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Mary J. Blige ‘For My Fans’ tour review: An emotional night fit for a queen: Review

Mary J. Blige at the Prudential Center

Mary J. Blige at the Prudential Center Photo Credit: Murjani RawlsMurjani Rawls

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Mary J. Blige’s stop in Newark Sunday was a shared night of gratitude between a prolific performer and her fans.

The R&B icon’s “For My Fans” tour comprised four costume changes, an extensive stage with huge LED panels, a massive crown adorned with the initials M.J.B. on the front, dancers, and a six-piece band to accentuate Blige’s 30-year catalog of hits.

That’s all to be expected. We are talking about the “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul,” who has sold 100 million records, performed during the Super Bowl LVI halftime show, and achieved countless other accolades.

Mary J. Blige at the Prudential Center

Mary J. Blige at the Prudential Center Photo Credit: Murjani RawlsMurjani Rawls

How do you start a show that’s fit for a legend? The Prudential Center crowd directed their attention to an adjacent stage almost 100 yards in the back of the Prudential Center. Blige sang the beginning of her 2006 song “Take Me As I Am,” donning a slick white fur coat with a cowboy hat to match. She touched the hands of adoring fans as she made her way to the front of the stage. From there, she got into a harness as she performed her DeBarge cover of “A Dream ” and proceeded to fly over the crowd, moving to the main stage.

Then it was time to dance. At the beginning of “Love No Limit,” fans shouted, “Go Mary! Go Mary!” as she did her trademark dance, complete with white knee-high boots. Blige briefly went down memory lane, moving through hits like “Mary Jane (All Night Long)” (1995), and “You Remind Me” (1992).

Don’t think the “For My Fans” show was solely to chronicle Blige’s extensive legacy of the past. She also made room to celebrate the present across her 80 minutes on stage, including songs like “Need You More” and “Still Believe In Love” from her most recent album, “Gratitude,” released in 2024.

With achievement comes hardships, sacrifices, and having to endure hardships through the lens of the often judgmental public eye.

News clips displayed her hardships, such as her divorce from ex-husband Kendu Isaacs in 2018 after 13 years. Mixed with that were interviews of Blige affirming herself through it all. There was a moment right after she performed a cover of Chaka Khan’s “Sweet Thing” (which is also on her 1992 debut, “What’s the 411?”) where the crowd roared, and Blige got emotional. She began to speak and had to collect herself, tearing up briefly.

After that she said, “You see me walk the walk. I’m not perfect. I’m still working on myself.”

Mary J. Blige at the Prudential Center

Mary J. Blige at the Prudential Center Photo Credit: Murjani RawlsMurjani Rawls

Isn’t it beautiful to still be doing that at age 54? As the night went on, the setlist personified Blige’s old and current versions of herself. After she sang the affirming “Good Moring Gorgeous,” it was time for the crowd to take over.

Some may think an artist allowing the crowd to sing stems from laziness. Don’t tell that to Mary J. Blige fans. If anything, the crowd’s emotion overtook the singer as they sang the words to “Everything” and parts of “I’m Goin Down.”

When we talk about fan/celebrity relationships in the present era, it’s usually in a negative light. That wasn’t the feeling in the Prudential Center. If anything, there was a shared understanding of vulnerability between Blige and the crowd that could only be gained through love lost only to be found within yourself.

During “I’m Goin Down,” Blige walked down to the front of the crowd and gave the mic to a fan who sang parts of the second verse. She couldn’t finish it and started to cry, expressing how much she loved Blige.

Mary J. Blige at the Prudential Center

Mary J. Blige at the Prudential Center Photo Credit: Murjani RawlsMurjani Rawls

Blige gave every piece of herself performing “Not Goin’ Cry” and “No More Drama,” complete with a digital backdrop of burning buildings and streets. During the climax of “No More Drama,” Blige sang her heart out and fell to the ground in sync with her dancers - expelling her past trials and tribulations. If there was a slight drawback to the night, it came after “No More Drama” had ended. A house DJ briefly played through some of Blige’s earlier hits. This was to make way for the final set change of the night, but it stole some of the emotional impact of what had just happened.

Things quickly picked up once Blige returned to the stage for the final time. To take us home, the singer sent everyone home on a high note with “You Bring Me Joy,” “Just Fine,” and “Family Affair.” It’s only right to celebrate after you’ve survived much of what life can throw at you. Like her 2024 album title, Blige is still striving, dancing, and singing her testimony in parallel with the voices that have grown with her.

If all you really want is to be happy, Blige showed how you can get there on a night fit for a queen.

Mary J. Blige at the Prudential Center

Mary J. Blige at the Prudential Center Photo Credit: Murjani RawlsMurjani Rawls

Mary J. Blige’s setlist

April 6, 2025 — Prudential Center, Newark, N.J.

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Murjani Rawls may be reached at mrawls@njadvancemedia.com

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