Mary J. Blige

American singer (born 1971)

Mary J. Blige

Blige in 2023

Born|

Mary Jane Blige

(1971-01-11) January 11, 1971 (age 54)

New York City, U.S.

Occupations|

* Singer
* songwriter
* rapper
* actress
* entrepreneur
* producer

Years active| 1988–present[1]
Spouse|

Kendu Isaacs

(m. 2003; div. 2018)​

Awards| Full list
Musical career
Origin| Yonkers, New York, U.S.
Genres|

* R&B
* hip hop soul[2][3]
* new jack swing
* neo soul[4]

Instrument| Vocals
Labels|

* Beautiful Life
* Mary Jane
* 300
* Atlantic
* Republic
* Capitol
* Matriarch
* Geffen
* Verve
* Uptown
* MCA

Website| maryjblige.com

Musical artist

Mary Jane Blige (/blaɪʒ/ BLYZHE; born January 11, 1971)[5] is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, actress, and entrepreneur. Often referred to as the "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul" and "Queen of R&B", her accolades include nine Grammy Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, four American Music Awards, twelve NAACP Image Awards, and twelve Billboard Music Awards, including the Billboard Icon Award.

Her career began in 1988 when she was signed to Uptown Records by its founder Andre Harrell. During this time, Blige performed background vocals for other artists on the label.[1] In 1992, Blige released her debut album, What's the 411?, which is credited for introducing the mix of R&B and hip hop into mainstream pop culture. Its 1993 remix album became the first album by a singer to have a rapper on every song, popularizing rap as a featuring act.[6] Both What's the 411? and her 1994 album My Life ranked among Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list.[7] Throughout her career, Blige went on to release 15 studio albums, four of which topped the Billboard 200 chart. Her biggest hits include "Real Love", "You Remind Me", "I'm Goin' Down", "Not Gon' Cry", "Everything", "No More Drama", "Be Without You", "One" (with U2), "Just Fine" and the Billboard Hot 100 number-one single "Family Affair".

Blige enhanced her popularity with an acting career. She was nominated for two Academy Awards, for her supporting role as Florence Jackson in Mudbound (2017) and the film's song "Mighty River", becoming the first person nominated for acting and songwriting in the same year. Her other film roles include Prison Song (2001), Rock of Ages (2012), Betty and Coretta (2013), Black Nativity (2013), Trolls World Tour (2020), Body Cam (2020), The Violent Heart (2021), Respect (2021) and Rob Peace (2024). Her television work include the series The Umbrella Academy (2019) and Power Book II: Ghost (2020–2024).

Blige received a Legends Award at the World Music Awards in 2006, the Voice of Music Award from ASCAP in 2007 and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2018. In 2010, Billboard ranked her as the most successful female R&B/Hip-Hop artist of the past 25 years.[8] In 2017, the magazine named "Be Without You" as the most successful R&B/hip-hop song of all time, as it spent a then-record 15 weeks atop the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and over 75 weeks on the chart overall.[9] Blige was featured in listicles such as VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of All Time (2011), Time's 100 most influential people in the world (2022) and Rolling Stone's 200 Greatest Singers of All Time (2023). In 2024, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

## Early life and music career

[edit]

### 1971–1991: Early life and career beginnings

[edit]

Mary Jane Blige[1][10] was born on January 11, 1971, at Fordham Hospital in the Bronx, New York City, to nurse Cora and jazz musician Thomas Blige. She has an older sister, LaTonya Blige-DaCosta, a younger half-brother, Bruce Miller, and a younger half-sister, Jonquell, both from a relationship Blige's mother had with another man after divorcing her first husband.[11][12]

Blige spent her early childhood in Richmond Hill, Georgia,[13][6] where she sang in a Pentecostal church.[14] She and her family later moved back to New York and resided in the Schlobohm Housing Projects, located in Yonkers.[15] The family subsisted on her mother's earnings as a nurse after her father left the family in the mid-1970s.[16] Her father was a Vietnam War veteran who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and alcoholism.[15]

At age five, she was molested by a family friend; as a teenager she endured years of sexual harassment from her peers.[17] She would eventually turn to alcohol, drugs and promiscuous sex to try to numb the pain.[18] Blige dropped out of high school in her junior year.[19]

Influenced by the music of Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan and Gladys Knight,[20][21] she began pursuing a musical career. Blige spent a short time in a Yonkers band named Pride with band drummer Eddie D'Aprile. In early 1988, she recorded an impromptu cover of Anita Baker's "Caught Up in the Rapture" at a recording booth in the Galleria Mall in White Plains, New York. Her mother's boyfriend at the time later played the cassette for Jeff Redd, a recording artist and A&R runner for Uptown Records.[11] Redd sent it to the president and CEO of the label, Andre Harrell. Harrell met with Blige, and in 1989 at the age of 18, she was signed to the label as a backup vocalist for artists such as Father MC,[22] becoming the company's youngest and first female artist.[14]

### 1992–1996: What's the 411? and My Life

[edit]

After being signed to Uptown, Blige began working with record producer Sean Combs, also known as Puff Daddy.[23] He became the executive producer and produced a majority of her first album.[24] The title What's the 411?[25] was an indication by Blige of being the "real deal".[26] What's the 411? established Blige as a dynamic storyteller whose performances of love narrative drew upon both her musical influences and her lived experiences as an icon of the hip-hop-generation.[27] The music was described as "revelatory on a frequent basis".[19] Blige was noted for having a "tough girl persona and streetwise lyrics".[28] On July 28, 1992, Uptown/MCA Records released What's the 411?, to positive reviews from critics.[29] What's the 411? peaked at number six on the Billboard 200 and topped the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[30] It also peaked at number 53 on the UK Albums Chart.[31] It was certified three times Platinum by the RIAA.[32] 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 new jack swing but loves it just the same".[33] According to Dave McAleer, Blige became the most successful new female R&B artist of 1992 in the United States.[34]

What's the 411? earned her two Soul Train Music Awards in 1993: Best New R&B Artist and Best R&B Album, Female.[35] It was also voted the year's 30th best album in the Pazz & Jop—an annual poll of American critics nationwide, published by The Village Voice.[36] By August 2010, the album had sold 3,318,000 copies in the US.[37] What's the 411? has since been viewed by critics as one of the 1990s' most important records.[29] Blige's combination of vocals over a hip hop beat proved influential in contemporary R&B.[38] With the album, she was dubbed the reigning "Queen of Hip Hop Soul" The album's success spun off What's the 411? Remix, a remix album 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.

Following the success of her debut album and a remixed version in 1993, Blige went into the recording studio in the winter of 1993 to record her second album, My Life.[39] The album was a breakthrough for Blige, who at this point was in a clinical depression, battling both drugs and alcohol – as well as being in an abusive relationship with K-Ci Hailey.[40][41] On November 29, 1994, Uptown/MCA released My Life to positive reviews. The album peaked at number seven on the US Billboard 200 and number one of the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums 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 Blender's list of the 100 greatest American albums of all time.[42] The following year, Rolling Stone placed it at number 279 on their 500 Greatest Albums of All Time,[43] and in 2006, the record was included in Time's 100 greatest albums of all-time list.[44]

Blige involved herself in several outside projects, recording a cover of Aretha Franklin's "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" for the soundtrack to the FOX series New York Undercover, and "Everyday It Rains" (co-written by R&B singer Faith Evans) for the soundtrack to the hip hop documentary, The Show. Later in the year, she recorded the Babyface-penned and produced "Not Gon' Cry", for the soundtrack to the motion picture Waiting to Exhale. 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 1996 Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for her collaboration with Method Man on "I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By". Shortly after, Blige was featured on Jay-Z's breakthrough single, "Can't Knock the Hustle", from his debut Reasonable Doubt (1996) and with Ghostface Killah on "All That I Got Is You" from his debut, Ironman, which was also released that year. In addition, Blige co-wrote four songs, provided background vocals and was featured prominently on two singles with fellow R&B singer Case on his self-titled debut album (1996) including the US top 20 hit, "Touch Me, Tease Me", which also featured then up-and-coming rapper Foxy Brown.

