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How Come Mary J Blige isnt Considered a xes Symbol?

GREMLINtwin

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I think it’s the edginess that she exudes. Sometimes, your aura will define you.

Mary also was never one to display her body for attention, which can elevate xes appeal. In the 90’s, it was just about her music and her love life was so dark. I remember when she was with KC from Jodeci, there was drama swirling around their relationship.

Just recently, she’s been showing off her body more. Because for her age, she looks great.


Thats a lie, i forget which song but mary was dancing around in a grey outfit with her saggy titties and nipples sticking out just flopping around. I forget which video it is but its sad
 

NaughtyProfessor

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Sexy is incredibly subjective and there’s always an expectation in the industry to fit what men view as sexy, which is the infantilized woman/ child and it never changes.

She didn’t sound or look that way. Good for her.

She’s been to hell and back, truly lived and I think that’s the highest compliment. A major success in her field. As many of us get older this becomes way more attractive and admired. Substance.
 
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messymeesha

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Mary just not sexy point blank period. And plus she came out in the early 90s around the time where music was just pure talent and women were more of the around the way girl types and female empowerment etc. Queen Latifah, Moni Love, MC Lyte, salt and pepa etc.. Alot of female artist were not showing all they body and selling xes for attention. Back then everyone was wearing baggy clothing and whatnot. Not even the girl groups xscape, Swv, Jade, and the likes were just pure talent and singing wasn't any overly xesual females artist. You saw most of the half naked woman in rap videos back then. And people was clutching they pearls from Luke and 2 Live Crew Me So Horny and Pop That Coochie videos back then. It wasn't till later in the 90s when everything turned sexy. MJB just never joined in the movement of selling and singing about xes. King magazine started featuring sexy females actresses and singers later like in the 2000s.
 

messymeesha

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LaVieBoheme

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why.....why why why...
it was several things.
her image wasn't trashy + she is dark skinned + in a colorist music industry.

The rule is that if you're a dark skinned black woman in hip hop, you don't get to be considered a 'xes symbol' unless you wear skimpy clothes and talk nonstop about your WAP.

Refer to:
MV5BNTY2NDA5ODE1NV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwOTk3NTk2MQ@@._V1_.jpg

lil kim

15mag-megantheestallion-03-mediumSquareAt3X-v3.jpg

meg

foxy-brown1.jpg

foxy brown




those were the only dark skinned "xes symbols" i can think of in the music industry.
and what do they all have in common? Rapping about WAPS and oversexualizing themselves, constantly throwing the ass back. If you're not doing that, and you're their complexion, then....

Mary is a singer, not a rapper.

Her material has never been xesually graphic like Lil Kim's or Meg's.

I don't know what the measurement for dark-skinned is, but she's the same complexion as Queen Latifah, and I consider them medium brown.

Megastars-Queen-Latifah-and-Mary-J.-Blige-Ease-on-Down-the-Road-In-NBC’s-‘The-Wiz-Live’ (1).jpg
 

Zwinda

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Mary is a very conservative woman as far as her sexuality is concerned. There’s nothing seductive or alluring about her image. It seems deliberate though. Mary always carried herself like she was “one of the boys”. She’d rather be seen as a street smart tough chick from Brooklyn. It’s part of the reason why people respected her so much. She could’ve easily gone that route if she wanted to. She was always naturally attractive with a womanly figure.
 
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Feitan

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She gives auntie vibes.


She’s more woman “sexy”, not man “sexy”.

She also doesn’t have a very xesual image, which is good tbh. Never posed for playboy, doesn’t seem all tooprovocative like lil Kim or Meg the Horse.
I was about to say that. Mary has a nice body but she’s doesn’t ooze xes appeal.
 

suzanne

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I actually think this has saved her career. Contrary to what some may say, MJB has staying power because she didn't slut herself. When you oversexualize yourself, you're putting yourself out there to have an expiration date for the next "ho" to come and take your spot. xes kittens always get replaced by fresher kitties. It's par for the course whether you are a singer or actor. This is why talent will always be king for a queen!

She gives auntie vibes.


She’s more woman “sexy”, not man “sexy”.

She also doesn’t have a very xesual image, which is good tbh. Never posed for playboy, doesn’t seem all tooprovocative like lil Kim or Meg the Horse.
 

