Mary J. Blige and Nas were in the building!
Mary J. Blige was asked about her singing about women’s empowerment early in her career and how it influenced a movement. Blige talked about her experiences as a child seeing unhealthy relationships growing up and being a product of that at times as an adult.
Listening to her say that the only woman that she saw being treated right was her grandmother was amazingly sad.
Listening to her say she first used her music to free herself from her environment, then others show how deep painful times in your life can be used as inspiration to do great things.
If you haven’t ever gotten the chance to listen to the “My Life” album by Mary J. Blige, you need to listen to it. It is a classic. It is very rare that you can listen to a CD and not have to skip a song. Come to think about it the song “My Life” is probably the best song on the album!
LeBron James said that his Mom and her cousins would be talking while that album was playing all the time. That was an album that he grew up on.
Nas got into the discussion with LeBron about black culture and style. LeBron talked how black culture and styles are being stolen as used by others. He went on to say that people have to continue to “push the needle” and work harder and not get frustrated for not getting the credit.
Nas went further with that stating how other cultures should not be quiet when black people are dealing with injustices. Show some credit by standing together and fighting against the injustices going on in the world.
What I got from the message is learn other cultures and understand the struggles of each culture. If there is an injustice…speak out. If all cultures ban together and join forces then change will come!