R&B veteran, Mary J. Blige, has had a tough road lately. On the heels of BK-fried-chicken-gate, she’s now catching heat in Kentucky – but not for something she HAS done … it’s for something she MIGHT do. It seems the good ol’ horse lovers in the Bluegrass State are up in arms about just how Mary J. might render “their” National Anthem to kick off the 138th Kentucky Derby, as previously reported. Most of the rabid individuals that typical attend the annual internationally-renowned event, held in Louisville, KY, likely don’t have a clue as to what a “Mary J. Blige” even is, but somehow they got wind that the 9-time Grammy winning singer may deliver the anthem in her jazzy, R&B fashion. That prospect has sparked a furor around the city, because they feel the sacred song shouldn’t be disrespected that way. A concerned Louisvillian called into the city’s local news station, WHAS, and left the following message on its Rant line: “Is somebody going to ensure that Mary J. Blige performs the National Anthem at the Kentucky Derby the way it is ‘supposed’ to be sung? I think all performers should be instructed to sing the anthem as it was originally recorded and not add their own flair to our National Anthem. I have nothing against Mary J. Blige, but I prefer our National Anthem ‘original.’” A Mary J. supporter called in and countered with: “For those that want the anthem sung in a so called ‘good way’ for America, come on. Let Mary J sing the song and sing it with all her heart.” Of course, racial identities weren’t assigned to either comment, but if we were betting … To be fair, she was heavily criticized by the black blogosphere at large for her version of the
“Star Spangled Banner” at the 2012 NBA All-Star Game.
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