Yonkers' Mary J. Blige gets the crowd on its feet at DNC

Friday September 7, 2012 11:18 AM By Jillian Sederholm

Photo credit: Getty | Mary J. Blige walks on stage on the final day of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena on Sept. 6, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C.. The DNC, which concludes today, nominated U.S. President Barack Obama as the Democratic presidential candidate. (Sept. 6, 2012)

"Let's make this into a family affair and get it crunk for President Obama," Yonkers native Mary J. Blige announced to the crowd at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday evening.

The R&B star took the stage at the packed Time Warner Arena in a metallic mini-dress and lots of bling, including a diamond-encrusted cross around her neck.

"I'm so thankfull that the message has been that we're all in this together 'cause it's real and that makes us all one, one, as my friend Bono has said," Blige announced before launching into "One" by Bono's band U2.

Blige, who performed at Obama's 2009 inauguration, then kicked the energy up with her hit 2001 single "Family Affair."

During Blige's performance, the Twittersphere reacted to her use of the word "crunk" (both in her speech and song) at the political event. Some argued the word refers to a combination of being stoned and drunk, while others maintained it refers to a style of hip-hop music. But the dancing DNC crowd didn't seem to care what it meant as they heeded Blige's musical warning against bringing drama to the dance floor.

James Taylor, Foo Fighters and Marc Anthony also sang for the crowd on the convention's final night. Other performers, including Earth, Wind and Fire, were bumped after a storm threat forced a change to a smaller indoor venue.

Tags: Yonkers , Mary J. Blige , Obama , DNC , music