2 Chainz is making 2025 a run to remember. With a great album in Life is Beautiful already in the streets, Tony is starting to point fans toward the long-awaited…
Grammy and Emmy award-winning icon Mary J. Blige has added nine more dates to her highly anticipated The For My Fans Tour, now a 36-city celebration of her gratitude and love for life, family, and fans. Special guests NE-YO and Mario will join her on this Live Nation-produced tour.
The tour begins January 30 at Greensboro Coliseum in North Carolina. It includes stops in major cities like Atlanta, Los Angeles, and New York before concluding on April 17 at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center.
Blige’s latest album, Gratitude, released November 15 via her Beautiful Life Productions and 300 Entertainment, features the hit single “Breathing” with Fabolous. The album and tour emphasize the themes of love and appreciation Blige holds for her supporters.
VIP packages will elevate the concert experience, offering premium tickets, exclusive merchandise, and access to VIP lounges. Details are available at VIPNation.com.
Tickets go on sale starting with a Citi presale on December 10 at 10 a.m. local time, running until December 12 at 11:59 p.m. General sales begin December 13 at 10 a.m. on LiveNation.com. For Citi presale details, visit CitiEntertainment.com.
Prepare for an unforgettable celebration of Mary J. Blige’s music and message of gratitude.
MARY J. BLIGE – THE FOR MY FANS TOUR 2025 DATES:
Thu Jan 30 – Greensboro, NC – Greensboro Coliseum
Fri Jan 31 – Raleigh, NC – Lenovo Center
Sun Feb 02 – Memphis, TN – FedEx Forum – ADDED SHOW
Mon Feb 03 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
Wed Feb 05 – Columbia, SC – Colonial Life Arena – ADDED SHOW
Thu Feb 06 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center
Sat Feb 08 – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena
Tue Feb 11 – Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live
Fri Feb 14 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center
Sat Feb 15 – Birmingham, AL – Legacy Arena – ADDED SHOW
Mon Feb 17 – Austin, TX – Moody Center – ADDED SHOW
Tue Feb 18 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
Fri Feb 21 – Ft. Worth, TX – Dickies Arena
Tue Feb 25 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
Fri Feb 28 – Las Vegas, NV – T-Mobile Arena – ADDED SHOW
On this day in 1996, Ghostface Killah’s released highly anticipated debut album Ironman was released on the Loud/RCA imprint. With exclusive in-house Wu production from True Master and the RZA coupled with Raekwon The Chef appearing on almost every song on the album, making this album one of the best concept albums completed by the nine-man conglomerate to date.
The 16-track album featured several hits that bolstered the Wu-Tang Clan’s status as the best rap collective in the game, including the haunting street saga “Motherless Child”, “All That I Got Is You” featuring Mary J. Blige and the late Popa Wu and “Winter Warz”, which appeared on the Don’t Be A Menace To South Central While Drinking Your Juice In The Hood soundtrack.
This album proceeded Ghost’s abstract lyrical content as witnessed on 2000’s Supreme Clientele LP, but its storytelling premise keeps listeners glued to the cadence and rhyme style of Mr. Coles equally as much as they are attracted to RZA’s production.
Ironman finally reached platinum status in 2004, which still proves to be Ghost’s most successful album of his career. The WTC would follow up with albums that attempt to mirror the conceptual preciseness of Ironman, however, none of the Clan’s solo projects can be compared in its totality to that of Tony Starks.
Grammy and Emmy award-winning and Oscar-nominated, “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul,” Mary J. Blige announced her 2025 “The For My Fans Tour” with special guests NE-YOand Mario. The tour comes on the heels of her new album “Gratitude,” releasing on November 15. The tour and album are a celebration of the love and gratitude that Mary has towards her life, family, friends, and her beloved fans.
Produced by Live Nation, the 27-city tour kicks off on January 30 at Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC making stops across North America in Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York, and more before wrapping up in Boston, MA at TD Garden on April 14.
“I am so excited to kick off this tour. I have amazing fans and am so grateful for all of the love and support they have given me throughout the years,”said Mary J. Blige.“This tour is for them, and I cannot wait to be able to travel to all these cities and see everyone. I am in such a place of immense gratitude and peace at this moment, so also having the chance to release my new album “Gratitude” on November 15th ahead of this tour is really special to me.”
Blige will release her new studio album, “Gratitude,” on Friday, November 15th, through her own Beautiful Life Productions and in partnership with 300 Entertainment. In August, she dropped the first single off the album, “Breathing” featuring Fabolous.
Ahead of both the album release and tour, Blige will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the rest of the class of 2024 on October 19th in Cleveland.