What's the 411? highlights the featuring of woman centered narratives although in this album her narratives were regularly policed and told through male emcees. Nonetheless, it marked the start of a transition towards black women centered narratives that focused on the daily experiences and troubles of the black experience through the lens of women rather than necessarily singing about black trauma. Treva B. Lindsey, in her piece "If You Look in My Life: Love, Hip-Hop Soul, and Contemporary African-American Womanhood", highlights the regulating by men saying, "Although the lyrics on What's the 411? establish an African American woman-centered discourse, male artists' words of adoration and longing first introduce listeners to Blige as a hip-hop storyteller. What's the 411?, therefore, functions as an African American woman-centered storytelling space created largely by black men."[45]

### 1997–2000: Share My World and Mary

[edit]

Blige in 1998

On April 22, 1997, MCA Records (parent company to Uptown Records, which was in the process of being dismantled) released Blige's third album, Share My World. By then, she and Combs had dissolved their working relationship. In his place were the Trackmasters, who executive-produced the project along with Steve Stoute. Sharing production duties were producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, R. Kelly, Babyface and Rodney Jerkins. 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 Billboard 200 and spawned five hit singles: "Love Is All We Need" (featuring Nas), "I Can Love You" (featuring Lil' Kim), "Everything", "Missing You" (UK only) and "Seven Days" (featuring George Benson). In February 1997, Blige performed her hit at the time, "Not Gon' Cry", at the 1997 Grammy Awards, which gained her a third Grammy Award nomination, her first for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, 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 live album released later that year, simply titled The Tour. The album spawned one single, "Misty Blue".

On August 17, 1999, Blige's fourth album, titled Mary was released. It marked a departure from her more familiar hip hop-oriented sound; this set featured a more earthy, whimsical, and adult contemporary-tinged collection of songs, reminiscent of the 1970s to early 1980s soul. She also appeared on In Concert: A Benefit for the Crossroads Centre at Antigua with Eric Clapton 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 DMX) and "Confrontation" (a collaboration with hip hop duo Funkmaster Flex & 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. 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 the radio. In the meantime, MCA used the album to expand Blige's demographic into the nightclub market, as club-friendly dance remixes of the Mary singles were released. The club remix of "Your Child" peaked at number-one on the Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play chart in October 2000. In 2001, a Japan-only compilation, Ballads, was released. The album featured covers of Stevie Wonder's "Overjoyed", and previous recordings of Aretha Franklin's "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" and Dorothy Moore's "Misty Blue". In 1999, George Michael 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 Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael. 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. In January 2001, Blige performed as a special guest in the Super Bowl XXXV halftime show.[46]

### 2001–2004: No More Drama and Love & Life

[edit]

Blige in Hamburg, Germany, 2000

On August 28, 2001, MCA released Blige's fifth studio album, No More Drama. The first single in the album, "Family Affair" (produced by Dr. Dre) became her first and only 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 "Dance for Me" featuring Common with samples from "The Bed's Too Big Without You" by The Police, and the Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis-produced title track (originally recorded for the Mary album), which sampled "Nadia's Theme", the piano-driven theme song to the daytime drama The Young and the Restless. 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 and 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 "Rainy Dayz", (featuring Ja Rule), plus two remixes; one of the title track, serviced by Sean Combs/Puff Daddy and the single version of "Dance for Me" featuring Common. Blige won a Grammy for 'Best Female R&B Vocal Performance' for the song "He Think I Don't Know". In April 2002, Blige performed with Shakira with the song "Love Is a Battlefield" on VH1 Divas show live in Las Vegas, she also performed "No More Drama" and "Rainy Dayz" as a duet with the returning Whitney Houston.

On July 22, 2002, MCA released Dance for Me, a collection of club remixes of some of her past top hits including the Junior Vasquez remix of "Your Child", and the Thunderpuss 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 Love & Life was released on Geffen Records (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 "Love @ 1st Sight", 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, "Ooh!", "Not Today" featuring Eve, "Whenever I Say Your Name" featuring Sting on the international re-release, and "It's a Wrap" fared worse. Although the album was certified platinum, it became Blige's lowest-selling at the time. 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 the first week.[47] Love & Life received mixed reviews from music critics.[48] AllMusic gave it 4 stars and said the album "beamed with joy" and Rolling Stone gave it three stars, saying "You may not always love Blige's music, but you will feel her". The album was eventually certified Platinum by the RIAA for shipping over 1,000,000 copies in the US.[32] The album was nominated for the Best Contemporary R&B Album at the 46th Grammy Awards.

### 2005–2006: The Breakthrough and Reflections – A Retrospective

[edit]

Blige performing during the NFL Kickoff Game in September 2003 in Washington, D.C.

Geffen Records released Blige's seventh studio album, The Breakthrough on December 20, 2005. For the album, Blige collaborated with J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Rodney Jerkins, will.i.am, Bryan-Michael Cox, 9th Wonder, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Raphael Saadiq, Cool and Dre, and Dre & Vidal. The cover art was photographed by Markus Klinko & Indrani. 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 SoundScan history,[49][50] the fifth largest first-week sales for a female artist, and the fourth largest debut of 2005.

The lead-off single, "Be Without You", 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 UK Singles Chart. It is her second-longest charting single to date. The album produced three more singles including two more top-five R&B hits—"Enough Cryin'", which features Blige's alter ego Brook-Lynn (as whom she appeared on the remix to Busta Rhymes's "Touch It" in 2006); and "Take Me as I Am" (which samples Lonnie Liston Smith's "A Garden of Peace"). Blige's duet with U2 on the cover of their 1992 hit, "One" gave Blige her biggest hit to date in the UK, peaking at number two on the UK Singles Chart eventually being certified one of the forty highest-selling singles of 2006;[51] it was her longest charting UK single. The success of The Breakthrough won Blige nine Billboard Music Awards, two American Music Awards, two BET Awards, two NAACP Image Awards, and a Soul Train Award. She received eight Grammy Award nominations at the 2007 Grammy Awards, the most of any artist that year. "Be Without You" was nominated for both "Record of the Year" and "Song of the Year". Blige won three: "Best Female R&B Vocal Performance", "Best R&B Song" (both for "Be Without You"), and "Best R&B Album" for The Breakthrough.[52] Blige completed a season sweep of the "big three" major music awards, having won two American Music Awards in November 2006[53] and nine Billboard Music Awards in December 2006.[54]

In December 2006, a compilation called Reflections (A Retrospective) was released. It contained many of Blige's greatest hits and four new songs, including the worldwide lead single "We Ride (I See the Future)". In the UK, however, "MJB da MVP" (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 In 2006, Blige recorded a duet with rapper Ludacris, "Runaway Love", which is the third single on his fifth album, Release Therapy. It reached the top five on the Billboard Hot 100 and the R&B chart. Blige was featured with Aretha Franklin and the Harlem Boys Choir on the soundtrack to the 2006 motion picture Bobby, on the lead track "Never Gonna Break My Faith" written by Bryan Adams. The song was nominated for a Golden Globe and won the Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards.

### 2007–2008: Growing Pains

[edit]

Blige performing in July 2007

Blige's eighth studio album, Growing Pains, 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, "Just Fine", 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 Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, and Blige won Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for the Chaka Khan duet "Disrespectful" (featured on Khan's album Funk This) 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. "Just Fine" returned Blige to the UK singles chart top 20 after her previous two singles failed to chart highly. Subsequent singles from Growing Pains include "Work That", which accompanied Blige in an iTunes commercial, and "Stay Down".

Blige was featured on 50 Cent's 2007 album, Curtis, in the song "All of Me". In March 2008, she toured with Jay-Z on the Heart of the City Tour. Together, they released a song called "You're Welcome". In the same period, cable network BET aired a special on Blige titled The Evolution of Mary J. Blige, which showcased her career. Celebrities such as Method Man and Ashanti gave their opinions about Blige and her music. Blige is featured on singles by Big Boi, and Musiq Soulchild. Growing Pains was nominated for and won the Grammy Award for "Best Contemporary R&B Album", at the 51st Grammy Awards held on February 8, 2009, earning Blige her 27th Grammy nomination, in a mere decade. Blige went on the Growing Pains European Tour, 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"[55] and then eventually canceled entirely.[56] On August 7, 2008, it was revealed Blige faced a US$2 million federal suit claiming Neff-U wrote the music for the song "Work That", 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 iPod commercial are not in question.[57]

### 2009–2010: Stronger with Each Tear

[edit]

Blige returned to performing in January 2009 by performing the song "Lean on Me" at the Presidential Inauguration Committee's, "We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial". Blige also performed her hit 2007 single, "Just Fine", with a new intro at the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball after Barack Obama was sworn in on January 20, 2009. Blige appeared as a marquee performer on the annual Christmas in Washington television special.

