Mary J. Blige: The '00s

Mary J. Blige took a breather from heart-wrenching tearjerkers to celebrate a lush, new peace in the '00s: On the restorative “Family Affair” the queen of hip-hop soul leads a dance-floor catharsis over a Dr. Dre beat, and the runaway hit “Be Without You” is a piano-tinkling wash of R&B elegance. Even her troubles empower—“Not Today” kicks a fool to the curb without a second thought.