Baltimore, MD--

You might have to sit through an entire month of "Oprah" to match all the celebrity soul-baring moments, motivational self-help sermons and empowering pep talks Mary J. Blige crammed into her bravura concert Wednesday night at The 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore, Maryland.

Oh, and let's not forget a cavalcade of R&B hits, delivered with absolute conviction. Sporting a fedora instead of a crown, the reigning Queen of Hip-Hop Soul made a regal entrance, rising above the stage aboard a small platform, her back to the sold out crowd. She then turned to reveal a beaming smile, basking in the applause for a moment before fireworks exploded and the show commenced to the tune of "MJB da MVP."

Alongside "Real Love," "I'm Going Down," "No More Drama" and other smashes spanning her 15-year career, Blige showcased material from her latest album, "The Breakthrough," which chronicles a triumphant new chapter in her life. No longer a diva in distress, she seems to have put years of drinking, drug abuse and doomed relationships behind her.

Blige, 35, spoke and sang about finding not only true love she married record-company executive Kendu Isaacs in 2003 but a fresh respect for herself.” If I can't accept me for who I am, who will?" Blige said before launching into an over-the-top "Take Me As I Am."

"This is me!" she sang a few moments later, pointing proudly at herself, a reborn superstar at the peak of her powers. She was accompanied by a tight five-piece band and three backing singers who often carried the melodies while Blige vamped, her mighty voice spiraling as it soared. At times, she closed her eyes, leaned back and pointed to the heavens, a markswoman indicating which impossible note she was going to blast out of the sky next.

Blige performed the emotional ballad "Alone" as a duet with Dave Young, an up-and-coming crooner signed to Bilge’s Matriarch record label. Sparks flew between the two singers, shades of Tami Terrell and Marvin Gaye.

Another new song, "I Found My Everything," also had a decidedly old-school flavor. Nearly two hours and several costume changes (including an eat-your-heart-out-Elvis gold suit) after Blige first took the stage, she capped the gig with a two-song encore. A fun stab at the remix version of the Busta Rhymes hit "Touch It" featured Bilge’s rapping alter ego, Brook-Lyn, while confetti rained down during the "Family Affair" finale.

When things get too comfy, some artists lose their edge. Fortunately, this was anything but the case with Blige. Her new lease on happiness didn't stop her from belting out "Enough Cryin," "Good Woman Down," "Father in You" and other tales of a streetwise survivor with evangelical fervor.

This was the gospel according to MJB and the message was: You, too, can be blissfully ghetto fabulous!