Review and Gallery by: Jaime “Chino” Flor
Fort Worth, Tx and The Dickies Arena welcomed Mary J. Blige and her For My Fans Tour in a packed house and sold out event last Friday night. The tour features Mario and Ne-Yo opening for the Queen of Hip-Hop soul and R&B, a power house line-up that makes every Gen-x and millennial fan not want to miss out with. Everyone I saw lining up was dressed for the occasion, dancing shoes on, and ready to reminisce the summers of early 2000’s where “Family Affair”, “Because Of You”, and “Let Me Love You” would be played on repeat in every club and bar worldwide.
Mario did not waste any time getting the party started and setting the energy high as he came on stage swinging and dancing. The singer from Baltimore, MD has been in the music and entertainment industry since 2001. He’s been in various movies, TV shows, and has released 6 studio albums including Glad You Came which released last 2024. “Let Me Love You” has won music awards and received Grammy nominations. He did a fine job of getting people up on their feet and singing to his timeless hits as he showed no signs of slowing down until the very end of his set. He is truly enjoyable to watch on stage and his voice captivates. A fine opening act for the fans.
Ne-Yo immediately picked up that energy and rode it higher as he enters the stage dressed to impress the Texas crowd. He is charismatic as he dances and serenades while effortlessly charming the crowd. He performs all his hits and songs he collaborated with other artists as well. Born in Camden, AR, Ne-Yo quickly rose to popularity as an artist, song writer, and composer after his first major credit with Mario’s “Let Me Love You”. “So Sick” became his breakthrough hit which was then followed up by other chart-topping popular songs like “Sexy Love”, “Because of You”, and “Miss Independent”. He has been in the industry since 1998 and has released 9 studio albums with appearances in various films and TV shows. He did not hold back performing songs all his fans love. He is a true entertainer from start to finish.
The For My Fans Tour was created to give fans a one-of-a-kind immersive experience with the Queen of Hip-Hop soul and R&B. The arena is sold out. The crowd is on their feet. Two stages are set up with one stage full of fans who scream as Mary j. Blige emerges within them. She effortlessly connects with her fans as she sings, dances, and reaches out to them. The New York singer has been in the business since 1988 and the fans present spread across generations to support the artist they love. She boasts an impressive résumé of multiple awards across different platforms including The Grammy’s, The Billboard Music Awards, and The BET awards while creating 15 studio albums including her most recently released Gratitude that came out last year. She is theatrically carried off to the next stage where she awes her fans even more with fire, smoke, dancers, and a setlist of her greatest hits that ended in a well deserved standing ovation. The venue, production team, and tour crew did an outstanding job in truly living up to the name of being a tour For My Fans.
The tour presented by Live Nation has plenty of dates for North American fans that run until April 19. The tour will then find it’s way for Europe leg in July with possible dates and locations to be added. Follow the TOUR HERE and don’t miss out. This was a spectacular event and hands down one of the best concerts I have photographed and reviewed.
