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• • • Website Mary Jane Blige (; born January 11, 1971) is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, model, record producer, and actress. Starting her career as a on in 1989, Blige released her first album,, in 1992. She has released 13 studio albums, eight of which have been certified multi-platinum. Blige is known as the Queen of Hip Hop Soul, and has won 9 Grammy Awards from her 31 nominations.

Is among Rolling Stone's, and Time's. She received a Legends Award at the, and the Voice of Music Award from performance rights organization. As of 2013, Blige has sold 75 million records worldwide. Ranked Blige as the most successful female R&B/Hip-Hop artist of the past 25 years.

In 2017, magazine also lists her 2006 song ' as the most successful R&B/Hip-Hop song of all time, as it spent an unparalleled 15 weeks atop the chart and over 75 weeks on the chart. In 2011, ranked Blige as the 80th greatest artist of all time. Moreover, she is ranked number 100 on the list of '100 greatest singers of all time' by magazine.

In 2012, VH1 ranked Blige at number 9 in 'The 100 Greatest Women in Music.' Blige starred in the 2009 Tyler Perry box-office hit and appeared in the film (2012).

She received a nomination for her musical contribution to the film. In 2017, she starred in the period-drama film, directed by, for which she received and nominations. In partnership with the and, Blige released her 'My Life' perfume. The perfume broke HSN records by selling 65,000 bottles during its premiere. The scent went on to win two, including the 'Fragrance Sales Breakthrough' award.

Contents • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Life and career [ ] 1971–91: Early life and career beginnings [ ] Blige was born on January 11, 1971, in The Bronx, New York but grew up in Yonkers, She is the second of four children born to mother Cora, a nurse, and second to father Thomas Blige, a jazz musician, The family subsisted on her mother's earnings as a nurse after her father left the family in the mid-1970s, the former an alcoholic and the latter a veteran who suffered from. Blige spent her early years in, where she sang in a church. Blige later moved to Schlobohm Houses in, immediately north of New York City, where she lived with her mother and older sister. Blige dropped out of high school in her junior year. Pursuing a musical career, Blige spent a short period of time in a Yonkers band named Pride with band drummer Eddie D'Aprile.

In early 1988, she recorded an impromptu of 's ' at a recording booth in the Galleria Mall in. Her mother's boyfriend at the time later played the cassette for Jeff Redd, a recording artist and runner for. Redd sent it to the president and of the label,. Harrell met with Blige and in 1989 she was signed to the label as a backing vocalist for artists such as, becoming the company's youngest and first female artist.

1992–96: What's the 411? And My Life [ ] After being signed to, Blige began working with record producer. He became the and produced a majority of the album. The title, What's the 411?, derived from Blige's past occupation as a operator; it was also an indication by Blige of being the 'real deal'.

'What's the 411” nevertheless established Blige as a dynamic storyteller whose performances of love narrative drew upon both her musical influences and her lived experiences as a hip-hop-generation woman. The music was described as 'revelatory on a frequent basis'. Blige was noted for having a 'tough girl persona and streetwise lyrics'. On July 28, 1992, / released, to positive reviews from critics. What's the 411? Peaked at number six on the and topped the chart.

It also peaked at number 53 on the. It was certified three times by the. According to Entertainment Weekly 's Dave DiMartino, with the record's commercial success and Blige's 'powerful, soulful voice and hip-hop attitude', she 'solidly connected with an audience that has never seen a woman do but loves it just the same'. According to, Blige became the most successful new female R&B artist of 1992 in the United States. What's the 411? Earned her two in 1993: Best New R&B Artist and Best R&B Album, Female. It was also voted the year's 30th best album in the —an annual poll of American critics nationwide, published by The Village Voice.

By August 2010, the album had sold 3,318,000 copies in the US. What's the 411? Has since been viewed by critics as one of the 1990s' most important records. Blige's combination of vocals over a hip hop proved influential in. With the album, she was dubbed the reigning ' The album's success spun off, a released in December that was used to extend the life of the What's the 411? Singles on the radio into 1994, as Blige recorded her follow-up album.

