Mary J: What’s the 411 on women in hip-hop?

VIDEO - Mary J. Blige hopes that her role in hip-hop will empower women who follow her...

Jun 17, 2010

“People will disappoint you, but make sure you don’t disappoint you,” Mary J. Blige remarked at her charity fashion event in New York.

It’s a lesson she learned repeatedly in more than two decades of making music. The songstress, known for her soulful sound, often derives a lot of her passion from life experiences — many of which were rough.

Now she hopes that her role in hip-hop will empower women who follow her. That was the idea behind her collaboration with Catherine Malandrino to raise money for the Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now.

UK R&B artist Estelle talked about Blige’s influence when considering musicians who represent causes that have a positive impact on a younger generation, ” I definitely think Mary J. Blige comes to mind.”

When it comes to causes, Blige believes each generation of rappers influence their listeners differently. Early hip-hop artist tend to use lyrics to champion social and political causes. Now, they can take up issues outside of their music through foundations, PSA’s and charities.