Thebe Mabanga
The Sammy Davis Jnr Entertainer of the Year for 1999, Mary J Blige, heads our way with R&B duet K-Ci and Jojo and saxophonist Kirk Whalum. In a telephonic interview from Germany, where she is on a promotional tour, Blige points out that, “In America, people give me love and appreciate my work. Whereas in Europe, although people know me, I still have to prove a point.”
In South Africa, Blige will have to prove whether her stage presence matches the vocal prowess that has made her the queen of hip-hop soul. Over a course of four albums, she has established herself as one of the Nineties’ most influential female artists. She missed out on the MTV artist of the decade award to Mariah Carey and saw the major Soul Train award go to Whitney Houston at the same occasion where she scooped the Sammy Davis Jnr accolade. Blige seems unperturbed by this turn of events. “It does not bother me really, as long as I’m still recognised by my fans,” she notes, emphasising her appreciation for the people in “the ghettos, who get their welfare cheques and go buy a Mary CD”.
Blige’s talent has brought her clout that allows her to invite Aretha Franklin for a duet (Don’t Waste Your Time), sample Elton John’s Benny and the Jets and feature the maestro on piano for Deep Inside. This is in addition to working with George Benson on the song Seven Days, with George Michael on his recording of Stevie Wonder’s As and inviting Michael Jordan for a cameo appearance in a recent video.
“Oh, we just respect each other for what we do, that’s it,” she states casually. She will be off to London and Milan, then take a breather at home before heading south. How does she cope with her hectic schedule? “By praying,” she says. Oh, and the J? It is for Jane.
Mary Jane will share the stage with the phenomenal Hailey brothers, K-Ci and Jojo, who began their career as part of a quartet, Jodeci, in the early Nineties. K- Ci and Jojo have an amazing affinity with “The Poet”, Bobby Womack, and they have covered Womack’s Wait until Tonight for the movie soundtrack of Jason’s Lyric. At the upcoming concert their set – like Blige’s – will be divided into two distinct sections. The first consists of their catchy, body- bumping numbers like Life and You Bring Me Down. The second – where they are in their element – consists of their chart-topping ballads.
These two acts will be supported by Kirk Whalum, whose latest album is a collection of covers from Stevie Wonder to Janet Jackson. His pandering to commercialism has led him to gather a wide audience, thus his presence here.
These stars also arrive at a time when R&B is dominated by pyrotechnical, foil- suited performers whose music is driven by staccato beats mastered by mega producer Tim “Timbaland” Mosley, and videos directed by the overused Hype Williams. The males have superficial, overstated glamour and the females place image (read cleavage and slitted skirts) above talent. Blige and the Hailey brothers stand out because, while they have mastered the convention, they bring to it 100% pure, soulful talent.
Concerts take place at the Johannesburg Stadium on April 26, the Absa Stadium in Durban on April 28 and the Bellville Velodrome, Cape Town, on April 30. Tickets available from TicketWeb on Tel: 0860 400- 500 or at www.ticketweb.co.za