We Speak Entertainment
Mary J. Blige Receives Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame On Her Birthday
Written By | Isha Thorpe
Without a doubt, Mary J. Blige is having one of the best birthdays of her life today (Jan. 11)!
The Queen of Hip Hop Soul just turned 47 years old — though she doesn’t look a day pass 35 — and she’s has been awarded with her very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Needless to say, millions of Blige’s fans couldn’t be anymore proud of her.
The past year was an extremely difficult one for the recording artist. She separated from her estranged husband and their public divorce just gets messier by the day. So, Blige has used her latest album, Strength Of A Woman, as a way to deal with the drama and continue to keep her head held high. “You found out you [weren’t] what this person wanted all these years and that somebody was better. That’s very hard,” Blige said during her iHeartRadio album release party in 2017.
“It’s a release. If I didn’t share it with you, I would probably be dead somewhere…I know that I have a mission. I have something that started in 1994 when I put out the My Life album…I’ve had these fans since then. And when we’re in these concerts, and these shows and interviews; we heal together.”
We love to see Blige continuing to shine. That’s why we couldn’t stop smiling when she got her star after being one of the top recording artists in music for over 20 years. This was long overdue! Her good friend Diddy, who’s been credited for giving Blige her “Gangsta Hip Hop” swag when she first popped up on the scene did the honor of presenting the star to her.
Puff, being the amazing friend he is, gave Blige some blinged-out gifts at her pre-birthday dinner last night (Jan. 10), as well. See some posts about that celebration below.

Puff gave Mary a beautiful diamond scarf for her birthday at mr chow tonight .. And tomorrow puff and I have the honor of presenting Mary with her star on the hollywood walk of fame . happy birthday to my musical daughter the Queen of hip hop soul Mary J Blige ! UPTOWN RECORDS FOREVER
Congrats, Mary! You did that!
We Speak Entertainment
“To Love Is To Perform”: Jada Di’Larosa’s Poetic Meditation on Love, Identity, and Solitude
On April 17, 2026, independent artist Jada Di’Larosa introduces a deeply evocative new chapter in her creative journey with the release of To Love Is To Perform. Emerging from the rich cultural undercurrent of New Orleans, Di’Larosa delivers a project that feels intimate, cinematic, and emotionally unguarded—an album that quietly lingers long after the final note fades.
Blending elements of alternative, indie, and nu-jazz, the record is less about traditional structure and more about atmosphere and emotional storytelling. It unfolds like a series of late-night reflections—soft, immersive, and deeply personal. Each track carries a sense of stillness, where restraint becomes a powerful artistic choice, allowing listeners to fully absorb the subtle complexities within her sound.
Between the Spotlight and the Shadows
Jada Di’Larosa’s artistry is shaped by a compelling dual existence. As a professional dancer and showgirl, her nights are filled with performance, light, and spectacle. Yet beyond the stage, she retreats into solitude—writing music that mirrors her introspective nature. This contrast is the emotional backbone of To Love Is To Perform, where themes of identity, vulnerability, and perception are explored with striking honesty.
Rather than presenting a polished, conventional album, Di’Larosa embraces imperfection. The project carries the raw essence of demos—unfiltered, organic, and alive. In her own words, it is “a diary” of her experiences, offering a glimpse into a world that is both quietly glamorous and deeply introspective. That authenticity gives the album its emotional weight, transforming it into something profoundly human.
Sound as Atmosphere, Silence as Language
Musically, the album is guided by minimalism and mood. Piano and violin arrangements intertwine with her haunting vocal delivery, creating a soundscape that feels almost suspended in time. Di’Larosa’s voice is uniquely her own—delicate yet assured, drifting through each composition with a poetic cadence that enhances the storytelling.
Tracks such as “showgirl” and “movie star” reflect the tension between persona and reality, while “bayou st. john” grounds the album in a sense of place and memory. The title track, “to love is to perform,” offers a philosophical lens on relationships, suggesting that love itself can be an act shaped by roles and expectations. Meanwhile, “costume” emerges as a defining moment—an exploration of identity, illusion, and the masks we wear.
Tracklist
- showgirl
- movie star
- bayou st. john
- to love is to perform
- candy
- blackbird
- spinster
- a love noir
- costume
- curtain call
A Quietly Powerful Artistic Statement
What makes To Love Is To Perform so compelling is its refusal to conform. It does not chase trends or demand attention—it invites it. The album thrives in its subtlety, rewarding listeners who are willing to slow down and engage with its emotional depth.
There is a cinematic quality throughout the record, as if each track is a scene from an unseen film—rich with symbolism, mood, and introspection. It’s an experience designed not just to be heard, but to be felt.
Defining Her Own Space
In an industry often driven by visibility and constant output, Jada Di’Larosa stands apart through intentional distance and artistic focus. She allows her work to speak on her behalf, cultivating a sense of mystery that only enhances her presence.
With To Love Is To Perform, she offers more than music—she offers perspective. It is a body of work that explores the delicate balance between who we are and who we present to the world, capturing the beauty and complexity of both.
As the release date approaches, the album positions Di’Larosa as a distinctive voice in contemporary alternative jazz—an artist unafraid to embrace vulnerability, ambiguity, and the quiet power of self-expression.
Connect with Jada Di’Larosa
Official Website: www.jadadilarosa.com
Instagram: @jada.dilarosa
Available on Spotify, Bandcamp, SoundCloud, and YouTube
For inquiries: jadadilarosa@yahoo.com
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