With combined sales of over 5 million albums and singles from her debut album, Blige was the best selling female artist on the Uptown label. Following the success of her debut album and a in 1993, Blige went into the recording studio in the winter of 1993 to record her second album, My Life. The album was a breakthrough for Blige, who at this point was in a, battling both drugs and alcohol- as well as being in an abusive relationship with, which was reported in several tabloids. On November 29, 1994, / released Blige's second album,, to positive reviews. The album debuted at number two on the US and number one of the chart for selling 481,000 copies in its first week and remaining atop the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart for an unprecedented eight weeks.

It ultimately spent 46 weeks on the Billboard 200 and 84 weeks on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. In 2002, My Life was ranked number 57 on 's list of the 100 greatest American albums of all time. The following year, placed it at number 279 on their, and in 2006, the record was included in 's 100 greatest albums of all time list. Blige involved herself in several outside projects, recording a cover of 's ' for the soundtrack to the series, and 'Everyday It Rains' (co-written by R&B singer ) for the soundtrack to the hip hop, The Show. Later in the year, she recorded the -penned and produced ', for the soundtrack to the motion picture. The platinum-selling single rose to number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs in early 1996.

Blige gained her first two Grammy nominations, and won the for her collaboration with Method Man. 1997–2000: Share My World and Mary [ ] On April 22, 1997, (parent company to Uptown Records, which was in the process of being dismantled) released Blige's third album,. By then, she and Combs had dissolved their working relationship. In his place were the, who executive-produced the project along with Steve Stoute.

Sharing production duties were producers,, Babyface and. The album was made at a time when Blige was trying to 'get her life together', by trying to overcome drugs and alcohol, as well as the ending of her relationship with Hailey. After an encounter with a person who threatened her life the previous year, she tried to quit the unhealthy lifestyle and make more upbeat, happier music. As a result, songs such as 'Love Is All We Need' and 'Share My World' were made. Share My World debuted at number one on the and spawned five hit singles: 'Love Is All We Need' (featuring ), 'I Can Love You' (featuring ), 'Everything', 'Missing You' (UK only) and 'Seven Days' (featuring ).

The album became Blige's most commercially successful, selling three million copies in the U.S. In February 1997, Blige performed her hit at the time, ', at the, which gained her a third Grammy Award nomination, her first for, as Blige was recording the follow-up to My Life. In early 1998, Blige won an American Music Award for 'Favorite Soul/R&B Album'. That summer, she embarked on the Share My World Tour, which resulted in a Gold-certified released later that year, simply titled.

The album spawned one single, 'Misty Blue'. On August 17, 1999, Blige's fourth album, titled was released. It marked a departure from her more familiar hip hop-oriented sound; this set featured a more earthy, whimsical, and -tinged collection of songs, reminiscent of 1970s to early 1980s soul. She also appeared on with in 1999. On December 14, 1999, the album was re-released as a double-disc set. The second disc was enhanced with the music videos for the singles 'All That I Can Say' and 'Deep Inside' and included two bonus tracks: 'Sincerity' (featuring Nas, Andy Hogan and ) and 'Confrontation' (a collaboration with hip hop duo & Big Kap originally from their 1999 album The Tunnel). The Mary album was critically praised, becoming her most nominated release to date, and was certified double platinum (selling over two million in sales.) It was not as commercially successful as Blige's prior releases, though all of the singles: 'All That I Can Say', 'Deep Inside', 'Your Child', and 'Give Me You' performed considerably on radio.

In the meantime, MCA used the album to expand Blige's demographic into the nightclub market, as club-friendly of the Mary singles were released. The club remix of 'Your Child' peaked at number-one on the chart in October 2000. In 2001, a Japan-only compilation,, was released. The album featured covers of 's 'Overjoyed', and previous recordings of 's ' and 's '.

In 1999, and Mary J. Blige covered the song 'As' written by Stevie Wonder, and worldwide outside of the United States, it was the second single from George Michael's greatest hits album. It became a top ten UK pop hit, reaching number four on the chart. It was not released on the U.S.

