Mary J. Blige performs at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL – 2/21/18 (Photos: Neal Nachman)
Fresh off receiving 2 Oscar nominations for “Mudbound,” Mary J. Blige showed Tampa she was in control, and full of strength. Ironically, “Strength of a Woman” is the name of her current album and tour.
Wednesday night at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Blige hit the stage with hips wiggling and waist twisting for “Love Yourself” and “The One.” The fervent crowd leapt upward at the first notes from her five-piece band and stayed in that position throughout the show, fully immersed in Blige’s scorching presentation.
As Mary J Blige said on Wednesday night to her fans, “there is only one queen and that queen is me and I came here to act up!” There is one thing for sure, it is that Mary J Blige sung her heart out to over 6,000 fans at Amalie Arena with a lot of soul and so much emotion. She came out in a tight white sequined body suit and was ready to show the crowd that this strong woman can make it through a bitter break-up. She used her anger and rage to release all that she has been through and put it into her performance which was very emotional but well done. Her voice was strong and beautiful and people were moved by her emotions. This tour couldnt have been named any more perfect for Mary J Blige, “Strength of a Woman World Tour.”
This Queen of hip-hop had put on such an explosive performance with a few dress changes
and singing some of her greatest hits including “Real Love” and “No More Drama,” as well as her new single “U + ME,” which is off of her newest album “Strength Of A Woman.” At this show, if you weren’t standing up out of your seat, then you weren’t listening to the same show! Mary J talked to the crowd about standing up for yourself and loving yourself and to not let any man compare you to another or treat you badly. You can tell that her empowering words are words that helped her get through some very difficult times and this is obvious that she is telling the story of her very public, but yet nasty divorce.
This was a high energy, high emotional show and Mary J Blige showed that she still has the look, the sound and the attitude to put on a great and powerful show!