Blige performing at Bumbershoot in September 2010

Blige's ninth studio album, Stronger with Each Tear, 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. Blige recorded "Stronger", as the lead single from the soundtrack to the basketball documentary "More than a Game" in August 2009. The second single from Stronger with Each Tear, "I Am", was released in December 2009 and reached number fifty-five on the Hot 100. The third international single from the album, "Each Tear", 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, "We Got Hood Love" featuring Trey Songz, was released in March 2010 and reached number tw25 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart though it failed to reach the Hot 100.[58] One of Blige's representatives reported to Us Weekly magazine that a tour in support of Stronger with Each Tear would begin in the fall of 2010.[59] In March 2010, Blige released Stronger with Each Tear in the United Kingdom, as well as in the European markets. The album performed modestly in the United Kingdom, debuting at number 33 on the UK Albums Chart and at number four on the UK R&B Chart. It reached the top 100 in other countries.

Blige was honored at the 2009 BET Honors Ceremony and was paid tribute by Anita Baker and Monica. On November 4, 2009, Blige sang The Star-Spangled Banner at Yankee Stadium before the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies played the last game (game 6) of the World Series. 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 Precious soundtrack. Blige appeared as a guest judge on the ninth season of American Idol on January 13, 2010.

On January 23, Blige released a track titled "Hard Times Come Again No More" with the Roots, performing it at the Hope for Haiti Now telethon. Blige also performed on BET's SOS Help For Haiti, singing "Gonna Make It" with Jazmine Sullivan and "One." At the 2010 Grammy Awards, Blige performed "Bridge over Troubled Water" with Andrea Bocelli. She also took part in February 2010's We Are the World 25 for Haiti, singing the solo originally sung by Tina Turner in the original 1985 We Are the World version. At the 41st NAACP Image Awards on February 26, Blige won Outstanding Female Artist and Outstanding Album for Stronger with Each Tear.[60] 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. She came in at number 2 overall.[61]

### 2011–2013: My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1) and A Mary Christmas

[edit]

Blige onstage at the Raggamuffin Festival in Sydney, Australia in January 2011

In January 2011, Hot 97 premiered Blige's teaser track "Someone to Love Me (Naked)" featuring vocals by Lil Wayne.[62] In July 2011, Blige released the song "The Living Proof" as the lead single to the soundtrack of the film The Help.[63] On July 24, VH1 premiered their third Behind the Music that profiled her personal and career life. In August 2011, Blige released her first single off the album, "25/8". Blige's tenth studio album, My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1), was released in November 2011.[64] The album, primarily recorded in Los Angeles and New York City, 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." The album features production by Kanye West and the Underdogs.[65] The second single "Mr. Wrong" featuring Canadian rapper Drake was the most successful single from the album, peaking at number 10 on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The rest of the songs released, including lead single "25/8" achieved only moderate success, peaking within the top 40 on R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. The album itself debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200, selling 156,000 copies in the first week; it was eventually certified Gold in 2012 and has sold 763,000 in the US.[66]

On February 28, 2012, Blige performed "Star Spangled Banner" at the 2012 NBA All-Star Game. Blige appeared as guest mentor on American Idol on March 7, 2012, and performed "Why" on the results show the following night.[67] On September 23, 2012, Blige was a performer at the iHeartRadio Music Festival at the MGM Grand Las Vegas. Blige was featured on the song "Now or Never" from Kendrick Lamar'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, A Mary Christmas was released on October 15, 2013, through Matriarch and Verve Records, her first release with the latter. The album includes collaborations with Barbra Streisand, the Clark Sisters, Marc Anthony and Jessie J. In early December, A Mary Christmas became Blige's 12th top ten album after it rose to No. 10 in its eight week.[68] On October 23, 2013, Blige sang the national anthem before Game 1 of the 2013 World Series.[69]

### 2014–2020: The London Sessions and Strength of a Woman

[edit]

Blige performing State Dinner for President François Hollande of France, 2014

On February 5, 2014, a remix of Disclosure's "F for You" featuring guest vocals from Mary was released.[70] In May 2014 Blige was featured on Mariah Carey’s song It's a Wrap as part of Carey’s deluxe edition of her 2014 album Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse.[71] It was announced May 30, 2014, that Think Like a Man Too (Music from and Inspired by the Film), released June 17 on Epic Records, would introduce new songs by Mary J. Blige, including the single "Suitcase".[72] 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 Billboard 200, with 8,688 copies sold in its first week, becoming the lowest sales debut of any of her studio albums.[73] On Billboard'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 Mariah Carey for the second-most top tens by a female artist.[73] June 2, 2014, saw Blige pairing up with another English musician with the release of a reworked version of Sam Smith's "Stay with Me". A live visual to the song was released on the same day.[74]

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.[75] Blige spent a month in London recording her album in RAK Studios with a host of young British acts, including Disclosure, Naughty Boy, Emeli Sandé and Sam Smith. Ten new songs, co-written and recorded by the singer, were released on November 24, 2014, on an album titled The London Sessions.[76] 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 theme song for the ABC Daytime talk show The View for its twentieth season titled "World's Gone Crazy" written by Diane Warren. A music video was also shot for the new theme song with co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Candace Cameron Bure, Raven-Symoné, Paula Faris, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin and Jedediah Bila. Blige also appeared on The View alongside Maxwell 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 Apple Music.[77] On its debut episode, she interviewed Hillary Clinton. A trailer was released online with Blige singing a cover of Bruce Springsteen's "American Skin" to a bewildered Clinton. The exchange received mixed and negative reaction on social media. Two weeks later, a studio version, this time featuring a verse from American rapper Kendrick Lamar was released online.

In October 2016, following her highly publicized divorce from Kendu Issacs, Blige released two songs: "Thick of It" and "U + Me (Love Lesson)". Her thirteenth studio album, Strength of a Woman, was released on April 28, 2017.[78] It peaked at number three on the Billboard 200, number two on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and topped the R&B Albums chart.[79] On July 12, 2018, Blige released the single "Only Love" on Republic Records, following her exit from Capitol Records.

On April 16, 2019, Blige announced that she is co-headlining a North American summer tour with Nas titled The Royalty Tour.[80] On May 8, Blige released the single "Thriving" featuring Nas.[81] During an interview with Ebro Darden on Beats 1 for the premiere of "Thriving", Blige announced that her next studio album would be released before July.[82] On June 23, at the 2019 BET Awards, she was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her extraordinary contributions to the music industry.[83]

### 2021–present: Good Morning Gorgeous, Super Bowl LVI halftime show and Gratitude

[edit]

In June 2021, Blige celebrated the 25th anniversary of her album My Life with the release of the Amazon Studios documentary Mary J. Blige's My Life, directed by Vanessa Roth.[84][40] In December 2021, it was announced that Blige had formed her own label, Mary Jane Productions, in conjunction with 300 Entertainment. Along with the news came the release of two new singles, "Good Morning Gorgeous" and "Amazing" featuring DJ Khaled. In January 2022, Blige released "Rent Money" featuring Dave East.[85] The songs appear on Blige's fourteenth studio album, also titled Good Morning Gorgeous, which was released on February 11, 2022.[86]

On February 13, 2022, Blige performed at the Super Bowl LVI halftime show alongside fellow American rappers Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, and Anderson .Paak.[87] Days later, on February 17, Blige said on the radio show The Breakfast Club that she is working on an album entirely produced by Dr. Dre.[88] On March 7, Blige and Pepsi announced the inaugural Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit, a three-day festival in Atlanta, in partnership with Live Nation Urban.[89] In May 2022, Blige was listed as one of the 100 most influential people in the world by TIME.[90] In September 2022, she was awarded the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special (Live) for Super Bowl LVI halftime show.[91] In February 2023, Mariah Carey released an EP of her song "It's a Wrap", which featured Mary's remix of the track.[92] In October 2023, Blige released a deluxe version of A Mary Christmas, which included four additional tracks.[93][94] On October 27, 2023, Blige released the single "Still Believe in Love", which features rapper Vado.[95][96][97]

Blige's fifteenth studio album, Gratitude, was released on November 15, 2024.