MARY J. BLIGE – THE FOR MY FANS TOUR 2025 DATES: Thu Jan 30 – Greensboro, NC – Greensboro Coliseum Fri Jan 31 – Raleigh, NC – Lenovo Center Mon Feb 03 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena Thu Feb 06 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center Sat Feb 08 – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena Tue Feb 11 – Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live Fri Feb 14 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center Tue Feb 18 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center Fri Feb 21 – Ft. Worth, TX – Dickies Arena Tue Feb 25 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena Sat Mar 01 – Los Angeles, CA – Intuit Dome Fri Mar 07 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center Sat Mar 08 – Sacramento, CA – Golden 1 Center Wed Mar 12 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center Fri Mar 14 – Chicago, IL – United Center Sun Mar 16 – St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center Wed Mar 19 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena Sat Mar 22 – Buffalo, NY – KeyBank Center Mon Mar 24 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena Wed Mar 26 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena Fri Mar 28 – Atlantic City, NJ – Boardwalk Hall Wed Apr 02 – Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena Fri Apr 04 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena Sun Apr 06 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center Thu Apr 10 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden Fri Apr 11 – Elmont, NY – UBS Arena Mon Apr 14 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
Grammy and Emmy Award-winning, Oscar-nominated artist Mary J. Blige, known as the “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul,” has announced her 2025 The For My Fans Tour with special guests NE-YO and Mario. The tour celebrates the love and gratitude Blige feels for her life, family, and devoted fans, and follows the release of her highly anticipated new album Gratitude on November 15.
Produced by Live Nation, the 27-city tour kicks off on January 30 at Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC. It will hit major cities like Atlanta, Los Angeles, and New York before concluding on April 14 at Boston’s TD Garden. The tour will feature fan favorites and tracks from her upcoming album. In August, Blige dropped Gratitude’s lead single, “Breathing,” featuring rapper Fabolous.
Fans can expect exclusive VIP packages and experiences on this tour, ranging from premium seating options to access to the VIP Lounge and exclusive merchandise. For more details, visit vipnation.com.
Ahead of the album release and tour, Blige will receive one of the highest honors in music — induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on October 19 in Cleveland as part of the Class of 2024.
Tickets for The For My Fans Tour go on sale starting with artist presales on Tuesday, October 1. Citi cardmembers can access presale tickets through the Citi Entertainment program starting Wednesday, October 2, at 10 AM local time until Thursday, October 3. General ticket sales begin on Friday, October 4, at 10 AM local time via LiveNation.com.
This tour marks a celebratory moment in Blige’s career, as the tour and album reflect her enduring connection to fans and her ever-evolving artistry.
MARY J. BLIGE – THE FOR MY FANS TOUR 2025 DATES:
Thu Jan 30 – Greensboro, NC – Greensboro Coliseum
Fri Jan 31 – Raleigh, NC – Lenovo Center
Mon Feb 03 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
Thu Feb 06 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center
Sat Feb 08 – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena
Tue Feb 11 – Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live
Fri Feb 14 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center
Mary J. Blige is getting ready to head out on tour. MJB has announced that the For My Fans tour will launch in January, and Ne-Yo and Mario will support it.
When it’s all said and done, it’s never all said and done, I owe my fans a gratitude I can’t put into words, so I put it into a show. For My Fans Tour coming soon, see you there. Be sure to sign up to join my Artist Presale by this Thursday, September 26 at 11:00 p.m. ET. Link in… pic.twitter.com/LyS0aW2z4E
Additionally, Blige will release the Gratitude album on Nov. 15.
“I mean, look at my life right now. I’m in a constant state of gratitude,” Blige said on The Sherri show. “I feel good. I have jobs and opportunities. I’m healthy. My family’s healthy. I have people around that care for me and love me. And I have amazing fans. So I’m so grateful to my fans for all the years of love that they have given me, and support.”
On June 25, 1996, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, Dame Dash and Kareem “Biggs” Burke embarked on a creative journey that has morphed into a billion-dollar movement today with the release of the Reasonable Doubt LP.
Released courtesy of their independent Roc-A-Fella imprint, Jay’s premier album was promoted and sanctioned by the streets, with previews of the album via sampler cassettes hitting the streets in the winter of 1995. The album’s first single, “Ain’t No Nigga”, featuring a then-teenage Foxy Brown, was the introduction of “Jigga” to the industry that would eventually put him in the pole position of the rap game.
Other unforgettable tracks from one of the prototype LPs of the “mafia rap” era include, “Dead Presidents II,” “Can’t Knock The Hustle,” which features Mary J. Blige, “Brooklyn’s Finest” with the late Notorious B.I.G. and the introduction of Marcy young gun Memphis Bleek on “Coming Of Age”.
All-star production from the likes of DJ Premier, Irv Gotti, Ski and Clark Kent propelled the album along with Jay’s common street ethics surgically placed melodically on the beats.
