This past weekend (May 12 & 13), Atlanta, Georgia was the place to be! The State Farm Arena hosted two consecutive nights of Black music excellence with Mary J. Blige’s The Strength of a Woman Festival in town. After the first night was highlighted by a special performance by the Queen herself and a celebration honoring Hip Hop’s 50th Anniversary (with performances by Jeezy, Method Man and so many more), the second night was just as memorable. The highly anticipated R&B featured Coco Jones, Muni Long, Lucky Daye, Summer Walker and the legendary Ms. Lauryn Hill. Presented by Mary J. Blige and Pepsi, in partnership with Live Nation Urban, the event was attended by true R&B enthusiast of all ages, excited by the outstanding performances and high-energy musical experiences.
The multi-talented singer and actress Coco Jones stunned the crowd with her soulful voice moving many to their feet and capturing the audience with a heart-warming performance of “ICU,” turning the night into another unforgettable audio and visual experience for all attendees.
Muni Long was praised for her incredible vocal range as she sang “Hrs &Hrs” and covers of Atlanta favorites “Lovers and Friends” and “U Got It Bad.”
Lucky Daye, the Grammy-winning singer, graced the stage next, serenading the audience and seducing a lucky fan with his smooth vocals, sultry beats and sensual choreography as he performed “Love You Too Much,” “Guess” and “Late Night.” Summer Walker, who has taken the R&B world by storm, had the crowd swaying to her emotional ballads such as “Playing Games,” “Session 32” and “Insane.”
Lauryn Hill, of the Fugees fame, closed out the night with her classic hits “Doo Wop (That Thing)” and “Killing Me Softly” that kept the crowd in the building well into the night. Known for her soulful voice and empowering lyrics,
Ms. Lauryn Hill stole the show with her emotionally charged and memorable music.
Coco Jones, Muni Long, Lucky Daye, Summer Walker, and Lauryn Hill are all groundbreaking performers that have managed to carve a niche for themselves in the music industry. Their music is a testament to the enduring strength of women, and each artist delivered a unique and powerful performance that resonated with the audience. The Strength of a Woman Festival concerts showcased the top talents in music, uplifted women and celebrated their resilience and enormous impact on the music industry and society.
Check out some photos from both action-packed night below!