## Acting career

[edit]

### 1998–2016: Early works

[edit]

In 1998, Blige made her acting debut on the sitcom The Jamie Foxx Show, playing the apparently southern Ola Mae, a preacher's daughter who wanted to sing more than gospel music. Her father was portrayed by Ronald Isley of the Isley Brothers. In 2001, Blige starred opposite rapper Q-Tip in the independent film Prison Song. That same year, Blige made a cameo on the Lifetime network series, Strong Medicine; playing the role of Simone Fellows, 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 Stan Lee. Blige used the cartoon as part of her performance while on her 2000 Mary Show Tour. In 2004, Blige starred in an Off-Broadway play, The Exonerated, which 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 MTV Films biopic on American singer/pianist and civil rights activist, Nina Simone. By the spring of 2010, Blige was slated to star as Simone with British actor David Oyelowo portraying her manager Clifton Henderson. Blige later dropped out of the role due to financial issues and the role was subsequently recast with actress Zoe Saldana as Simone in Nina, released in 2016.

In February 2007, Blige guest-starred on Ghost Whisperer, in the episode "Mean Ghost", as the character Jackie Boyd, the school's cheerleader 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 Entourage, in the role of herself, as a client of Ari Gold's agency. In October 2007, Blige was also a guest star on America's Next Top Model, as a creative director for a photoshoot by Matthew Rolston. In May 2009, Mary made a guest appearance on 30 Rock, as an artist recording a benefit song for a kidney. Blige also had a supporting role in Tyler Perry's movie I Can Do Bad All by Myself, which was released in September 2009.[98]

Blige starred alongside Tom Cruise, Julianne Hough, and Alec Baldwin in the 2012 film adaptation of the 1980s jukebox musical Rock of Ages. 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 Lifetime movie Betty and Coretta alongside Angela Bassett, Malik Yoba and Lindsay Owen Pierre. She played Dr. Betty Shabazz, the widow of Malcolm X. The film premiered in February 2013. In December 2015, she portrayed Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West in NBC's The Wiz Live!.[99] In October 2016, Blige guest-starred on ABC legal drama How to Get Away with Murder as an old acquaintance of Annalise Keating played by Viola Davis.[100]

### 2017–present: Breakthrough with Mudbound and television roles

[edit]

In 2017, Blige starred in the period drama film Mudbound directed by Dee Rees. Playing Florence Jackson, the matriarch of her family,[101] she received praise such as Variety'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."[102] For her performance in Mudbound, Blige was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress,[103] the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Supporting Actress, the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role, and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. As she was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song (with Taura Stinson and Raphael Saadiq), she became the first person nominated for an Academy Award for acting and original song in the same year.[104][105] Her nomination also made Dee Rees the first black woman to direct a film for which an actor was nominated for an Academy Award.[106][107]

Blige voiced Irene in the 2018 animated film Sherlock Gnomes, and in 2020 voiced Queen Essence in the animated musical film Trolls World Tour. In 2018, it was announced that Blige was cast as Sherry Elliot in Scream: Resurrection, the third season of the slasher television series Scream.[108] The season premiered on VH1 on July 8, 2019.[109] In 2019, Blige starred in the role of Cha-Cha, a main antagonist in the Netflix superhero series The Umbrella Academy.[110]

In 2020, Blige played a leading role in the horror film Body Cam.[111] She also starred in the independent drama film Pink Skies Ahead.[112][113] Blige formerly starred as Monet Stewart Tejada in Power Book II: Ghost, the first spin-off for the highly rated Starz cable drama Power which premiered in September 2020.[114][115] Blige played singer Dinah Washington in the biographical drama film Respect about life and career of Aretha Franklin.[116] The film was released theatrically on August 13, 2021.

In 2023, Blige was cast in the drama film Rob Peace, a film adaptation of The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace, written and directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor.[117]

## Personal life

[edit]

In the 1990s, Blige spent six years in a relationship with singer Cedric "K-Ci" Hailey of the R&B group Jodeci.[118] Their turbulent relationship inspired Blige's album My Life.[40] During a 1995 interview on the UK television show The Word, Blige confirmed the two were engaged; Hailey denied that they were going to get married.[119][120] Following her break-up with Hailey, Blige developed a relationship with singer Case,[121][122] which dwindled due to his involvement with other women.[123] She also briefly dated rapper Nas.[124]

Blige married her manager, Martin "Kendu" Isaacs, on December 7, 2003.[125] At the time, Isaacs had two children, Nas and Jordan, with his first wife, and an older daughter, Briana, from a teenage relationship.[126] In July 2016, Blige filed for divorce, citing "irreconcilable differences".[127] Blige and Isaacs' divorce was finalized on June 21, 2018.[128]

Blige is a Democrat and performed for Barack Obama at the 2012 Democratic National Convention.[129]

Blige has dealt with drug and alcohol addiction, and as of 2019, she had been sober for several years.[130] She is also a childfree person, proclaiming in a February 2022 interview with E! News, "I have nieces and nephews forever, and I'm always watching how people are scrambling around for babysitters. I don’t want to go through that. I like my freedom. I like being able to get up and go and move and do what I want to do."[131][132]

Blige is a close friend to Taraji P. Henson, Missy Elliott, Method Man, Dr. Dre, Simone Smith (wife of rapper LL Cool J), and fashion stylists June Ambrose and Misa Hylton, as well as radio personality Angie Martinez, whose son, Niko Ruffin, is Blige's godson.[133][134][135][136]

## Other ventures

[edit]

Blige has had endorsement contracts with Reebok, Air Jordan, Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Gap, Target, American Express, AT&T Inc., M·A·C, Apple Inc., Burger King and Chevrolet.[137] She has also been a spokesperson for Carol's Daughter beauty products and Citibank's Citi Card program (alongside Nickelback).[138]

In 2004, Blige launched her own record label, Matriarch Records, distributed through Interscope. In 2012, she discovered girl group Just'Us, making the group the first ladies of the label. At the time, Blige said, "These are my little Mary's; they each remind me of myself at different points in my life."[139] Blige was reportedly working with the group on their debut album, but it never materialized, and Just'Us has since disbanded.

In 2009, Blige's production company, along with William Morris Endeavor, was working on several TV and film projects.[140]

In July 2010, in partnership with the Home Shopping Network (HSN) and Carol's Daughter, Blige launched her first perfume, My Life (through Carol's Daughter), exclusively on HSN.[141] The fragrance broke HSN sales records in hours,[142][143] by selling 50,000 bottles during its premiere, and has been awarded two prestigious FIFI awards from the Fragrance Foundation, including the "Fragrance Sales Breakthrough" award.[144][145] In August 2011, another scent called My Life Blossom was launched exclusively to HSN.

In October 2010, Blige released "Melodies by MJB", a line of sunglasses. The first Melodies collection featured four styles with a total of 20 color options. Each style represented a specific facet of Blige's life. In the spring of 2011, Essence magazine reported that "Melodies by MJB" had extended their collection to offer more styles.[146][147]

In late 2020, Blige and her close friend, Simone Johnson-Smith, a cancer survivor and wife of rapper LL Cool J, co-founded Sister Love, a jewelry line for women.[148][149] Blige also announced the 2019 formation of a film and television production label, Blue Butterfly Productions. On December 16, 2022, the label signed a first-look lucrative deal with BET for scripted and non-scripted content;[150][151] its first under the partnership was Blige's talk show, The Wine Down with Mary J. Blige, which premiered in early 2023.[152]

She has founded two companies: Mary Jane Productions, which she co-founded with her former manager, Steve Stoute, in 1994,[153] and an independent record label, Beautiful Life Productions, in 2023. She signed Boyz II Men affiliate group, WanMor to the former in August 2023[154] and New York rapper Vado to the latter in May 2024.[155][156]

## Legacy

[edit]

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Mary J. Blige

Called the "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul", Blige is credited with influencing the musical marriage of hip hop and R&B.[157] Ethan Brown of The New Yorker says that albums "What's the 411?" and "My Life", in hindsight, invented "the sample-heavy sound that reinvigorated urban radio and became a blueprint for nineties hip-hop and R&B".[158] Tom Horan of The Daily Telegraph comments that Blige, being an immensely 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."[159] Called one of the "most explosive, coming-out displays of pure singing prowess"[160] and "one of the most important albums of the nineties",[161] What's the 411? saw Blige pioneer "the movement that would later become neo soul, generating gripping songs that were also massive radio hits".[162]

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 with articulating black women's experiences in a "more factual and objective"[163] manner than typical stereotypes and tropes of black women 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."[164] This desire for love does more than connect to her audience members. With particular attention on her single "Real Love", 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."[164]

Blige has received notable awards and achievements. In 2010, she was ranked 80th on VH1's list of the 100 Greatest Artist of All Time.[165] Blige was listed as one of the 50 most influential R&B singers by Essence.[166] In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine ranked My Life at number 279 on its list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.[43] The album was also included on Time's list of the 100 Greatest albums of All Time.[44] In 2020, both What's the 411? and My Life were featured in a rebooted list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, at 271 and 126 respectively.[7] 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 .[61] Blige is also the only artist to have won Grammys in the R&B, hip-hop, pop, and gospel fields.