Feitan

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Mary is a singer, not a rapper.

Her material has never been xesually graphic like Lil Kim's or Meg's.

I don't know what the measurement for dark-skinned is, but she's the same complexion as Queen Latifah, and I consider them medium brown.

View attachment 2162429
Exactly. Mary was a hip hop-soul singer not a rapper. Rapping is a side job to her.
 

XAlleyCat06X

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She never had to oversexualize to sell music and that's a good thing. I wish we had more black women in music who didn't need to do that. But then again, it sells
 

Feitan

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I actually think this has saved her career. Contrary to what some may say, MJB has staying power because she didn't slut herself. When you oversexualize yourself, you're putting yourself out there to have an expiration date for the next "ho" to come and take your spot. xes kittens always get replaced by fresher kitties. It's par for the course whether you are a singer or actor. This is why talent will always be king for a queen!
Agreed, When you’re not sexualized, it means your career won’t be ruined by the 30 year old limit.
 

LaVieBoheme

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For the record (y'all finna groan, but whatevs), I also don't think Mariah Carey is naturally sexy.

She tries to be, but it just comes across as a woman play acting like she's sexy.

Alicia Keys wasn't pushed as a xes symbol, either.

I doubt skin color has anything to do with xes appeal.

Some folks have it, and some folks don't.
 

Nukween

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She don't make that type of music, doesn't dance, wear outfits etc. Also the tattoos and the smoking cigarettes
 

mdmommy99

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Mary is an attractive woman but her image was always that hood girl next door and she became famous during a time in r&b where you didn't necessarily have to be a xes kitten to become famous. Mary doesnt even have songs that are very xesual in nature. Monica is younger but I put her in the same category. They both probably could have played up the sexy side, but it wasn't necessary and likely would have hurt their longevity.
 

LaGrandeDame

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What does being a "xes symbol" matter when you solidified your legend status in stone with your first two albums at an age when many of us were still in or just graduated from college?

After all, no made-up titles are needed for the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul since she was crowned for the world to see from Day One.

Oh and, LSA, your invites for her 50th birthday extravaganza are already in the mail.
mary.gif
 

GREMLINtwin

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What does being a "xes symbol" matter when you solidified your legend status in stone with your first two albums at an age when many of us were still in or just graduated from college?

After all, no made-up titles are needed for the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul since she was crowned for the world to see from Day One.

Oh and, LSA, your invites for her 50th birthday extravaganza are already in the mail.
mary.gif


I didnt ask about her music, i was specific
 

Prettier

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The way she was marketed.

It reminds me of the Toni Braxton movie where Babyface ask her what she wants for her image. Toni said, “sexy diva.” Babyface and LA laughed and said “no, you sell pain not xes.”
 

Pwussycat

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Yall want any and everybody to be considered sexy and it's getting out of hand.

Sexy won't even be sexy anymore.
 

GREMLINtwin

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For the record (y'all finna groan, but whatevs), I also don't think Mariah Carey is naturally sexy.

She tries to be, but it just comes across as a woman play acting like she's sexy.

Alicia Keys wasn't pushed as a xes symbol, either.

I doubt skin color has anything to do with xes appeal.

Some folks have it, and some folks don't.
MC and Akeys arent facially attractive
 
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GREMLINtwin

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OP is a Brandy stan. lol

I couldn't imagine stanning an artist that hasn't gone platinum since Ashanti was in her prime 18 years ago. Shameful.

I never said I was a brandy stan, I said brandy can singe better than mjb and simply asked a question as to why mjb is not sexy
 

LaVieBoheme

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MC and Akeys are facially attractive

So is Mary, but none of them are xes symbols.

I honestly don't even know why OP would wish for Mary or any of these women to be xes symbols.

They are stars and divas in their own right and deserve their accolades without having to be "sexy" on top of everything else.
 

GREMLINtwin

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So is Mary, but none of them are xes symbols.

I honestly don't even know why OP would wish for Mary or any of these women to be xes symbols.

They are stars and divas in their own right and deserve their accolades without having to be "sexy" on top of everything else.

I mean arent. They were never facially attractive
 

Swan

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She just wasn't ever marketed as a xes symbol, round' the way flygirl and Queen of hip-hop soul was her brand.
 

lovefash67

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why.....why why why...
it was several things.
her image wasn't trashy + she is dark skinned + in a colorist music industry.