Version of the greatest hits collection or as a single in the U.S. Michael cited Blige's record company president for pulling the track in America after Michael's arrest for committing a lewd act 2001–04: No More Drama and Love & Life [ ]. Blige in, Germany 2000 On August 28, 2001, MCA released Blige's fifth studio album,. The album's first single, ' (produced by ) became her first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100, where it remained for six consecutive weeks. It was followed by two further hit singles, the European only single ' featuring with samples from ' by, and the -produced (originally recorded for the Mary album), which sampled ', the -driven theme song to the daytime drama. Though the album sold nearly two million copies in the U.S., MCA was underwhelmed by its sales, and subsequently repackaged and re-released the album on January 29, 2002.

The No More Drama re-release featured a new album cover, deleted three of the songs from the original track listing, while adding two brand-new songs—one of which was the fourth single and top twenty Hot 100 hit ', (featuring ), plus two remixes; one of the title track, serviced by Puff Daddy and the single version of 'Dance for Me' featuring. The album sold another million-plus units (3.2 million in total) in the U.S. And seven million worldwide. Blige won a Grammy for ' for the song 'He Think I Don't Know.' In April 2002, Blige performed with with the song ' on show live in, she also performed ' and ' as a duet with the returning.

On July 22, 2002, MCA released, a collection of club remixes of some of her past top hits including the remix of 'Your Child', and the mix of 'No More Drama.' This album was released in a limited edition double pack 12' vinyl for DJ-friendly play in nightclubs.

On August 26, 2003, Blige's sixth album was released on (which had absorbed MCA Records.) Blige heavily collaborated with her one-time producer Sean Combs for this set. Due to the history between them on What's the 411? And My Life, which is generally regarded as their best work, and Blige having just come off of a successful fifth album, expectations were high for the reunion effort.

Despite the album debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 and becoming Blige's fourth consecutive UK top ten album, Love & Life's lead-off single, the Diddy-produced ', which featured Method Man, barely cracked the top ten on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, while altogether missing the top twenty on the Hot 100 (although peaking inside the UK top twenty). The following singles, ', ' featuring, ' featuring on the international re-release, and ' fared worse. Although the album was certified platinum, it became Blige's lowest-selling to date. Critics and fans alike largely panned the disc, citing a lack of consistency and noticeable ploys to recapture the early Blige/Combs glory. Blige and Combs reportedly struggled and clashed during the making of this album, and again parted ways upon the completion of it. The album became Blige's first album in six years to debut at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 285,298 copies in first week.

Love & Life received mixed reviews from. Gave it 4 stars and said the album 'beamed with joy' and gave it three stars, saying 'You may not always love Blige's music, but you will feel her'. The album was eventually certified by the.

To date the album has sold over 1,000,000 copies in the US and over 2,000,000 copies worldwide. The album was nominated for the at the.

2005–06: The Breakthrough and Reflections – A Retrospective [ ] Geffen Records released Blige's seventh studio album, on December 20, 2005. For the album, Blige collaborated with J.U.S.T.I.C.E.

League, Rodney Jerkins,,,, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis,,, and Dre & Vidal. The cover art was photographed by &. It debuted at number one on both the Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts. Selling 727,000 copies in its first week, it became the biggest first-week sales for an R&B solo female artist in history, the fifth largest first-week sales for a female artist, and the fourth largest debut of 2005. Since its release, The Breakthrough has sold over three million copies in the U.S and over seven million copies worldwide, becoming one of the five best-selling albums of 2006. The lead-off single, ', peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, while peaking at number one on the R&B chart for a record-setting fifteen consecutive weeks; it remained on the chart for over sixteen months.

'Be Without You' found success in the UK (peaking in the lower end of the top forty) it became Blige's longest charting single on the. It is her second longest charting single to date. The album produced three more singles including two more top five R&B hits—', which features Blige's Brook-Lynn (as whom she appeared on the remix to 's ' in 2006); and ' (which 's 'A Garden of Peace'). Blige's duet with on the cover of their 1992 hit, ' gave Blige her biggest hit to date in the UK, peaking at number two on the eventually being certified one of the forty highest-selling singles of 2006; it was her longest charting UK single. The success of The Breakthrough won Blige nine, two American Music Awards, two BET Awards, two NAACP Image Awards, and a Soul Train Award. She received eight Grammy Award nominations at the, the most of any artist that year.