Blige and her work have influenced several recording artists, including Beyoncé,[167] Adele,[168][169] Taylor Swift,[170] Layton Greene,[171] Cheryl,[172] Teyana Taylor,[173] Keke Palmer,[174] Jess Glynne,[175] Sam Smith,[176] Summer Walker,[177] K. Michelle,[178] Rihanna,[179] Keyshia Cole[180] and Alexandra Burke.[181]

As an actress, Blige received the Breakthrough Performance Award at the 2018 Palm Springs International Film Festival for her role in Mudbound.[182]

In 2020, Kamala Harris, the first Black and South Asian female Vice President-elect on a major party, walked out to "Work That" at the 2020 Democratic National Convention, campaign events (including her own presidential campaign), and her victory speech.[183]

## Discography

[edit]

Main article: Mary J. Blige discography

### Studio albums

[edit]

* What's the 411? (1992)
* My Life (1994)
* Share My World (1997)
* Mary (1999)
* No More Drama (2001)
* Love & Life (2003)
* The Breakthrough (2005)
* Growing Pains (2007)
* Stronger with Each Tear (2009)
* My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1) (2011)
* A Mary Christmas (2013)
* The London Sessions (2014)
* Strength of a Woman (2017)
* Good Morning Gorgeous (2022)
* Gratitude (2024)

## Tours

[edit]

### Headlining

[edit]

* Share My World Tour (1997–98)
* The Mary Show Tour (2000)
* No More Drama Tour (2002)
* Love & Life Tour (2004)
* The Breakthrough Experience Tour (2006)
* Growing Pains European Tour (2008)
* Love Soul Tour (2008)
* Music Saved My Life Tour (2010–11)
* The London Sessions Tour (2015)
* Strength of a Woman Tour (2017)
* Good Morning Gorgeous Tour (2022)
* For My Fans Tour (2025)

### Co-headlining

[edit]

* Heart of the City Tour (with Jay-Z) (2007)
* The Liberation Tour (with D'Angelo) (2012–13)
* King and Queen of Hearts World Tour (with Maxwell) (2016)
* The Royalty Tour (with Nas) (2019)

### Supporting

[edit]

* Humpin' Around the World Tour (with Bobby Brown) (1992–1993)[184]

## Filmography

[edit]

Main article: Mary J. Blige videography

* Prison Song (2001)
* I Can Do Bad All by Myself (2009)
* Chico and Rita (2010)
* Rock of Ages (2012)
* Betty and Coretta (2013)
* Black Nativity (2013)
* Champs (2014)
* The Wiz Live! (2015)
* Mudbound (2017)
* Sherlock Gnomes (2018)
* Trolls World Tour (2020)
* Body Cam (2020)
* The Violent Heart (2020)
* Pink Skies Ahead (2020)
* Respect (2021)
* Rob Peace (2024)

## See also

[edit]

* List of artists who reached number one in the United States
* List of black Golden Globe Award winners and nominees
* Honorific nicknames in popular music

