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Mary J. Blige
See all Hip-Hop / R&B
Check out an exclusive performance from the Queen of Hip Hop Soul.
You've arrived at Soundcheck...
Walmart’s original performance series where you get up close and personal with your favorite artists. Check out live performances and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from original in-studio sets – all filmed exclusively in HD. Soundcheck is broadcast in Walmart stores nationwide – or catch us online 24/7.
Help/FAQ
You won't need to download any additional video players or downloads. The Soundcheck performances play right inside the site itself, making it quick and easy to access.
Try hitting the refresh button on your browser. If that still doesn't work, review the minimum system requirements below.
PC
• Windows 2000, XP Home or Professional, Vista or Windows 7 in 32bit and 64bit
• Intel Pentium 4 2.33GHz, AMD Athlon™ 64 2800+ processor (or equivalent)
• At least 256 MB RAM
• 64MB of VRAM (video card memory)
• Internet Explorer 6.0 to 8.0 (IE 8.0 recommended)
• Mozilla Firefox 2.0 to 3.5
• Flash Version 9.0.115 and up.
MAC
• Mac OS X v10.4 or later
• PowerPC G5 1.8GHz, Intel Core Duo 1.33GHz or faster processor
• At least 256 MB RAM
• 64MB of VRAM (video card memory)
• Mozilla Firefox 2.0 to 3.5
• Safari 3.0
If you have the minimum system requirements, reinstall your Flash Player by clicking here
We have a top-notch music label relations team that helps us book acts. They are constantly on the phone with music labels around the country trying to get the best bands on Soundcheck.
Soundcheck is an original performance series created by the Wal-Mart Music team, giving you the opportunity to go behind the scenes and get an in-studio look at some of your favorite artists. Soundcheck plays right here on Walmart.com, or, for the full high definition experience, visit any Walmart store and head to the Electronics department to watch it on the Walmart TV Network.
We'll be adding new performances on a regular basis throughout the year, so please check back regularly at Walmart.com/soundcheck for more information.
We'll have artists from all genres; some old, some new, some huge, some more emerging - but all will be presented in the same intimate studio environment. So be on the lookout!
Check in regularly at Walmart.com/soundcheck, or visit your local Walmart store and watch the Walmart TV Network.
No. Just visit Walmart.com/soundcheck and watch for free!
Once the performances launch, you can play it anytime you want, 24 hours a day. We'll keep all artists up on the site under "The Performances" tab.
We recommend broadband DSL or Cable to anyone who wants to truly enjoy video and audio on the Internet. However, we have made available a smaller dial-up version so you don't miss out.
If you are reading this page right now, you likely have everything you need. However, watching the Soundcheck performances requires at least the following in order to properly stream media content:
PC
• Windows 2000, XP Home or Professional, Vista or Windows 7 in 32bit and 64bit
• Intel Pentium 4 2.33GHz, AMD Athlon™ 64 2800+ processor (or equivalent)
• At least 256 MB RAM
• 64MB of VRAM (video card memory)
• Internet Explorer 6.0 to 8.0 (IE 8.0 recommended)
• Mozilla Firefox 2.0 to 3.5
• Flash Version 9.0.115 and up.
MAC
• Mac OS X v10.4 or later
• PowerPC G5 1.8GHz, Intel Core Duo 1.33GHz or faster processor
• At least 256 MB RAM
• 64MB of VRAM (video card memory)
• Mozilla Firefox 2.0 to 3.5
• Safari 3.0
If you have the minimum system requirements, reinstall your Flash Player by clicking here
Browse Videos
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Performance Photos
About The Artist
The Set List
-The Crew at Walmart Soundcheck
On Her New Record:
“It’s shaping up to be one of my favorites because it is exactly where I am. I’m stronger because I know that I need the strength of people to help me. I need the strength of myself. It’s okay to be vulnerable and ask for the help. And it is okay to forgive yourself and learn how to forgive others.”
On Making Music With Her Husband:
“I love the work that my husband did on the record. Without him it does not have a texture. It’s very smooth. It’s like he’s sewing it together… and it all looks like a beautiful blanket when it’s all done.”
On The Inspiration Of 'Precious:'
“I saw the movie ‘Precious,’ and... I was immediately able to relate – based on my own situation and the way I grew up, the things I saw as a child. We cannot see when we are that depressed and going through that much trauma. I was traumatized [and] it causes you to black everything out. Nothing is ever in color; It’s always black and white. One day you wake up. God sends something or someone to help you see. You never realize the flowers were so beautiful. There are a lot of women like me -- and children still -- that see in darkness and black and white. And some of them have chosen to see in color."
On Empowering Women:
“I think the thing in my personal life that empowers women is my strength, my ability to understand that I’m not Wonder Woman. I’m not Hercules. I’m not a superhero but I’m vulnerable at the same time and I can be touched."
On Celebrity Illusion:
“People look at celebrities and say, "They can’t be going through anything, they have to be happy!" Some celebrities are probably the most unhappy because they have so much money to cover up everything. But in my case there’s no money that can cover up my unhappiness or my happiness. They just see that I’m relatable that way…”
To The Fans:
“I love you more than you would ever know. I just thank you so much for everything. Without you there is no Mary J. Blige. I’m not going to let you down.”
• She’s a multiple Grammy winner. Mary J. Blige has picked up nine Grammys throughout her career and numerous other awards.
• She’s known as “The Queen of Hip Hop Soul.”
• She’s involved with many charities. Mary’s passion project is FFAWN, which stands for ‘Foundation For The Advancement Of Women Now.’ The foundation is dedicated to educating and empowering women from all walks of life.
• Her new album, ‘Stronger With Each Tear’ features red-hot production by Rodney Jerkins, The Runners, Darkchild, Ne-Yo, Stargate, and more!
• ‘Stronger With Each Tear’ is in stores now. Pick up a copy of the record online and in Walmart stores nationwide.
Mary launches into her Soundcheck set with the lead single from her excellent eighth album, ‘Growing Pains.’ Mary, who co-wrote the song, has said that the song is about having “a good day.” It also earned the artist a 2008 Grammy nomination for ‘Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.’
Be Without You
Clad in thigh-high boots and hidden behind dark sunglasses, Mary pulls out another award winner for her Soundcheck set. ‘Be Without You,’ from her 2005 album ‘The Breakthrough,’ earned the singer two Grammy nods. Sings the relatable star: “Anybody who’s ever loved, ya know just what I feel…”
Family Affair
This track, from Mary’s career-defining album ‘No More Drama,’ showcases the singer’s formidable skills as a rapper. Produced by Dr. Dre, ‘Family Affair’ became Mary’s first Number One single. Released in 2001, the lyrics still ring true. Sings Mary: “We don’t need no haters… Just try to love one another.”
The One
The first single from ‘Stronger With Each Tear’ is heavily influenced by producer Rodney Jerkin’s unmistakable beats and a Mary first: Auto-Tune! Although he’s absent from today’s performance, Canadian rapper Drake makes an appearance in the studio version of ‘The One.’
I Am
The second single from Mary’s latest album ‘Stronger With Each Tear’ is a powerful relationship tale about convincing a partner that they’ve found the best. Produced by Norwegian songwriting team Stargate, ‘I Am’ is a fitting finale to a riveting set. As her new album suggests, Mary just keep getting stronger.
