Essence Fest Performer Mary J. Blige Is Heating Up Instagram & Celebrating Strong Women In The Process

Nobody does unfiltered, authentic R&B music quite like Mary J. Blige and 2017 is shaping up to be quite the year for the reigning queen of Hip Hop Soul.

ESSENCE Festival 2017 ticket packages are on sale now! For more info about tickets, accommodations and the latest news, visit our Festival page here

In addition to bringing the first-ever ladies night to the ESSENCE Festival concert stages this July, the Grammy Award-wining songstress is also gearing up for the release of her highly anticipated 13th studio album, Strength of a Woman. In between putting the finishing touches on her latest masterpiece, Mary has also been hitting the road — and heating up social media with a host of fab photo-ops in the process. 

Most recently, MJB shared a head-turning photo on her personal Instagram page, accompanied by an inspiring message to women in celebration of Women’s History Month. “Ladies, go hard and stay focused,” she wrote. “When people give up on you, DON’T give up on yourself.”

Ladies go hard and stay focused. When people give up on you DON'T give up on yourself and DON'T lose yourself. We are TOO necessary and there is NO strength on earth like ours! #LoveYourself #StrengthOfAWoman #NWHM

A post shared by Mary J Blige (@therealmaryjblige) on Mar 11, 2017 at 4:26pm PST

Be sure to grab your tickets to see Mary light up the stage, alongside more of the biggest names in music, at the 2017 ESSENCE Festival this July in New Orleans.