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Stacia Proefrock. "Mary J. Blige". AllMusic. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
2. ^ Arevalo, Lydia (July 12, 2018). "Mary J. Blige Takes Us to The Disco With "Only Love"". Vibe. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
3. ^ "Mary J. Blige Biography". Retrieved January 27, 2019.
4. ^ Chang, Jeff (2005). Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation. New York: St. Martin's Press. pp. 445–446\. ISBN 0-312-30143-X.445-446&rft.pub=St.+Martin's+Press&rft.date=2005&rft.isbn=0-312-30143-X&rft.aulast=Chang&rft.aufirst=Jeff&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Mary+J.+Blige" class="Z3988">
5. ^ "UPI Almanac for Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020". United Press International. January 11, 2020. Archived from the original on February 4, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2020. "…singer Mary J. Blige in 1971 (age 49)"
6. ^ a b Proefrock, Stacia. "Mary J. Blige Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
7. ^ a b "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time". Rolling Stone. September 22, 2020. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
8. ^ "Best of the 2000s — R&B/Hip hop artists". billboard.com.
9. ^ "Best of the 2000s — R&B/Hip hop songs". billboard.com.
10. ^ "Mary J. Blige | Biography, Music, & Facts". Britannica. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
11. ^ a b Whetstone, Muriel L. (October 1995). "Goin' Down and Up with Mary J. Blige". FindArticles. CBS Corporation. pp. 1–3\. Archived from the original on May 25, 2012. Retrieved April 17, 2009.1-3&rft.date=1995-10&rft.aulast=Whetstone&rft.aufirst=Muriel+L.&rft_id=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_n12_v50/ai_17502823/&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Mary+J.+Blige" class="Z3988">
12. ^ "You can find a way to heal". Parade Magazine. January 23, 2007. Archived from the original on May 21, 2010. Retrieved September 11, 2009.
13. ^ Aderoju, Darlene (February 19, 2020). "Mary J. Blige 'Just Sang' to Get Through Her Childhood: 'The Environment Was Terrible'". People. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
14. ^ a b "Mary J. Blige: Biography". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 26, 2009. Retrieved April 17, 2009.
15. ^ a b "Mary J. Blige Biography: Singer (1971–)". Biography.com (FYI / A&E Networks). Retrieved July 28, 2016.
16. ^ Collins, Louise Mooney; Speace, Geri J. (1995). Newsmakers, The People Behind Today's Headlines. New York: Gale Research Inc. pp. 36–38. ISBN 0-8103-5745-3.
17. ^ Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (January 8, 2018). "Mary J Blige: 'I went through hell with sexual harassment'". The Guardian. London, England. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
18. ^ Gracely, Joe (July 25, 2011). "Mary J. Blige reveals she was sexually abused and molested as a child". New York Daily News. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
19. ^ a b Proefrock, Stacia (January 11, 1971). "Mary J. Blige – Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
20. ^ "Mary J Blige | Bio". www.maryjblige.com. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
21. ^ Isles, Andrew (May 22, 2023). "Mary J. Blige: The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul from Yonkers, New York". The Yonkers Ledger. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
22. ^ "Mary J. Blige". islandrecords.co.uk. Archived from the original on September 9, 2018. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
23. ^ "Stardom Shaped By the Street and the Makers of Image". The New York Times. August 5, 1995. Retrieved July 24, 2009.
24. ^ Reid, Shaheem; Oh, Minya (March 14, 2003). "Mary J. Blige Teams Up with 50 Cent, P. Diddy to Discuss Love and Life". MTV News. Archived from the original on May 1, 2005. Retrieved July 24, 2009.
25. ^ Yeransian, Leslie (June 22, 2006). "Mary J. Blige: From the Projects to Hip-Hop Soul Queen". ABC News. p. 1. Retrieved July 24, 2009.
26. ^ Bailey 2009, p. 15
27. ^ Bat "What is HyperSoul? | p.93
28. ^ Moon, Tom (2004). "Mary J. Blige". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Simon and Schuster. pp. 83–4. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
29. ^ a b Dawes, Laina (December 1, 2014). "Mary J Blige's "My Life" Turns 20". Cuepoint. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
30. ^ "What's the 411? (1992)". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved July 24, 2009.
31. ^ "The Official Charts Company: Mary J. Blige – What's the 411?". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 24, 2009.
32. ^ a b "American certifications – Mary J. Blige". Recording Industry Association of America.
33. ^ DiMartino, Dave (November 20, 1992). "Close-up: Mary J. Blige". Entertainment Weekly. Time. Archived from the original on October 12, 2012. Retrieved July 24, 2009.
34. ^ McAleer 1995, p. 307
35. ^ Warner 2008, p. 325
36. ^ "Pazz & Jop". The Village Voice. March 2, 1993. p. 5.
37. ^ Grein, Paul (August 29, 2010). "Chart Watch Extra: 40 who died before 40". Yahoo!. Archived from the original on September 4, 2010. Retrieved August 29, 2009.
38. ^ Horan, Tom (April 23, 2002). "Blige blows Brum's socks off". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on March 6, 2014. Retrieved July 24, 2009.
39. ^ Williams, Chris. "Mary J. Blige's My Life LP (1994) revisited with co-producer Chucky Thompson | Return To The Classics". soulculture.com. Soul Culture. Archived from the original on August 19, 2014. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
40. ^ a b c Murrell, Morgan (June 24, 2021). "Mary J. Blige On Her "My Life" Album: "I Was Depressed, Ready To Die"". BuzzFeed. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
41. ^ "Key Tracks: Mary J. Blige's My Life". redbullmusicacademy.com. Red Bull Music Academy. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
42. ^ "Blender's 100 Greatest American Albums of All Time". Blender. Archived from the original on April 19, 2002. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
43. ^ a b "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time". Rolling Stone. May 31, 2012. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
44. ^ a b Tyrangiel, Josh (January 22, 2010). "All-TIME 100 Albums". Time. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
45. ^ Lindsey, Treva B. (2013). "If You Look in My Life: Love, Hip-Hop Soul, and Contemporary African American Womanhood". African American Review. 46 (1): 87–99\. doi:10.1353/afa.2013.0004. ISSN 1945-6182. S2CID 161453628.87-99&rft.date=2013&rft_id=https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:161453628#id-name=S2CID&rft.issn=1945-6182&rft_id=info:doi/10.1353/afa.2013.0004&rft.aulast=Lindsey&rft.aufirst=Treva+B.&rft_id=https://muse.jhu.edu/content/crossref/journals/african_american_review/v046/46.1.lindsey.html&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Mary+J.+Blige" class="Z3988">
46. ^ "The most memorable Super Bowl halftime shows". EW.com. Entertainment Weekly. February 2, 2009. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
47. ^ "Previous Album Sales Chart". HITS Daily Double. Archived from the original on September 6, 2013. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
48. ^ [1] [permanent dead link‍]
49. ^ [2] [dead link‍]
50. ^ Cohen, Jonathan (November 21, 2007). "Keys Storms Chart With Mega-Selling 'As I Am'". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2008.
51. ^ "The Official UK Singles Chart of the year: 2006". BBC Radio 1. Archived from the original on January 16, 2007. Retrieved January 27, 2007.
52. ^ "Dixie Chicks Make Nice With Five GRAMMYs". Grammy.org. February 11, 2007. Archived from the original on July 9, 2017. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
53. ^ "2006 American Music Awards Winners". Abclocal.go.com. November 22, 2006. Archived from the original on July 30, 2013. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
54. ^ "Mary J. Blige Wins Big At Billboard Music Awards". Billboard.com. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
55. ^ "postpones Aussie tour". News.com.au. June 6, 2008. Archived from the original on December 27, 2008. Retrieved October 30, 2008.
56. ^ "Chugg Entertainment : Mary J Blige". Chuggentertainment.com. Archived from the original on July 8, 2008. Retrieved October 30, 2008.
57. ^ Grace, Melissa (August 7, 2008). "Mary J. Blige faces 2M lawsuit over stolen song". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on December 11, 2008. Retrieved November 16, 2008.
58. ^ Reid, Shaheem (May 6, 2010). "Mary J. Blige On Making 'Hood Love' Video With Trey Songz — Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Archived from the original on May 10, 2010. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
59. ^ "Mary J. Blige: I'm Not Going to College! – Movies, TV & Music". UsMagazine.com. July 8, 2010. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
60. ^ "Mary J. Blige and Black Eyed Peas Win 2010 NAACP Image Awards". Celebrity-mania.com. February 27, 2010. Archived from the original on April 6, 2010. Retrieved July 8, 2010.
61. ^ a b "The Top 50 R&B / Hip-Hop Artists of the Past 25 Years". Billboard. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
62. ^ "Mary J. Blige, Lil Wayne And Diddy Debut 'Someone To Love Me'". Rapfix.mtv.com. December 13, 2010. Archived from the original on January 7, 2011. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
63. ^ "New Music: Mary J. Blige – 'The Living Proof'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved November 24, 2011.
64. ^ Blanco, Alvin (April 5, 2011). "Mary J. Blige Announces My Life Sequel Release Date — Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved November 24, 2011.
65. ^ "Mary J. Blige Readies 'My Life' Sequel for September". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved November 24, 2011.
66. ^ "The Year In R&B/Hip-Hop 2012: Drake, Nicki Minaj Among Year's Chart Champs". Billboard.com. December 14, 2012. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
67. ^ Mansfield, Brian (March 8, 2012). "Mary J. Blige sings 'Why'". USA Today. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
68. ^ Caulfield, Keith (December 11, 2013). "Garth Brooks Earns Ninth No. 1 Album, Britney Spears Debuts At No. 4". Billboard. Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
69. ^ "BLIGE TO SING ANTHEM BEFORE WORLD SERIES OPENER". Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
70. ^ "Disclosure Tease Mary J. Blige 'F For You' Video". Mtv.co.uk.
71. ^ Hampp, Andrew (May 1, 2014). "Mariah Carey Announces 14th Album, 'Me. I Am Mariah…The Elusive Chanteuse'". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
72. ^ Elysa Gardner (May 30, 2014). "New Mary J. Blige songs due on 'Think Like A Man Too'". USA Today. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
73. ^ a b Mendizabal, Amaya (June 26, 2014). "J.Lo Tops R&B/Hip Hop Albums, T.I. & Iggy Team Up for a Top 10 Hit". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
74. ^ "Sam Smith x Mary J. Blige – "Stay With Me" [Official Video] Okayplayer". Okayplayer. June 3, 2014. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
75. ^ "Mary J. Blige To Record New Album 'The London Sessions'". Vibe.com. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
76. ^ Gibsone, Harriet (August 29, 2014). "Mary J Blige: Mitch Winehouse 'gave me the chance to hug Amy through him'". the Guardian. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
77. ^ Schwartz, Danny (September 27, 2016). "Blige gives tough, intimidating questions to Hillary Clinton". Hotnewhiphop. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
78. ^ "Strength of a Woman by Mary J. Blige on Apple Music". iTunes. April 28, 2017. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
79. ^ "Mary J. Blige's 'Strength of a Woman' Tops R&B Albums Chart". Billboard.com. May 9, 2017. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
80. ^ "Mary J. Blige And Nas Announce First Ever Co-Headline North American Summer Tour". Livenationentertainment.com. April 16, 2019.
81. ^ "Mary J. Blige and Nas Show Us How to Keep 'Thriving' on Hot New Single". Ratedrnb.com. May 8, 2019.
82. ^ : "MaryJanes4MJB© on Instagram: "😍😍😍 Q U E E N !! #rp @beats1official - PREMIERE! @oldmanebro has the first play of @therealmaryjblige x @nas' #Thriving + Queen MJB gets…"". Instagram.com. Archived from the original on December 23, 2021.
83. ^ "BET Awards: Mary J. Blige to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award". The Hollywood Reporter. June 12, 2019. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
84. ^ O'Sullivan, Michael (June 24, 2021). "New movies to stream this week: 'Mary J. Blige's My Life,' 'Good on Paper' and more". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
85. ^ Clark, Kevin L. (January 21, 2022). "This Weekend: Here's What to Watch, Read, Listen to & Experience". BET. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
86. ^ "Mary J. Blige Announces New Album 'Good Morning Gorgeous'". Rap-Up. December 3, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
87. ^ "Five Epic Hitmakers Unite for PEPSI Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show". NFL.com. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
88. ^ Mary J Blige On Loving Herself, Dr Dre Collab, Memoir Release Date, Super Bowl Memes + More, February 17, 2022, retrieved February 17, 2022
89. ^ Lee, Cydney (March 7, 2022). "Mary J. Blige & Pepsi Announce Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit in Partnership With Live Nation Urban". Billboard. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
90. ^ "Mary J. Blige: The 100 Most Influential People of 2022". Time. May 23, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