The rule is that if you're a dark skinned black woman in hip hop, you don't get to be considered a 'xes symbol' unless you wear skimpy clothes and talk nonstop about your WAP.

Refer to:
MV5BNTY2NDA5ODE1NV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwOTk3NTk2MQ@@._V1_.jpg

lil kim

15mag-megantheestallion-03-mediumSquareAt3X-v3.jpg

meg

foxy-brown1.jpg

foxy brown




those were the only dark skinned "xes symbols" i can think of in the music industry.
and what do they all have in common? Rapping about WAPS and oversexualizing themselves, constantly throwing the ass back. If you're not doing that, and you're their complexion, then....
I actually feel like your on to something and I agree. She also doesn’t bring any xes appeal like you stated she doesn’t wear skimpy clothes and her overall brand is not xes
 

NewAgenda

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She’s always been everyone’s favorite auntie but she is beautiful. She was all about being a scorned woman. TLC and Aaliyah weren’t overtly sexy either, but they made sexy music which helped them become xes symbols. I don’t think I have 1 Mary J. song on my sexy time playlist but that’s okay. She’s on my fµck that ninja playlist tho.
 

Icon J Blige

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She’s always been everyone’s favorite auntie but she is beautiful. She was all about being a scorned woman. TLC and Aaliyah weren’t overtly sexy either, but they made sexy music which helped them become xes symbols. I don’t think I have 1 Mary J. song on my sexy time playlist but that’s okay. She’s on my fµck that ninja playlist tho.

Yasssss, boo!
 

CousinXtina

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auntie mary never carried herself like one which is absolutely fine. not everyone needs to be looked at as a xes symbol.
 

Dogtown

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She always was sexy. I used to do things to my 13 year old self when the U Remind Me remix and Reminisce videos would come on.

I think to an extent she might not have felt comfortable doing that though, because I think she had self image issues. She's talked before about feeling insecure about her looks when she was young (colorism/hair stuff).
 

Betty1994

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She gives auntie vibes.


She’s more woman “sexy”, not man “sexy”.

She also doesn’t have a very xesual image, which is good tbh. Never posed for playboy, doesn’t seem all tooprovocative like lil Kim or Meg the Horse.
Exactly, Mary j never wanted to be a xes symbol, she carved her lane.
 

Lovesexyparade

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She wasn’t an “auntie” - weird, as if aunts can’t be sexy, anyway, she came out as an around the way chick singing her soul out to R&B/hip hop beats. She dressed like a young woman and acted like a young woman of the 90s/2000s. She didn’t wear frocks or anything, she wore sexy clothes like everyone else. I think it was just her vibe that was more on some “broken hearted hood chick/hard knocks” type vibe. Not really sexy in and of itself, but she was always pretty and fly.
 

.godiva.

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Common thought she was sexy (all while being on some creep sh!t)...

“eyes on the thighs of Mary J. Blige/imagining how good the cat must be” - Common on “Nag Champa”
 

Everclear

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I think she's known more for her music than for her body if that makes sense. She was marketed in a way that wasn't overtly xesual, which I'm actually grateful for.
 
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Mary is a beautiful woman. She’s just got a hard exterior and rugged personality...especially back in the day when she first came out. She’s calmed down tremendously since then.

Her poor styling over the years take away from her beauty too.
 

Breeahnaa

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MJB came up career wise (90s) when there where so many other beautiful black singers she just didn't stand out. That plus the Bad Boy/Puffs camp was filled with models and gorgeous women constantly.

Puff also intentionally marketed her as a tomboy with a voice. By the time she came out of that she was old (by industry standards) and a new group of young hot girls had emerged.

She is very beautiful and I like her dancing lol. I'm loving her on Power too.
 

Redd_Blitz

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*Smh/Lol* I don't know which eras some of you were either born into, or came in on the tail end of, but if my memory serves me correct, around the way girls, like Mary, were every bit loved and celebrated by many dudes, especially the fellas from the hood, or who just love women like Mary. When she dropped the videos "Real Love" and "Reminisce," dudes would go ape over her bod, especially ass. Hell, even the late Biggie Smalls gave ode to then would be future QUEEN OF HIP HOP SOUL.
 

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