'Be Without You' was nominated for both ' and '. Blige won three: 'Best Female R&B Vocal Performance', ' (both for 'Be Without You'), and ' for The Breakthrough. Blige completed a season sweep of the 'big three' major music awards, having won two in November 2006 and nine in December 2006.

In December 2006, a compilation called was released. It contained many of Blige's greatest hits and four new songs, including the worldwide lead single '. In the UK, however, ' (which appeared in a different, shorter form on The Breakthrough) was released as the lead single from the collection.

The album peaked at number nine in the U.S, selling over 170,000 copies in its first week, while reaching number forty in the UK. It has sold more than 1.6 million copies.

In 2006, Blige recorded a duet with rapper Ludacris, ', which is the third single on his fifth album,. It reached the top five on the Billboard Hot 100 and the R&B chart. Blige was featured with and The Harlem Boys Choir on the soundtrack to the 2006 motion picture, on the lead track 'Never Gonna Break My Faith' written. The song was nominated for a and won the at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards. 2007–08: Growing Pains [ ]. Blige performing in July 2007.

Blige's eighth studio album,, was released on December 18, 2007, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 and at number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It sold 629,000 copies in its first week, marking the third time since Nielsen SoundScan began collecting data in 1991 that two albums sold more than 600,000 copies in a week in the United States. In its second week, the album climbed to number one, making it Blige's fourth number-one album. The lead single, ', peaked at number twenty-two on the Billboard Hot 100 and at number three on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. 'Just Fine' was nominated for the Grammy Award for ', and Blige won ' for the duet 'Disrespectful' (featured on Khan's album ) which Blige wrote. Growing Pains was not released in the UK until February 2008, where it became Blige's fifth top ten and third-highest charting album.

The Breakthrough and Reflections (A Retrospective) were released in the Christmas rush and therefore settled for lower peaks, although both selling more than her top five album Mary. [ ] ' ' returned Blige to the UK singles chart top 20 after her previous two singles failed to chart highly. Subsequent singles from Growing Pains include ', which accompanied Blige in an iTunes commercial, and '. Blige was featured on 's 2007 album,, in the song 'All of Me'. In March 2008, she toured with in the.

They released a song called 'You're Welcome'. In the same period, cable network aired a special on Blige entitled The Evolution of Mary J.

Blige, which showcased her career. Celebrities such as and gave their opinions about Blige and her music.

Blige is featured on singles by, and. Was nominated for and won the for ', at the held on February 8, 2009, earning Blige her 27th Grammy nomination, in a mere decade. Blige went on the, her first tour there in two years. A tour of Australia and New Zealand was scheduled for June but was postponed due to 'weariness from an overwhelming tour schedule' and then eventually canceled entirely. On August 7, 2008, it was revealed Blige faced a US$2 million federal suit claiming Neff-U wrote the music for the song ', but was owned by Dream Family Entertainment.

The filing claimed that Dream Family never gave rights to use the song to Blige, Feemster or Geffen Records. Rights to the lyrics of the song used in an commercial are not in question. 2009–10: Stronger with Each Tear [ ] Blige returned to performing in January 2009 by performing the song ' at the Presidential Inauguration Committee's, '. Blige also performed her hit 2007 single, ', with a new intro at the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball after was sworn in on January 20, 2009. Blige appeared as a marquee performer on the annual television special. Blige performing at Bumbershoot in September 2010. Blige's ninth studio album,, was released on December 21, 2009, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 and at number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, selling 332,000 units in its first week of release.

It became her fifth album not to take the top spot in the United States. The lead single, ', which features Canadian rapper, was released for airplay in June 2009, and was officially and digitally released in July 2009, peaking at number sixty-three on the Hot 100. Blige recorded ', as the lead single from the soundtrack to the basketball documentary ' in August 2009. The second single from Stronger with Each Tear, ', was released in December 2009 and reached number fifty-five on the Hot 100. The third international single from the album, ', was remixed with different featured artists from different countries, then being released in February 2010. The single failed to chart anywhere except in the UK where it reached number one-hundred-eighty-three and in Italy where it reached number one. The album's third U.S.