91. ^ Montgomery, Daniel (September 3, 2022). "2022 Creative Arts Emmy winners list in all categories [UPDATING LIVE]". GoldDerby. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
92. ^ Rowley, Glenn (February 10, 2023). "Mariah Carey Drops 'It's a Wrap' EP After Song's Viral Revival". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
93. ^ Folk, Antwane (October 7, 2023). "Mary J Blige Releases Deluxe Edition of 'A Mary Christmas' Album". Rated R&B. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
94. ^ "A Mary Christmas (Anniversary Edition)". Spotify. October 6, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
95. ^ "Still Believe In Love". Spotify. October 27, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
96. ^ Jones, Okla (October 27, 2023). "Best New Music This Week: Mary J. Blige, Baby Tate, Brent Faiyaz And More". Essence. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
97. ^ Folk, Antwane (October 27, 2023). "Mary J. Blige Shares New Song 'Still Believe in Love' Featuring Vado". Rated R&B. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
98. ^ "I Can Do Bad All By Myself (2009)". Rottentomatoes.com. September 11, 2009.
99. ^ Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige Join NBC's 'The Wiz' Variety, Retrieved October 4, 2015
100. ^ "'How to Get Away With Murder': What Was Mary J Blige Doing to Annalise's Hair?". October 21, 2016.
101. ^ "#BlackGirlMagic at Sundance: 'Mudbound', Nia Long, Viola Davis and more". Nbcnews.com. January 28, 2017. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
102. ^ Setoodeh, Ramin; Lang, Brent (January 22, 2017). "Sundance: 'Mudbound' Premieres to Rapturous Standing Ovation and Oscar Buzz". Retrieved February 5, 2017.
103. ^ Willman, Chris (December 11, 2017). "Mary J. Blige Joins Illustrious Group of Golden Globes Double Music-Acting Nominees". Retrieved December 11, 2017.
104. ^ Savage, Mark (January 23, 2018). "Mary J Blige makes Oscars history". BBC News.
105. ^ Holmes, Linda (January 23, 2018). "Oscars 2018: The Complete List Of Nominees : Monkey See". NPR. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
106. ^ Madison Medeiros (January 19, 2018). "Netflix Mudbound Broke 4 Oscar Records Mostly For Women". Refinery29.com. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
107. ^ "'Mudbound' director Dee Rees shoots for the stars and gets her dream cast". LA Times. January 27, 2017. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
108. ^ Petski, Denise (August 16, 2018). "Mary J. Blige Joins MTV's 'Scream' For Season 3". Deadline. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
109. ^ Samhan, Jamie (June 24, 2019). "'Scream' Reboot Gets Trailer With Cameo From Paris Jackson". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on June 26, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
110. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 12, 2018). "Mary J. Blige To Co-Star In 'The Umbrella Academy' TV Series For Netflix". Deadline. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
111. ^ "Mary J. Blige to Star in Horror Thriller 'Body Cam' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. June 20, 2018.
112. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (June 27, 2019). "Mary J. Blige, Michael McKean, Odeya Rush, Evan Ross Board 'Pink Skies Ahead' Film At Stampede".
113. ^ Setoodeh, Ramin (January 15, 2020). "SXSW Film Festival to Include Movies From Issa Rae, Pete Davidson and Tiffany Haddish".
114. ^ Thorne, Will (July 26, 2019). "'Power' Spinoff Series 'Power Book II: Ghost' to Feature Mary J. Blige".
115. ^ Onley, Dawn (January 24, 2020). "Mary J. Blige in first image released promoting Power spinoff series".
116. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 18, 2019). "'Respect': MGM Aretha Franklin Biopic Rounds Out Cast With Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Mary J. Blige & More".
117. ^ "'Rob Peace': Mary J. Blige to Exec Produce, Star in Drama from Writer-Director Chiwetel Ejiofor". February 9, 2023.
118. ^ Mulkerrins, Jane (November 1, 2013). "Mary J Blige: 'The way I was living, I should have been dead'". Evening Standard. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
119. ^ Dotiwala, Jasmine (July 18, 2017). "10 reasons why Mary J Blige is one of life's warrior women". Metro. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
120. ^ Sullivan, Caroline (January 31, 2002). "'My boyfriend was trying to kill me. There were weapons'". The Guardian. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
121. ^ Yomary, Tatayana (February 3, 2023). "Meet the Men Privileged Enough to Date Mary J. Blige, the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul". Distractify. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
122. ^ "Mary J. Blige dating history: from Diddy to Tupac". Capital XTRA. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
123. ^ MaGee, Ny (January 31, 2020). "R&B Singer Case Reflects on His Past 'Affair' with Mary J. Blige [WATCH]". EURweb. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
124. ^ Reid, Shaheem. "Nas's ex Spills The Beans, T.I. Beats The Bootleggers". MTV. Archived from the original on September 11, 2011. Retrieved December 12, 2008.
125. ^ "No-Drama Nuptials". People. December 22, 2003. Archived from the original on September 12, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
126. ^ "Real Love: Mary J. Blige & Kendu Isaacs". Essence. December 16, 2009. Archived from the original on April 21, 2012. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
127. ^ "Mary J. Blige Files For Divorce From Husband/Manager". TMZ.com. July 28, 2016. Archived from the original on August 12, 2016. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
128. ^ "Mary J. Blige and Kendu Isaacs Are Officially Divorced". Entertainment Tonight. June 20, 2018.
129. ^ Appleford, Steve (September 7, 2012). "Mary J. Blige Sings for President Obama". Rolling Stone.
130. ^ Lemieux, Jamilah (October 7, 2019). "Mary J. Blige on Recovery, Healing, and Taking Care of Herself". SELF.
131. ^ Flemmon, Emil. "Mary J. Blige reveals why she's "good" on having children". REVOLT. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
132. ^ "Mary J. Blige gets candid about not having kids". TODAY.com. March 18, 2022. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
133. ^ "Mary J. Blige Brings A-List Guests to 'The Wine Down' (Exclusive)". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
134. ^ McBride, Paige (November 19, 2020). "The Truth About Taraji P. Henson's Friendship With Mary J. Blige". The List. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
135. ^ "Inside Mary J. Blige and Simone I. Smith's 'Night of Sisterhood' With Hollywood's A-List". Essence. December 6, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
136. ^ "Mary J. Blige Reflects On Her Friendship With Angie Martinez". BET. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
137. ^ "Mary J. Blige: Endorsement Deals, Interests, Charities". Booking Agent Info. Archived from the original on February 15, 2016. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
138. ^ "Nickelback & Mary J Blige Star in New Citi Cards Holiday Promotion". Citigroup.com. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
139. ^ "Mary J. Blige Introduces Her New Female Group Just'Us - Singersroom.com". July 5, 2012. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
140. ^ "Mary J. Blige, "Stronger With Each Tear"". Billboard.com. September 14, 2009. Retrieved July 8, 2010.
141. ^ "Mary J. Blige on Her New Fragrance: My Life — Beauty Industry and Products News". Wwd.com. April 30, 2010. Retrieved July 8, 2010.
142. ^ "Mary J. Blige Breaks HSN Record With 'My Life'". AOL Stylist. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
143. ^ "Mary J. Blige's fragrance, My Life, Breaks Sales Records on HSN". Totalbeauty.com. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
144. ^ "Fragrance Foundation's FiFI Awards Fete Fergie, Halle Berry". NYC New York. Archived from the original on November 27, 2015. Retrieved May 26, 2011.
145. ^ "Star Gazing: MJB Smells Sweet Success at FiFi Awards". Essence.com. May 26, 2011. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
146. ^ "Mary J. Blige launches "Melodies" sunglasses line w/ Mr. Iovine". WoooHa. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
147. ^ "Mary J. Blige Launches Sunglass Line 'Melodies'". Essence.com. June 6, 2010. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
148. ^ "Mary J. Blige and Simone Smith Launch Jewelry Line 'Sister Love' Exclusively at Essence Festival". Essence. October 23, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
149. ^ "Mary J. Blige Drops New Iconic Earring Collection in Celebration of Hip-Hop's 50th Anniversary". BET. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
150. ^ Bell, BreAnna (December 16, 2022). "Mary J. Blige's Blue Butterfly Productions Signs First and Second Look Deals with BET". Variety. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
151. ^ "Mary J. Blige's Blue Butterfly Productions Signs First and Second Look Deals with BET". IMDb. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
152. ^ "Inside Look: 'The Wine Down with Mary J. Blige' Premieres Tonight On BET". BET. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
153. ^ "Mary J. Blige Forms Her Own Record Label". MTV. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
154. ^ Folk, Antwane (September 16, 2022). "R&B Group WanMor Signs to Mary J. Blige's Beautiful Life Productions". Rated R&B. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
155. ^ "Mary J. Blige Talks New Beats, New Boo, And New Boots". BET. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
156. ^ 💎Mary J Blige On Signing Vado To Her Label. #bigtigga. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024 - via www.youtube.com.`{{cite AV media}}`: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
157. ^ Mary J. Blige Biography. billboard.com
158. ^ Brown, Ethan (September 20, 1999). "There's Something About Mary". Nymag.com. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
159. ^ "Blige blows Brum's socks off", Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
160. ^ What's the 411? – Mary J. Blige : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards. AllMusic. Retrieved on May 31, 2013.
161. ^ Music – Review of Mary J Blige – What's The 411?. BBC. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
162. ^ Mary J. Blige: Album Guide | Rolling Stone Music. Rollingstone.com. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
163. ^ Lindsey, Treva (Spring 2013). "If You Look in My Life: Love, Hip Hop Soul, and Contemporary African American Womanhood". African American Review: 90.
164. ^ a b Lindsey, Treva (Spring 2013). "If You Look in My Life: Love, Hip Hop Soul, and Contemporary African American Womanhood". African American Review: 91.
165. ^ 100 Greatest Artists of All Time Archived July 1, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. Blog.vh1.com (August 25, 2010). Retrieved May 21, 2012.
166. ^ "50 Most Influential RnB Stars — essence.com". Photos.essence.com. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved November 24, 2011.
167. ^ Gibson, Christina; Fultz, Ashley (January 13, 2011). "Which Famous Friend's B-Day Did Jay-Z and Beyoncé Celebrate?". E!. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
168. ^ TOURÉ (April 28, 2011). "Adele Opens Up About Her Inspirations, Looks and Stage Fright". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 5, 2021.(Subscription required.)
169. ^ "ADELE: Up close and personal". July 8, 2011. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
170. ^ Willman, Chris (August 23, 2015). "Mary J. Blige Hails Taylor Swift's 'Amazing Soul' After L.A. Concert Duet". Yahoo!Entertainment. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
171. ^ "Layton Greene On Signing To Quality Control & Kodak Black Sliding Into Her DM's". AllHipHop.com. Archived from the original on July 29, 2019. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
172. ^ "Cheryl Cole: My music isn't life-changing". The Belfast Telegraph. September 21, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
173. ^ Wete, Brad. "Interview: Teyana Taylor Talks Joining G.O.O.D. Music, Influencing Fashion & Being Doubted". complex.com/music/. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
174. ^ "5 questions for … KeKe Palmer | Ebony | Find Articles". Archived from the original on June 15, 2012. Retrieved July 12, 2012.
175. ^ Gracie, Bianca (March 27, 2015). "Jess Glynne Talks Breaking Out As A Solo Star, Her Forthcoming Debut LP & Dolly Parton: Idolator Interview". Archived from the original on January 27, 2024. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
176. ^ Wallace, Amy (January 6, 2015). "Sam Smith: The New Face of Soul". GQ Magazine. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
177. ^ Williams, Kyann-Sian (November 19, 2021). "Summer Walker: "I'm a vulnerable, open person. I'm really emotional and shit"". NME. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
178. ^ "K. Michelle Meets Mary J. Blige". Rap-Up. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
179. ^ Rihanna Shares a Tribute to Mary J. Blige -, June 24, 2019, retrieved April 1, 2023
180. ^ "Keyshia Cole: Calling All Hearts". hifimagazine.net. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
181. ^ [3] [permanent dead link‍]
182. ^ McNary, Dave (December 7, 2017). "Mary J. Blige to Be Honored by Palm Springs Festival for 'Mudbound'". Variety. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
183. ^ Aderoju, Darlene (February 23, 2021). "Mary J. Blige 'Surprised' Vice President Kamala Harris Used Her Song 'Work That' for Election Victory Speech". People.com. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
184. ^ "BOBBY BROWN BACK IN SWING". The Washington Post. December 25, 1992.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mary J. Blige.

