This weekend saw Queen of Hip Hop Soul Mary J. Blige celebrate her 42nd birthday.  In her honor, That Grape Juice looks to celebrate the ongoing legacy built by the New York native – namely placing a lens on her soul-stirring tribute to late R&B great Ray Charles.

Accompanied by ‘Deep Inside’ co-star Elton John, the two music queens tackled one of Charles’ most memorable hits ‘Night Time Is the Right Time’.  When word spread that Blige had been tapped to take on the song’s signature female lead, some were critical of the choice.  However, as ever in her two decade long career, Blige did not disappoint.

Belting out the song’s throaty growls, Blige reminded many-a-viewer that night why she is indeed a queen of soul.  And, later returning to stage to belt Charles’ ‘Come Rain Or Come Shine’ to further drive the point home (as seen below). While we await the songstress’s next studio offering to remind present naysayers of such, we press play on this stirring tribute as proof of said fact.  We’re sure Ray was proud as well.

Happy Birthday Mary J!

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