Mary J. Blige Assures Fans They’re ‘Not Alone’ in Life’s Struggles: ‘Everyone Has Something’ (Exclusive).Linh

Blige spoke to PEOPLE at the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 19 in Cleveland

Seconds after performing a sweat-producing medley of favorites from her decades-spanning body of work (“My Life,” “Love No Limit,” “Be Happy,” and “Family Affair”), the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul poured her heart and some tears into her speech at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland on Saturday, Oct. 19.

“If you’re a fan of Mary J. Blige, you know that I needed God,” she told fans from the stage. “I needed something other than men.”

After wrapping a photo shoot backstage, Blige spoke with PEOPLE about her new single, “You Ain’t the Only One,” out now, and more.

“I listen to a lot of stories that my fans talk to me about. I’ve been through a lot, but sometimes you listen to other people’s stories, and you say, ‘Wow, I’m just complaining’ because their stories is worse than yours,” Blige says about the first single off her upcoming album, Gratitude.

Through teary eyes, the Grammy winner explains how listening to challenging stories from fans over the years has given her perspective on challenges of her own.

“Everyone has something that they’re dealing with and that they’re suffering through,” Blige says. “The single is basically saying, ‘You’re not alone. You’re not the only one out here dealing with life. Life is not life-ing for you only.”

Following the induction, the “Just Fine” singer hopes fans visiting her Rock & Roll Hall of Fame exhibit will walk away knowing more about her pre-stardom beginnings.

“The jersey [in the exhibit] represents how I came into game,” she says. “I came into the game with knee pads on, jerseys, leggings, hat turned backwards. It just shows the history of how I’ve been and who I am right now.”

After profusely thanking God in her acceptance speech, Blige also shared her gratitude for longtime collaborators Dr. Dre and Wu-Tang Clan‘s Method Man, who inducted her into the Rock Hall.

“Y’all have always been there for me from music to television,” she said of the rappers. “I love y’all and appreciate you so much. These guys are here with me today, and they’re my friends.”

Method Man and Blige collaborated in 1995 on “I’ll Be There for You/You’re All I Need to Get By.”