Global superstar and New York native Mary J Blige has paved the way for a new generation of contemporary R&B artists, helping to redefine the genre of the decade. The singer-songwriter, actress and philanthropist has made an incredible journey over the course of her career. Blige has released thirteen studio albums that have received multi-platinum awards, sold over 50 million records, won nine Grammy awards, and has even performed for the President of France. Her top-rated singles include No 1 hits such as, “Real Love”, “Love No Limit”, and “Be Happy”.
At only 18 years old, Mary J Blige signed with Uptown Records in 1991, becoming their first and youngest female artist. Merging soul and hip-hop, Blige released her debut album, What’s The 411?, the following year. Blige’s underground talent came to light and astonished fans and critics from around the world. Taking the stage by storm, the Gladys Knight and Aretha Franklin-influenced R&B queen continued her reign with her second studio album My Life in 1994. The more personal and soul-driven, stellar produced album went on to earn the Soul Train Music Award for Best Female R&B/Soul Album, producing four singles including, “Be Happy”, which peaked on Billboard’s The Hot 100 for 20 weeks.
The queen of R&B and soul went on to release eleven studio albums, which have earned her Grammy Awards, Billboard Music Awards, BET Awards, and even ASCAP’s Voice of Music Award in 2007. Alongside her staggering musical career, Blige has garnered a multitude of cinematic awards for numerous films and television shows in which she has acted or contributed to motion picture soundtracks, including a Critic’s Choice Award, and several Academy Award nominations. She appears in “Rock of Ages”, “How to Get Away with Murder” and “The Umbrella Academy”. While working on her acting and singing career, Blige has contributed to philanthropic causes, supporting Haiti Relief and the American Red Cross, before establishing the Mary J. Blige Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now, a foundation that provides women with skills and confidence in their education and career fields.
