Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 19 July 2002 — Page 4

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, JULY 19,2002

Rock the vote

Marlon County Judgo Tanya Walton-Pratt (right) talks with cltlzana during tho local Democratic Party’s recant voter registration drive. (photo/C.Guynn)

MARY J. BLIGE

Indiana Black Expo’s Music Heritage Festival II. A diva’s evolution Mary’s music is so personal. You feel what she’s feeling or maybe it’s the other way around. When she hit the scene with “What’s the 411,” she was still a little rough around the edges. But now we see a diamond was there all along. And like adiamond, Mary had experienced pressures in her life in order to remove all the debris and let her light shine. We partied and danced with her and then she broke up with K-Ci. This dark period in her life led to the sublime album “My Life” — my favorite album. When I heard the first single “Be Happy” and saw Mary standing on the mountain top as close as she could get to God, I thought “I want it, too.” You could hear the hurt in Mary' s voice. All she wanted was happiness, no more pain. “My Life” was Mary’s therapy. And what woman hasn’t experienced love gone wrong? With each album Mary’s shed some of the pain. She began slowly peeling away her cocoon on “Share My World,” and by the time “Mary” was released, a beautiful butterfly had emerged. “No More Drama” is allowing us to see the butterfly flying grace-

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The girl who wore sunglasses because she was high and showed up late to appointments, has disappeared. She’s learned to be on time for appointments and respectful to other people. Mary’s matured. And so have her fans. She’s grown with us and her music has been the background for our lives. Mary has learned to rely on God instead of man. She’s focused on being around positive people and doing positive things. The many faces of Mary And then there’s the fashion. Mary’s hair has gone from brown to honey blonde to platinum blonde to strawberry blonde to bright red just to name a few. It’s been short, long and in between. She’s always on the cutting edge with her hair. Just look at how many women are wearing wispy, Farrah Fawcett hair today. Her makeup is flawless. Her looks and bankable reputation have led the way for her to become a model, endorsing products for such beauty lions as M. A.C cosmetics, Dark & Lovely haircare products and has even strutted her stuff on the catwalk for the likes of Tommy Hilfiger. When Mary first started, her wardrobe reflected heryouth. What was once b-girl cool is now re-

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placed by glamour. Mary gives us style, flair and always keeps us on the cusp of fashion. She shows us that no matter where we come from, or how we lived, we can change. Change our attitude, our mindset, our friends and our look. She lets us know no matter how rich she gets, she’s still a person with flaws and pain, yet lives on through perseverance. So Mary keep your head to the sky, and we’ll be right there with you. Recorder Editor Anart V. Holmes contributed to this report. Musk that speaks to the heart Mary’s fans share their favorite songs: “You Gotta Believe” “It just lifts me up. When you think you can’t do something, the words of the song make me believe I can do whatever I put my mind to as long as I believe it.” —Olivia Simpson ***** “My favorite would have to be ‘No More Drama.’ I can truly relate to the message she conveys in that song.” —Michael McDaniel ***** “I loved her first hit, ‘You Remind Me’. Me and my wife enjoy listening to her music.” — Jackie Bledsoe, Jr. ***** “I enjoy “Rainy Days”, the duet Mary has done with rapper Ja Rule. It’s a realistic account of everyday life.” — Michelle Jones ***** “Well, I actually have two favorites that are tied for first place. I like ‘You Remind Me’ and ‘No More Pain’.” — Tracie P. Gibson

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Recorder staff favorites Jeana Lewis, production manager — “My Life” “The first reason is the music —something about the piano got me. Then I really like the lyrics. Certain parts of the song resonate with me and inspire me.” ***** Shannon Williams, assistant editor—“Don’t Waste Your Time” “There is definitely a lesson to be learned with that song. You have an older more experienced woman (Aretha Franklin) tel I ing a younger woman (Mary J) not to waste her time with a no-good man. The way Aretha and Mary sing that song with so much emotion, you can really understand the frustrations that both women feel. I think the message in the song is very powerful.” ***** Anart V. Holmes, editor— “I was completely taken aback by her first album ‘What’s the 411?’ It is one of the best CDs I’ve ever purchased. But right now. I’m really feeling P. Diddy’s remix of ‘No More Drama,’ because that’s where I’m at right now.”

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