Blige caps 2006 with ‘best-of’ album
From Nekesa Moody

NEW YORK—When it came time to pick the songs that would be on her first greatest hits collection, Mary J. Blige had a lot of contenders. After all, the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul has reigned supreme for more than a decade.
But in the end, she decided to include more of the songs that were life-changers instead of party-starters or club-bangers. “I know the songs that stand out to people,” Blige said of the songs on “Reflections (A Retrospective),” released Tuesday by Geffen Records.
“Records like `Not Gon’ Cry’ have helped women all over the world to say, `I’m not going to put up with this anymore.’ ... These are the records that have helped people.” Giving her fans an inspirational message has been Blige’s mantra for years, especially after she kicked a substance abuse habit and dealt with her own negative self-image.
That approach worked with dazzling results on “The Breakthrough,” which is nominated for eight Grammy Awards, including record and song of the year for “Be Without You.” Blige, 35, said the multiplatinum success of “The Breakthrough” has given her new opportunities. She’s reading more movie scripts and is taping an episode of CBS’ “The Ghost Whisper.”
But Blige said it has proven what she already knew — that her songs reach more than just black women. “What I believe God has done is show that she is not just an urban artist,” Blige said of herself in a recent interview. “She’s more than just what you think.”
Now, with the success of “The Breakthrough,” she is able to put her career in perspective. “It means a lot right now because it’s not like I’m coming off a terrible career or going away,” she said.