Single, ' featuring, was released in March 2010 and reached number twenty-five on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart though it failed to reach the Hot 100. One of Blige's representatives reported to magazine that a tour in support of Stronger with Each Tear will begin in the fall of 2010. On March 2010, Blige released Stronger with Each Tear in the, as well as in the European markets. The album performed modestly in the United Kingdom, debuting at number thirty-three on the and at number four on the.

It reached the top 100 in other countries. Blige was honored at the 2009 Honors Ceremony and was paid tribute by and. On November 4, 2009, Blige sang at before the and played the last game (game 6) of the. Blige performed two songs from her ninth album as well as her previous hits, 'No More Drama' and 'Be Without You' along with the song 'Color', which was featured on the soundtrack.

Blige appeared as a guest judge on the ninth season of American Idol on January 13, 2010. On January 23, 2010, Blige released a track ' with The Roots as well as performing it at the telethon. At the 2010 Grammy Awards, Blige and performed' '. Blige also performed on BET's SOS Help For Haiti, singing 'Gonna Make It' with Jazmine Sullivan and 'One.' Blige also took part in February 2010's, singing the solo originally sung by in the original 1985 version. At the 41st Blige won Outstanding Female Artist and Outstanding Album for Stronger with Each Tear.

On November 18, 2010, Billboard revealed Mary J. Blige as the most successful female R&B/Hip Hop Artist on the Top 50 R&B/Hip Hop Artists of the Past 25 Years list. Mary came in at number 2 overall. 2011–13: My Life II. The Journey Continues (Act 1) & A Mary Christmas [ ].

Blige onstage at the Raggamuffin Festival in Sydney, Australia in January 2011. In January 2011, premiered Blige's teaster track ' featuring vocals. In July 2011, Blige released the song 'The Living Proof' as the lead single to the soundtrack of the film. On July 24, premiered their third that profiled her personal and career life.

In August 2011, Blige released her first single off the album, '. Blige's tenth studio album,, was released in November 2011. The album, primarily recorded in and, saw Blige looking toward the future while acknowledging the past. 'From me to you, My Life II. Our journey together continues in this life,' the singer explained.

'It’s a gift to be able to relate and identify with my fans at all times. This album is a reflection of the times and lives of people all around me. Download El Matador Pc Iso Sites. ' The album feature production from and, among others. The second single ' featuring Canadian rapper was the most successful single from the album, peaking at number 10 on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The rest of songs released, including lead single ' achieved only moderate success, peaking within the top 40 on R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.

The album itself debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200, selling 156,000 copies first week; it was eventually certified Gold in 2012 and has sold 763,000 in the US. On February 28, 2012, Blige performed ' at the.

Blige appeared as guest mentor on on March 7, 2012, and performed 'Why' on the results show the following night. On September 23, 2012, Blige was a performer at the Music Festival at the. Blige was featured on the song ' from 's album Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, released on October 22, 2012. In early 2013, reports surfaced that Blige was recording a Christmas album. The album, titled, was released on October 15, 2013 through Matriarch and Verve Records, her first release with the latter. The album includes collaborations with,, and.

In early December, became Blige's 12th top ten album after it rose to #10 in its eight week. On October 23, 2013, Blige sang the national anthem before Game 1 of the. 2014–present: The London Sessions and Strength of a Woman [ ] On February 5, 2014 a of 's ' featuring from Mary was released. It was announced May 30, 2014 that, released June 17 on, would introduce new songs by Mary J. Blige, including the single 'Suitcase'. Blige recorded a collection of music from and inspired by the film.

In the United States, Think Like a Man Too debuted at number 30 on the, with 8,688 copies sold in its first week, becoming the lowest sales debut of any of her studio albums. On 's R&B/Hip-Hop chart, the soundtrack album charted at number six, marking Blige's 16th top ten entry on the chart, tying her with for the second-most top tens by a female artist. June 2, 2014 saw Blige pairing up with another English musician with the release of a re-worked version of 's '.

A live visual to the song was released on the same day. Following her concert date at the Essence Festival, on July 9, 2014 it was announced Blige would move to London to experiment with a new sound for her new album. Blige spent a month in London recording her album in with a host of young British acts, including Disclosure,, and Sam Smith. Ten new songs, co-written and recorded by the singer, was released on November 24, 2014 on an album entitled,. That same month, she announced that she left Geffen and Interscope and signed with Capitol Records. In August 2016, Blige was recruited to perform the new for the talk show for its twentieth season titled 'World's Gone Crazy' written. A music video was also shot for the new theme song.

