Entertainment Music Mary J. Blige Reacts to Flavor Flav Comparing Her Writing Style to Taylor Swift: 'It's Kind of Similar' (Exclusive) The Public Enemy icon likened the two musicians' artistries in a January interview, saying Swift writes about real-life experiences like the R&B icon By Jack Irvin Jack Irvin Jack Irvin has over five years of experience working in digital journalism, and he’s worked at PEOPLE since 2022. Jack started in the industry with internships at Rolling Stone and Entertainment Tonight, and he worked as a freelance writer for publications including Bustle, MTV News, Shondaland, L’Officiel USA, Ladygunn, Flood and PopCrush before joining PEOPLE. In his current role, Jack covers daily music news and has interviewed both up-and-coming and established artists including Dolly Parton, Michelle Branch, Ashanti, Cyndi Lauper, Normani, Carly Rae Jepsen and Coco Jones. People Editorial Guidelines Published on April 18, 2024 09:30AM EDT Close Mary J. Blige; Taylor Swift; Flavor Flav. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty; John Shearer/Getty Images for TAS; Kayla Oaddams/FilmMagic Mary J. Blige understands why Flavor Flav compared her writing style to Taylor Swift. The Public Enemy icon likened the two musicians' artistries in a January interview with HOT 97, saying they both write about relatable real-life experiences — and Blige feels the comparison is apt. "I mean, I love Taylor Swift. She sings about what's going on in her life," the R&B icon, 53, tells PEOPLE. "It's kind of similar because she definitely gives you a piece of a relationship in a minute and whatever she may be dealing with. And that's just her therapy. That's just her way of expressing herself through her song, and people relate." Taylor Swift and Mary J. Blige perform together in Los Angeles in August 2015. Christopher Polk/Getty Flavor Flav Reveals His Favorite Taylor Swift Song and Compares Her Writing Style to Mary J. Blige "It's definitely kind of the same thing," adds Blige, who performed alongside Swift in 2015 as a special guest on her 1989 World Tour. "I use my music as my therapy and a way to escape, or a way to express myself and just say how I'm feeling. What else are we going to do?" Flav, 64, has been quite the vocal Swiftie since attending the Detroit stop of her Eras Tour last year, and he spoke about why his appreciation for the "Karma" musician's songwriting runs deep in an interview with HOT 97’s Ebro in the Morning earlier this year. "She’s writing a lot about her, you know, experiences that she goes through in life. Just like Mary J. Blige — you know what I’m saying?" said the Flavor of Love star in January. Taylor Swift and Flavor Flav in Los Angeles in March 2023. Kevin Mazur/Getty He added at the time, "Mary writes about her experiences that she goes through in life, then when she gets up there on that stage, and she sings those songs, mostly every single woman in that audience relates to Mary." Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Blige is currently gearing up for the third iteration of her annual Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit, which takes place at various venues around New York City from May 10-12. The three-day event will feature performances from the "Family Affair" singer as well as Jill Scott, Fat Joe, 50 Cent and Tiffany Haddish, among other stars. Mary J. Blige. Cindy Ord/Getty Mary J. Blige Wants to Show Women They Can 'Thrive' as She Brings Empowering Music Festival to N.Y.C. (Exclusive) Following two years in Atlanta, she's excited to take the festival to her hometown of the Big Apple. "It means so much to bring it home because this is where I wanted it to be originally, but we ended up in Atlanta for two years, and it was successful," she told PEOPLE. "I love Atlanta. Atlanta's home too, but it just feels amazing to have it at home where I was born and raised. All my family and friends are here, and it feels amazing," added Blige.