Mary J. Blige Talks Rock Hall Induction & 'My Life' 30th Anniversary: ​​'My Fans Have Given Me So Much'

On Tuesday morning (August 7), Mary J. Blige helped famous chocolate company Ghiradelli open its first chocolate and ice cream shop in New York City.

Located on the ground level of the Empire State Building, Blige was there to cut the ribbon for the store's grand opening alongside Ghiradelli CEO Joel Burrows. The first 102 fans to arrive in store received a free Hot Fudge Sundae. Blige, a chocolate lover, relished the opportunity to work with the company, noting that her ultimate ice cream cone would consist of vanilla ice cream, caramel, strawberry sauce, nuts and some fudge.

While yesterday was a day of indulgence for Blige as she indulged in some decadent sweets, the R&B legend's 2024 has been nothing short of a whirlwind — culminating in her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, which will officially take place in October. Blige's entry headlines a star-studded lineup, sharing the spotlight with Cher, The Dave Matthews Band, Ozzy Osbourne, Kool & The Gang and A Tribe Called Quest.

“It means so much because I worked so hard,” Blige said Advertising sign before the opening of the store. “My fans have given me so much, and when I say 'we made it,' I mean my fans and me. We did this because, without them, I am not me. Through all my blood, sweat and tears, suffering, getting up and down, he was there. It means a lot to achieve something like that.”

Along with celebrating her admission, Blige is looking forward to the 30th anniversary of her landmark sophomore album My life. Released in 1994, My life produced classic Blige singles such as “Be Happy,” “I'm Goin Down,” “Mary Jane” and the title track.

“This album is so important, because it was so decisive when it came time to choose,” he says. “I was in a dark place where I didn't want to live and I was begging people to love me and stay with me. Now, I'm not begging anyone to love me and stay with me. I love my self. I found my true love. My true love is myself and me. So when it came time to choose the My life album, i chose my life. I chose my life and my fans when it came time to make that turn because I didn't want to let myself down and take half my audience down with me. That didn't seem right. I have always had a conscious and a spiritual base. That made me choose.”

Another landmark approaching its 30th anniversary is Method Man and Blige's Grammy-winning “I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By.” With a friendship that spans three decades, the two polymaths won their first Grammy together and now co-star in the hit Starz series Ghost.

“I was a huge fan of Method Man and the Wu-Tang Clan,” Blige recalls. “So Meth did the song in the studio. I believe it was his birthday and he was there watching me record this song. Meth was so happy. He is such a beautiful, sweet man. I love him so much. When we made the video, the same thing happened. I had a blast. He is a handsome man.”

Although Blige relishes her memories of the past, she'll be looking to the future when she brings back her celebration of Strength of a Woman. This year, the festival brought its New York leg, bringing out 50 Cent, Jadakiss, Jill Scott, Fat Joe and other big names over Mother's Day weekend at the Barclays Center. Blige reveals that this won't be a one-off, as she plans to return to Mecca next year with her top boost.

[“New York”] it was where I originally wanted Strength of a Woman to be, because this is where I come from and we need it,” says Blige. “New York needs it. It's home. It is here to stay and it will be here next year.”