Mary J. Blige was celebrated like a true queen at VIBE’s 20th Anniversary Celebration and Inaugural Impact Awards at the Sunset Tower Hotel in West Hollywood last night. The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul was surrounded by her closest friends including Diddy, Queen Latifah, Anita Baker, and MC Lyte at the intimate dinner party in her honor.
“It feels great to get the Impact of the Year award. It feels amazing,” a fur-clad Mary told Rap-Up TV.
Her mentor Diddy saluted the 42-year-old R&B icon, whose debut album What’s the 411? he executive produced. “Mary is my little sister. She’s one of the reasons why I’m here,” said Puff.
Hip-hop pioneer MC Lyte also acknowledged Mary’s instrumental role in blending hip-hop and R&B. “The first music of its kind to mix hip-hop and R&B… It meant everything. It was extremely impactful.”
Big Sean, Bridget Kelly, Babyface, Andre Harrell, and Wayne Brady also came out to toast MJB, while Nick Cannon DJ’d the after-party.