Salute to Jay, Biggs, Dame, Pain In Da Ass and the rest of the old Roc-A-Fella staff for this timeless classic!
Over the weekend, the third annual Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit took New York City by storm, thanks to the collaborative efforts of GRAMMY and Emmy Award-winning artist Mary J. Blige, PEPSI®, Live Nation Urban, and MVD Inc. From May 10th to May 12th, the vibrant city was swept up in a whirlwind of music, empowerment sessions, industry speakers, and heartfelt testimonials, all under the banner of female empowerment. The event-filled weekend included appearances by Taraji P. Henson, 50 Cent, Funk Flex, Jill Scott, Tasha Smith, Method Man, Marsai Martin, Larenz Tate, Angie Martinez, Pinky Cole, Robert Glasper, Crystal Hayslett, Jess Hilarious, The Lox, Misa Hylton, Bevy Smith, Claire Sulmers, Michael Rainey Jr., The Clark Sisters,and many more!
The festival, created and curated by Mary J. Blige herself, marked a significant milestone for the iconic American sports franchise, the New York Giants. It celebrated a century of gridiron greatness through a bespoke apparel collection developed in collaboration with Starter, one of the most esteemed sports apparel companies globally.
Mary J. Blige, reflecting on the electrifying weekend, remarked, “This past weekend was a whirlwind in the best way possible. Getting to bring this home to NYC is something I won’t forget. Thank you to everyone who came out, to all my family who participated, and to everyone involved, including my partners at Pepsi, who made this dream come to life. Until next year!”
The festival kicked off with an intimate welcome party hosted by Mary J. Blige at Corner Social in Harlem, followed by sold-out jazz shows headlined by 5x GRAMMY-winning artist Robert Glasper at the legendary Blue Note in Greenwich Village. The evening culminated in a soulful performance by Mary J. Blige herself, alongside Glasper, leaving the audience with an inspiring mantra: “Each one, teach one, help one.”
Saturday saw the commencement of the highly-anticipated Strength of a Woman Summit at The Glasshouse, drawing over 4,000 attendees. The star-studded panels, including “Girl Talk with MJB” and “Our Men Honor the Strength of a Woman,” celebrated the magical bond of Black women’s friendships and delved into dynamic discussions led by industry luminaries.
The Summit also featured activations including a tooth gem station by Get Gem’d and a build-your-own bouquet bar. Attendees immersed themselves in “Mary’s Living Room,” featuring Sun Goddess wine and Sister Love’s jewelry designs. Pepsi Dig In Village showcased dishes from five female-owned restaurants, spotlighting the diverse flavors of the city.
The grand finale at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn saw Mary J. Blige and an ensemble of music icons, including 50 Cent, Jill Scott, Fat Joe, and Jadakiss, delivering electrifying performances. The evening celebrated the essence of Hip Hop, with surprise appearances and heartfelt tributes to “Hip Hop Moms.”
The festival concluded with a sold-out Mother’s Day Brunch Experience held at Brooklyn Chop House in Times Square. Hosted by Mary J. Blige, followed by an uplifting gospel concert presented by Femme It Forward, featuring The Clark Sisters and Jane Handcock.
This year’s festival expanded its reach across the city, embodying its mission of empowerment, elevation, and education. The event’s success was a testament to Mary J. Blige’s enduring impact and commitment to uplifting underserved communities.
As the curtains closed on another remarkable weekend, the Strength of a Woman Festival left an indelible mark on New York City, echoing Mary J. Blige’s message of love, empowerment, and resilience.
Mary J. Blige pulled up on The Tamron Hall Show and spoke about being inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
“I’m still trying to process this whole thing,” Blige said. “It’s a big deal. I’m just so grateful because I know it didn’t have to be this way but it is this way, and I give all the credit to God. I don’t even know what else to do. It’s just so humbling. I don’t know what to do besides be grateful and thankful.”
The inductees for the 2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class have been announced. Headliners include Mary J. Blige, Kool & The Gang, A Tribe Called Quest, and Dionne Warwick.
Inductees include Jimmy Buffett, Cher, Dave Matthews Band, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Alexis Korner, John Mayall, MC5, Ozzy Osbourne, Suzanne De Passe, Big Mama Thornton, and Norman Whitfield.
The 2024 ceremony will be held on Saturday, October 19th, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio.
The inductees for the 2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class have been announced. Headliners include Mary J. Blige, Kool & The Gang, A Tribe Called Quest, and Dionne Warwick.
Inductees include Jimmy Buffett, Cher, Dave Matthews Band, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Alexis Korner, John Mayall, MC5, Ozzy Osbourne, Suzanne De Passe, Big Mama Thornton, and Norman Whitfield.
The 2024 ceremony will be held on Saturday, October 19th, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio.