Main stage headliners Mary J. Blige and Drake concluded the 2010 Bumbershoot Music and Arts Festival on Labor Day, attracting a large and excited audience despite the damp and drizzly weather in Seattle.

Rapper J. Cole set the tone for Drake’s performance; a young and diverse crowd waited patiently between the sets, pushing to get closer to the front, and erupted the second that Drake appeared on stage.  Drake’s set spanned the breadth of his hits from his third mixtape, ‘So Far Gone’ and first album, ‘Thank Me Later’.  With an incredible live band behind him, Drake kept the crowd amped as he covered the entire stage shouting the lyrics to tracks like “I’m Goin In,” during which he made the crowd cover Lil Wayne’s part.  But he also made time to slow things down and sing a little bit, perhaps to appeal to the ladies.  Drake represented for his label Young Money to the fullest at Bumbershoot, ending with the following three statements: “Young Money, Free Weezy, and I love you Seattle.”

Hip-hop and R&B veteran Mary J. Blige took the stage after Drake and brought the concert home.  With an album list as long as hers, Mary J. had no problems keeping the crowd moving.  Every song she performed was a hit in its day.  The audience was proof of the longevity and influence of her career.  People of all ages stood in front of the stage and filled the stands, most of whom danced, and many of whom knew all of the words to every song.  Mary kept the set fun and relaxed, breaking for an impromptu dance performance between songs and encouraging the crowd to sing along.  Overall, both Drake and Mary J. were obviously the biggest hits with the ladies though.  Girls couldn’t stop shouting for Drake and competed for his attention when he decided to pick someone to bring on stage.  Mary J. captured the hearts of her female fans with her ballads that boast lyrics meant to empower all women.  Their performances were a satisfying end to a weekend of great music.  What do you think?