The Heart of the City, the potent rap/R&B joint tour with Mary J. Blige and Jay-Z, stopped at 1st Mariner Arena last night. The nearly three-hour show was packed with musical thrills. Both artists delivered mostly engaging sets, breezing through their greatest hits, which span more than a decade. 

Blige and Jay-Z, icons in the hip-hop community, brought some grown-up class to the youth-obsessed genre. They were backed by a titanic band, which included a 12-piece horn-and-string section. The musicians were dressed in white shirts, dark vests and ties. Chandeliers hung above the sparkly set. Nice touch.

Although Blige wasn't very interactive with the full house, she was definitely spirited. At times, though, she was overwrought. Jay-Z was his usual ultra-cool self, rapping in that nonchalant style that made him a superstar. But he was still charismatic, never aloof. He smiled more than Blige, who seemed to exhibit more swagger than Jay-Z when the two shared the stage.  

Above: Associated Press photo of Jay-Z and Mary J. Blige from Saturday's concert in Miami