Mary J. Blige knows how to make an entrance. Sunday night at St. Paul’s Xcel Energy Center, the newly minted Rock and Roll Hall of Famer emerged from a stage at the back of the arena in a cloud of smoke. She sang “Take Me as I Am” to the fans in the VIP section, which included sofa seating. Wh ile crooning her second song of the set, “A Dream,” she rode a giant flying crown over the heads of the crowd on the floor before landing on the main stage for her first of several outfit changes. What else would you expect from the Queen of Hip Hop Soul? Blige, 54, hasn’t played the Twin Cities since she was a featured artist on 2010’s ill-fated Lilith Fair relaunch and it was clear many in the crowd of about 8,000 sharply dressed fans were overjoyed to see her back in town after all these years. Her current outing, dubbed “The For My Fans Tour,” packs some 30 songs into 90 minutes and showcases all aspects of her impressive and remarkably consistent career. It also promotes Blige’s 15th album “Gratitude,” which sees her embracing her New York hip hop roots. She also told People magazine it may the last record she makes. That, coupled with the hits-heavy set list, suggests Blige may be done with music. (If she is, she can always focus on her side career in acting, which she began back in 1998.) Whatever the case, Blige proved to be terrifically entertaining Sunday night, backed by energetic dancers and a nimble band. Her voice has deepened with age, but it remains her not-so-secret weapon. She has a way of injecting her vocals with a range of emotions, from intense pain to sheer joy. No one sings a sad song like Mary. The crowd gave the hits a hero’s welcome, from “Not Gon’ Cry” to “No More Drama” to “Be Without You.” (Billboard called the latter the most successful R&B/hip-hop song of all time after it spent an unparalleled 75 weeks on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, 15 of those weeks at No. 1.) Blige clearly enjoyed the newer material as well, and sang the heck out of the likes of “Here I Am” and “Good Morning Gorgeous,” which earned a trio of Grammy nominations including record of the year. At times, it felt like Blige was rushing through songs in order to get them all in. Also, the booming bass did sometimes drown her out. But it was still a total pleasure to see this total professional show us why we fell for her in the first place. If this indeed the end of the line for her musical career, she’s going out swinging. Related Articles Music and Concerts | It only took three decades, but Deftones have booked their biggest local show to date Music and Concerts | Rosemount High School, Dakota County musicians to host free concert Music and Concerts | Minnesota Opera’s 2025-2026 season features two classics, a world premiere and a rare concert presentation of Puccini Music and Concerts | Catherine Russell and Emmet Cohen Trio to headline free Twin Cities Jazz Festival Music and Concerts | Country star Keith Urban to return to Xcel Energy Center in September ...read more read less