Mary J. Blige

The title may be No More Drama, but Mary J. brings heavy strings and commanding beats and bass to the table -- not to mention her own powerful presence. It's good stuff: she uses The Young and Restless theme on the title track, and an Al Green sample to buoy her fem-jam "PMS." Not many people can carry a song on that subject off, but then, they aren't Mary J.

Here's an interesting compare- and-contrast: Mariah Carey vs. Mary J. Blige. Where Carey's
music has rarely strayed from the pleasantries of butterflies and rainbows, Blige's music has
been a soul-baring document of struggle since she debuted with songs such as "Real Love"
in 1992. This summer, the cracks have finally shown in Carey's sunny facade; meanwhile,
after years of pain on wax, Blige is sounding healthier than ever on her new alb... More >