem sung in a so called ‘good way’ for America, come on. Let Mary J sing the song and sing it with all her heart.”
Of course, racial identities weren’t assigned to either comment, but if we were betting …
To be fair, she was heavily criticized by the black blogosphere at large for her version of the “Star Spangled Banner” at the 2012 NBA All-Star Game.
As a person of color, I feel that all national anthems should be sung as they were written. No changes because it is the most patriotic song in every country besides their folk songs.
As Mary should of been criticized that renedition at the All Star Game was bad she was pitchy at best. I like Mary J’s spunkiness in interviews BUT she has never been a good vocalist IMO. Now that people have noticed I do hope she has practiced the anthem several times ot get her voice correct in order to give it the respect it deserves. Perhaps the committee ath the Kentucky Derby should jsut play Whitney’s version of the National Anthem seeing it was the best rendition ever. IMO
well first of all !…First of all everyone should just leave Mary ALONE!…but secondly who invited or set her up to perform?…to the commenter above..regardless of whether she is the greatest vocalist or not..she does have some really great songs and she does pour her heart into them..and she does have many fans a 9 time grammy winner etc…but aside from that…is it racist?…i dont know…maybe?..but ignorance and intolerance of any changes to things definitely!…but that is as Bobby Brown would say..’their perogative’ yet again… ‘they might not know..’WHAT A BOBBY BROWN WAS’…who said that btw?…who worded it like that?…to say they didnt know ‘who’ someone is is one thing…but to say they didnt know what ‘a what they are’ is another thing!..that is implying racism…isnt it?…but as far as HOW the anthem should be sung?..well you know first off that most R&B or even any other artists usually add their own personal flare and flavor to things they sing…and that is simply a personal expression…if they are afraid of that?..then why was she invited to sing it in the first place??..again some may like it and think it is wonderful and the best they ever heard it sung!…and others may think they wrecked the song by doing it that way!…all a matter of opinion ..which each of us have!…if i was Mary?..and it was that big of a damn problem…id say dont do it!…she might get boooed…and for what?..because after all it is Kentucky and we all know how redneck predjudice they are there! (im being sarcastic of course) because maybe …well evidently SOMEONE invited her to come so they must have wanted her there!…awareness is key and yes i suppose there are some places that havent caught up with the times…if they dont know ‘what a Mary J. Blige’ is? smdh..( i hate that wording! btw) .then on the one hand just maybe she should go and let them have the opportunity that they should FIND OUT just WHO she is!…then on the other hand?..what does she have to prove to anyone!?…why bother…let the ignorant stay ignorant!…They do so seem to love it (thier ignorance) and hold on to it at all cost now dont they! SMH!
if I was mary I would say”fuc it” I’m oit
She needs to go in there and do it just the way she planned to. And if that means the way she did it at the 2012 NBA All-Star Game, then so be it. Wasn’t all that “jazzy” and “R&B” compared to Whitney’s and Beyonce’s versions. And none of them disrespected the original or “good” version.
It’s really just a matter of whether she can hold her notes.
Hope she doesn’t allow them to punk her out.
Yeah, it stunk . .and she was flat . . . . . . .any more and she’d have been screeching. Fan or not (not), the anthem starts very low and ends with throat tightening notes. It’s not for the common singer and Mar’ & some reedy voiced child named B something are two of them. Can’t handle the pitch, then you gotta ditch. (and, who the hell was she pointing at? This ain’t Sesame Street or damn Romper-Room !!!)———–That said, they invited her and it’s pretty obvious, she accepted, let the chips fall they may because . . . . . .THERE WAS BUT ONE, whom could break it down . . . .THE Incomparable – Whitney Houston . . . . . . . . . . . everybody else is a “blige”.
Every time they need “The Star-Spangled Banner” sung at an event, they should just play a recording of Whitney Houston singing it. IMHO, THAT is the standard!! NOBODY can top it!!!