Some top legends of R&B and soul music have been inducted into the 2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Notable among them are Mary J. Blige and Kool & The Gang.
Others, including Dionne Warwick, A Tribe Called Quest, and Cher, were not left out at the ceremony, which witnessed some spectacular performances.
Producer Dr. Dre, who introduced Mary J. Blige on stage, praised the immense contribution of the Family Affair singer to the music industry.
“Let’s face it, you don’t just listen to a Mary album. You feel that it is in your soul. In every single syllable, her emotional vocals capture the pain and culture, but her messages of resilience, hope, and light are a pathway toward healing. When you listen to Mary, we’re reminded we’re not alone in heartbreak,” Dr. Dre stated.
Guests at the show were thrilled as Mary J. performed some of her top hits, including Family Affair, Love No Limit, and Be Happy, and thanked key personalities for supporting her.
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The group, Kool & The Gang, was also recognized after 30 years. They are known for hits like Celebration, Cherish, Get Down On It, Jungle Boogie, Ladies Night, and others.
The last surviving member of the group, Robert “Kool” Bell, performed some tracks alongside other backing artistes at the show. Other inductees included the rock band Foreigner.
Ahead of the 30th anniversary of her sophomore album, My Life, Mary J. Blige revealed why the album was so important to her.
Speaking in Billboard chat, she touched on the impact of the record, adding that she was “in a dark place” when she worked on the 1994 project.
In November 2023, Missy Elliot, the Get Your Freak On hitmaker, relished the moment she went upstage to entertain the crowd after she was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, one of music’s highest honors.
She was impressed with the recognition, which made her the first female hip-hop artiste to be called into the Hall of Fame at the time. The 52-year-old said in a post-event interview that she almost “went blank” when it was time to mount the podium.
Born Mellisa Arnette, the Grammy winner also paid tribute to American rapper and actress Queen Latifa for paving the way.