Blige also appeared on The View alongside during its premiere week on September 9, 2016 to discuss their joint tour and theme song. On September 30, 2016 Blige premiered a new show The 411 on. For its debut episode, Blige interviewed. A trailer was released online with Blige singing a cover of 's ' to a bewildered Clinton.

The exchange received mixed and negative reaction from social media. Birthday Music Video Download on this page. Two weeks later, a studio version, this time featuring a verse from American rapper was released online. Following her highly publicized divorce from Kendu Issacs, Blige released two songs within October, ' and '. On April 28, 2017, her thirteenth studio album,, was released.

It peaked at number three on the Billboard 200, number two on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and toppled the R&B Albums chart. Acting career [ ] In 1998, Blige made her acting debut on the sitcom playing a character, the apparently southern Ola Mae; a preacher's daughter who wanted to sing more than. Her father was portrayed by Ronald Isley of. In 2001, Blige starred opposite rapper in the independent film.

That same year, Blige made a cameo on the network series,; playing the role of Simone Fellows. Blige's character was the lead singer of a band who was sick, but would not seek treatment. In 2000, Blige was featured in a superhero web cartoon in junction with. Blige used the cartoon as part of her performance while on her 2000. In 2004, Blige starred in an play,. The play chronicled the experiences of death row inmates.

Blige portrayed Sunny Jacobs, a woman who spent 20 years in prison for a crime she did not commit. In late 2005, it was reported that Blige landed the starring role in the upcoming biopic on American singer/pianist and civil rights activist,. By spring of 2010, Blige was slated to star as Simone with actor portraying her manager Clifton Henderson. Blige later dropped out of the role due to financial issues and the role has since been recast controversially with actress as Simone in that was released in April 2016. In February 2007, Blige guest-starred on, in an episode called 'Mean Ghost', as the character Jackie Boyd, the school's cheer leader coach grieving for the death of her brother and affected by the ghost of a dead cheerleader. The episode features many of Blige's songs. In August 2007, Blige was a guest star on, in the role of herself, as a client of 's agency.

In October 2007, Blige was also a guest star on, as a creative director for a photo shoot. In May 2009, Mary made a guest appearance on, as an artist recording a benefit song for a kidney. Blige also had a supporting role in Tyler Perry's movie, which was released in September 2009.

Blige starred alongside,, and in the film adaptation of the 1980s jukebox hit musical. Blige played Justice Charlier, the owner of a Sunset Strip gentlemen's club. Production began in May 2011 and the film was released in June 2012. Blige starred in the movie Betty and Coretta alongside, and Lindsay Owen Pierre. She played, the widow of. The film premiered in February 2013. In December 2015, she portrayed Evillene, the in 's.

In October 2016, Blige guest-starred on ABC's as an old acquaintance of played by American actress. In 2017, Blige starred in the period drama film directed. Playing Florence Jackson, the matriarch of her family, she received praise such as 's review: 'Mary J. Blige, as the mother of the Jackson family, gives a transformative performance that will elevate the acting career of the R&B star.' For her performance in, Blige was nominated for the, the and the. Personal life [ ] Blige married her manager, Martin 'Kendu' Isaacs, on December 7, 2003. At the time, Isaacs had two children, Nas and Jordan, with his first wife, and an older daughter, Briana, from a teenaged relationship.

In July 2016, Blige filed for divorce, citing 'irreconcilable differences'. Other ventures [ ] In 2004, Blige launched her own record label, Matriarch Records, distributed through Interscope, and in mid-2012, discovered Just'Us, making the group the first ladies of the label. Blige says 'These are my little Mary’s; they each remind me of myself at different points in my life.'

Blige has been reported to be working with Just'Us on their debut album. In July 2010, Blige launched her first perfume, My Life (through ), exclusively on. The fragrance's success broke sales records in hours and has been awarded two prestigious FIFI awards from the Fragrance Foundation. The newest fragrance, My Life Blossom launched in August 2011 exclusively to HSN.

