Mary J. Blige Says That During Tough Times She Listens To A Lot Of...Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige. There's none other like her. She is the queen of the bounce back and reinventing herself for the next level that she's manifested. She's been in the music industry for a whopping 30 years, and she still resonates just as full. We can't get enough of her triumph, therefore she's celebrated at all times.
Nothing less.
Another major component to Mary's brand, is how she's gotten to to level of peace that she has, because it's no secret that she didn't always exist the headspace that she has now. Mostly because she has been, seen, and done it all--three times. But lately, although our sis has chosen happiness, during those times where it's gotten tough (like in this panorama), she has sought comfort in her damn self.
And honestly, that's the level of peace we ALL should want for ourselves.
She told Garage Magazine:
"I don't like to reflect on negativity through my work, but I tend to go into hiding when something is not feeling correct or there's some moments that are, like you said, trials and tribulations. I think that that is a time of reflection, and I love to look at what I need. When I look back—because lately I've been listening to a lot of my material, just to get me through the pandemic. I don't know why. I've just been playing a lot of Mary J. Blige."
Same sis, same. She continued:
"And what I learned is that I was stronger than I even thought I was. When I listen to the song 'My Life', when it comes to the lyrics, this little girl was lost. She was traumatized, she was drinking her pain away, she was doing drugs till she couldn't do them no more. She was depressed, she was dark, she was all these things.
"But she was writing these songs that resonate with this Mary J. Blige. So when I listen to those songs, it just gives me the chills, because they minister back to me. They inspire me again."
Whew, a whole word for the congregation!
Mary has also welcomed being a part of history. When the Vice President, Kamala Harris famously strutted to her song (which admittedly took her by surprise), during her historic campaign win, Mary knew then that her life had aligned with the space she has so gracefully entered at the age of 50.
Kamala Harris walks out to Mary J. Blige’s “Work That” for her first speech as Vice President-elect. 🇺🇸 https://t.co/b8dOMC7Hud— Pop Crave (@Pop Crave) 1604799130.0
"I was just writing the things I didn't have, and I was writing from a place of lows, when now, when I look at those words, those places were high. And I looked into the 'Growing Pains' album the other day, because Kamala [Harris] made me think about the song 'Work That'. I listened to those lyrics and said, 'Oh, my gosh. I was really stronger and smarter than I thought I was.'"
Yes, you are, queen. We love it when a Black woman witnesses her full circle of life. *throws on My Life to get me through this week*
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Featured image by Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com
Charmin Michelle is a southern native and creative spirit who works as a content marketer and events manager in Chicago. She enjoys traveling, #SummertimeChi, and the journey of mastering womanhood. Connect with her on Instagram @charminmichelle.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Sheila Rashid's Androgynous Approach To Unisex Clothing Is A Lesson In Embracing Individuality
The ItGirl 100 List is a celebration of 100 Black women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table.
For Sheila Rashid, it all started with some free-hand drawings and a few strokes of paint.
The Chicago-based clothing designer and creative director of Sheila Rashid Brand recalls using her spare time in high school to hand paint designs on t-shirts and distressed hoodies, distributing them to classmates as walking billboards for her art.
Rashid sought to pursue fashion design at Columbia College in Chicago but eventually took the self-taught route to build upon her knack for crafting one-of-a-kind, androgynous pieces.
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Thanks to the mentorship of local designers taking her under their wings, Rashid was able to gain valuable experience in putting together collections and creating patterns; equipping her with them with the necessary skills to pursue her own collections.
After two years of living in New York, Rashid returned home to the Chi and uncovered the unique flair she could offer the city. “I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world,” she tells xoNecole. “That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
For the Midwest native, inspiration comes from her time around creative peers and the city’s notorious winters — known to be a main character in many Chicagoans stories. “It's a different perspective and mindset when I'm making stuff because of the weather here,” she explains. “When we get summer, it’s ‘Summertime Chi’ — it's amazing. It's beautiful. Still, I find myself always making clothes that cater to the winter.”
"I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world. That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
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Many designers have a signature aesthetic or theme in their creations. In Rashid’s design story, dancing between the lines of femininity and masculinity is how she’s been able to distinguish herself within the industry. Her androgynous clothing has garnered the eye of celebrities like Zendaya, Chance the Rapper, WNBA star Sydney Colson, and more — showing her range and approach to designs with inclusivity in mind.
“I think I do reflect my own style,” she says. “When I do make pieces, I'm very tomboyish, androgynous. My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes.” From denim to overalls, and color-drenched outerwear, Rashid has mastered the structure of statement pieces that tell a story.
“Each collection, I never know what's going to be the thing I'm going to focus on. I try to reflect my own style and have fun with the storytelling,” she shares. “I look at it more like it's my art in this small way of expressing myself, so it's not that calculated.”
"My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes."
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Still, if you were able to add up all the moments within Rashid’s 20-year career in design, one theme that has multiplied her into becoming an “ItGirl” is her confidence to take up space within the fashion industry as a queer, Black woman. “Being an ItGirl is about being yourself, loving what you do, finding your niche, and mastering that,” she says.
No matter where you are on your ItGirl journey, Rashid says to always remain persistent and never hesitate to share your art with the world. “Don’t give up. Even if it's something small, finish it and don't be afraid to put it out,” she says, “It's about tackling your own fear of feeling like you have to please everybody, but just please yourself, and that's good enough.”
To learn more about the ItGirl 100 List, view the full list here.
Featured image Courtesy