R&B diva Mary Jane Blige attained superstardom in the early 1990s by howling the blues for the hip-hop generation and giving soul music renewed relevance. MJB's lyrics are often pedestrian and her vocal histrionics are at times grating, but it's difficult to refute the emotional wallop she brings — or her ability to connect with several generations of black-music enthusiasts. Sixteen years after arriving on the scene with the 411, she's still on top, racking up No. 1 albums like last year's gritty Growing Pains, which featured the hit singles "Just Fine" and "Work That." Opener Robin Thicke provides blue-eyed soul for Generation MySpace.
