Mary J. Blige on Taking Responsibility and Education in the Music Industry

Singer Mary J. Blige recently shared insights into how her faith and the teachings of pastors inspired her to confront pride and take control of her future. On the ‘IMO’ podcast, Blige spoke with hosts Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson about the pivotal period following the release of her ‘No More Drama’ album.

Blige recounted how she acknowledged the need to take responsibility and control of her career after realizing she had been taken advantage of. ‘I used to get upset and curse everybody out because things weren’t working. And it wasn’t their fault. It was my fault,’ she admitted, expressing her regret and revealing that she had apologized to everyone involved in the album’s release.

It’s the spiritual side of things. And I started listening to a lot of, like, TV pastors and people that had information, and pride and arrogance and all that stuff. A proud and haughty person won’t go further than this, you know?

I realized that I was being prideful and disrespectful to people and just different things that made me be like, ‘Pump the brakes. I’m doing something wrong here. And I need to speak to people. I need to apologize to these people for my mistakes.’

Blige emphasized her spiritual journey and how it aided her in taking accountability. She highlighted the importance of prayer, noting, ‘Lord, show me myself.’ This prayer helped her confront personal mistakes and move forward with humility.

She also discussed the challenges of the music industry, citing influences that attempted to ‘destroy’ her and detailing her efforts to educate herself about finances and industry practices. Blige recognized the necessity of staying informed to ensure her success and independence.

Christian Toto, from HollywoodinToto.com, described Blige’s comments as refreshing, contrasting her approach with common attitudes in Hollywood. He remarked on the wisdom in Blige’s decision to embrace her faith and take charge of her career.

Seth A. Schachner, a former Sony Music executive, highlighted the enduring relevance of Blige’s emphasis on getting educated. Many artists focus on immediate success, but understanding the business side is crucial, especially as more artists operate independently.

Blige also shared personal insights with Obama and Robinson, discussing her choice to not have children based on observations of family dynamics in her youth. She acknowledged how her views evolved over time, recognizing the value that children brought to her family’s lives.

Throughout her conversation, Blige offered practical lessons on self-awareness and personal growth, demonstrating a candid approach to her career and life choices.