Mary J. Blige celebrates birthday with star-studded bash in New York

Jet, Feb 16, 2004

The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul has gotten a year older, and she's definitely better!

A glowing Mary J. Blige, wearing an elegant white pantsuit, celebrated her 33rd birthday at Butter restaurant in New York City.

The sold singer, now drug-and alcohol-free, couldn't be at a better place in her life. Late last year she married music-industry executive Kendu Isaacs, her longtime boyfriend, during a private ceremony at her New Jersey home (JET, Jan. 5). Kendu was by her side at the gala, along with a host of other close family members and friends, including: hip-hop music mogul/humanitarian Russell Simmons, former Arista Records president Antonio "L.A." Reid, actor-comedian John Leguizamo, Kim Cattrall of HBO's "Sex in the City" and designer Diane Von Furstenberg.

The hip-hop diva most recently performed the song Not Today, which features rap star-actress Eve. The tune is on the Barbershop 2: Back in Business soundtrack.