In October 2010 Blige released a line of sunglasses called 'Melodies by MJB'. The first Melodies collection featured four styles with a total of 20 color options. Each style represented a specific facet of Blige’s life. Essence magazine reported that in the spring of 2011, 'Melodies by MJB' extended their collection to offer more styles.

Blige's production company, along with William Morris Endeavor is also working on several TV and film projects. Blige has had endorsement contracts with,,,,,,,,,, and. She has also been a spokesperson with beauty products and 's with program. Blige opened her Apple Music Show 'The 411' on September 30. Main article: Called the 'Queen of hip-hop soul', Blige is credited with influencing the musical marriage of hip hop and R&B. Ethan Brown of The New Yorker says that albums ' and, in hindsight, invented 'the sample-heavy sound that reinvigorated urban radio and became a blueprint for nineties hip-hop and R&B.' Brown further concludes that Mary's 'duets with the Wu-Tang Clan's Method Man and Ghostface Killah set the trend for collaborations between rappers and R&B songbirds like Mariah Carey.'

Tom Horan of comments that Blige, being a hugely influential figure in popular music, 'invented what is now called R&B by successfully combining female vocals with muscular hip hop rhythm tracks. All over the world, that recipe dominates today's charts.'

Called one of the 'most explosive, coming-out displays of pure singing prowess' and 'one of the most important albums of the nineties', What's the 411? Saw Blige pioneer 'the movement that would later become, generating gripping songs that were also massive radio hits.' African American scholars have noted the implications of Blige's presentation and representation of black womanhood and femininity in the typically male-dominated and centric sphere of hip hop. Blending the vocal techniques of rapping in hip hop with aspirational messages in R&B, Blige is credited to articulating black women's experiences in a 'more factual and objective' manner than typical in the media. Using her personal experiences and struggles with her family as source material for her songs, Blige refutes notions of black female hypersexuality by 'imploring women to love and empower themselves through both autonomy and intimacy.'

This desire for love does more than connect to her audience members. With particular attention on her single ',' critics note how the song is 'a performative text, declaratively demand[ing] recognition of Blige’s full humanity and, more broadly, that of hip-hop-generation women.' Blige has received notable awards and achievements. In 2010, she was ranked 80th on 's list of the 100 Greatest Artist of All Time.

Blige was listed as one of the 50 most influential R&B singers. Magazine ranked My Life at number 279 on its list of the. The album was also included on 's list of the 100 Greatest albums of All Time. Alternately called the 'Queen of R&B' for her success in the realm of R&B, Blige has amassed ten number one albums on the R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart. Blige is also the only artist to have won Grammys in the R&B, hip hop, pop, and gospel fields.

Discography [ ]. Main article: Film [ ] Year Title Role Notes 2001 Mrs. Butler Film debut 2009 Tanya 2012 Justice Charlier 2013 Platinum Fro Nominated — 2017 Florence Jackson (Runner-up) Pending — Pending — Pending — Pending — Pending — Pending — Pending — Nominated — Nominated — Nominated — 2018 Irene Post-production Television [ ] Year Title Role Notes 1995 Herself 'Private Enemy No. 1' (episode 14, season 1), 'Tag You're Dead' (episode 2, season 2) [music performance] 1998 Ola Mae 'Papa Don't Preach' (episode 14, season 2) 1999 Herself 'Good Vibrations?' (episode 1, season 5) 2001 Simone Fellows 'History' (episode 4, season 2) 2007 Jackie Boyd 'Mean Ghost' (episode 15, season 2) Herself 'Gary's Desk' (episode 8, season 4) 2009 Herself 'Kidney Now!' (episode 22, season 3) 2010 & 2012 Guest judge/Herself 2010: Auditions were held in at the when Blige guest judged.

2012: Mentor for the Top 13 Whitney Houston & Stevie Wonder Week 2013 Television film Nominated — Guest judge/herself Blige assisted at her judge's house in 2015 Angie 'Sins of the Father' (episode 10, season 1) Evillene, The Wicked Witch of the West TV special Nominated — Nominated — 2016 Ro TV Series (2 episodes) See also [ ] • • • • References [ ].