Return of the 90s divas: Why Mary J. Blige and Gwen Stefani, back with new albums, still deserve Real Love no doubt!

From Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish to Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan and Charli XCX, 2024 has been the year of the diva.And two of the biggest female pop stars of the ’90s — Mary J.Blige and Gwen Stefani — are still keeping it relevant three decades after they first rocked the music world.Blige, 53, and Stefani, 55, are at the age when even the most indomitable divas — from Madonna and Janet Jackson to Jennifer Lopez — are in decline from their chart-topping heights and creative peaks.

But, even if they never feel the “Real Love” that they once did, both are back with new albums released Friday — Blige’s “Gratitude” and Stefani’s “Bouquet” — that show they are not ready to rest on their legendary laurels just yet.Both made their debuts in 1992: Blige as the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul with “What’s the 411?” and Stefani as the ska-punk princess of No Doubt’s self-titled set.And many hit singles, albums and tours later, both have reached major milestones: Blige is marking the 30th anniversary of her 1994 masterpiece “My Life,” while Stefani is celebrating 20 years of her 2004 solo debut “Love.Angel.Music.Baby.”Blige is also taking a well-deserved victory lap after her Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction last month.But while this might have been the time to just cruise on the classics that got her into music’s most exclusive club, the “Family Affair” singer is still staying fresh in the game.And why not? Blige’s last LP, 2022’s “Good Morning Gorgeous,” was a surprise Album of the Year Grammy nominee in 2023.Better than we had any right to expect, “Gratitude” is a solid follow-up by an artist who has consistently come through — even when she doesn’t owe us anything anymore.All the glory aside, there’s still plenty of heart and hunger in Blige that you can feel on this thank-you to the fans who have been riding with her from day one.Staying true to her roots, Blige — not ready to settle i...