* Official website
* Mary J. Blige at IMDb
* Mary J. Blige on Instagram

* v
* t
* e

Mary J. Blige

* Awards and nominations
* Discography
* Videography
* Songs

Studio albums|

* What's the 411?
* My Life
* Share My World
* Mary
* No More Drama
* Love & Life
* The Breakthrough
* Growing Pains
* Stronger with Each Tear
* My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1)
* A Mary Christmas
* The London Sessions
* Strength of a Woman
* Good Morning Gorgeous
* Gratitude

Soundtrack albums|

* Think Like a Man Too

Live albums|

* The Tour

Remix albums|

* What's the 411? Remix
* Dance for Me

Compilation albums|

* Ballads
* Mary J. Blige & Friends
* Reflections (A Retrospective)

Concert tours|

* Share My World Tour
* The Breakthrough Experience Tour
* Heart of the City Tour
* Growing Pains European Tour
* Music Saved My Life Tour
* The Liberation Tour
* The London Sessions Tour
* King and Queen of Hearts World Tour
* Strength of a Woman Tour

Films|

* Mary J. Blige's My Life

Other|

* Super Bowl XXXV halftime show
* Super Bowl LVI halftime show

* Category

* v
* t
* e

Mary J. Blige singles

* Discography
* Songs

1990s singles|

* "You Remind Me"
* "Real Love"
* "Reminisce"
* "Sweet Thing"
* "Love No Limit"
* "You Don't Have to Worry"
* "My Love"
* "Be Happy"
* "Mary Jane (All Night Long)"
* " I'm Goin' Down"
* "You Bring Me Joy"
* "I Love You"
* "Love Is All We Need"
* "I Can Love You"
* "Everything"
* "Missing You"
* "Seven Days"
* "As"
* "All That I Can Say"
* "Deep Inside"

2000s singles|

* "Your Child"
* "Give Me You"
* "Family Affair"
* "No More Drama"
* "Dance for Me"
* "Rainy Dayz"
* "Love @ 1st Sight"
* "Ooh!"
* "Not Today"
* "Whenever I Say Your Name"
* "MJB da MVP"
* "Be Without You"
* "One"
* "Enough Cryin"
* "Take Me As I Am"
* "We Ride (I See the Future)"
* "Just Fine"
* "Work That"
* "Stay Down"
* "The One"
* "I Am"

2010s singles|

* "Each Tear"
* "We Got Hood Love"
* "Ain't Nobody"
* "25/8"
* "Don't Mind"
* "Mr. Wrong"
* "Why"
* "Love a Woman"
* "Someone to Love Me (Naked)"
* "Do You Hear What I Hear?"
* "This Christmas"
* "Suitcase"
* "Doubt"
* "Right Now"
* "Therapy"
* "Whole Damn Year"
* "Thick of It"
* "U + Me (Love Lesson)"
* "Love Yourself"
* "Set Me Free"
* "Only Love"
* "Thriving"
* "Know"

2020s singles|

* "Good Morning Gorgeous"
* "Amazing"
* "Still Believe in Love"
* "Breathing"
* "You Ain't the Only One"

Soundtracks|

* "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman"
* "Not Gon' Cry"
* "Stronger"
* "The Living Proof"

Guest appearances|

* "911"
* "Ain't No Way"
* "America's Song"
* "Bridge over Troubled Water"
* "Can't Knock the Hustle"
* "Disrespectful"
* "F for You" (Remix)
* "Hands"
* "I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By"
* "I'm a Hustla" (Remix)
* "IfULeave"
* "It's a Wrap" (Remix)
* "Come Close"
* "Just Stand Up!"
* "Lean on Me"
* "Magic Touch" (NYC Remix)
* "Remember Me"
* "Runaway Love"
* "Stay with Me" (Remix)
* "Touch It" (Remix)
* "Wake Up Call" (Mark Ronson Remix)
* "What Child Is This"
* "Where's the Love?"

* Category

Awards for Mary J. Blige

* v
* t
* e

American Music Award for Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Artist

* DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (1989)
* MC Hammer (1990)
* MC Hammer (1991)
* MC Hammer (1992)
* Sir Mix-a-Lot (1993)
* Dr. Dre (1994)
* Snoop Dogg (1995)
* Coolio (1996)
* Tupac Shakur (1997)
* Bone Thugs-n-Harmony (1998)
* Master P (1999)
* DMX (2000)
* Dr. Dre (2001)
* Nelly (2002)
* Eminem / Mary J. Blige (2003)
* 50 Cent / Missy Elliott (2003)
* Jay-Z (2004)
* Eminem / Missy Elliott (2005)
* Eminem (2006)
* T.I. (2007)
* Kanye West (2008)
* Jay-Z (2009)
* Eminem (2010)
* Nicki Minaj (2011)
* Nicki Minaj (2012)
* Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (2013)
* Iggy Azalea (2014)
* Nicki Minaj (2015)
* Drake (2016)
* Drake (2017)
* Cardi B (2018)
* Cardi B (2019)
* Juice Wrld / Nicki Minaj (2020)
* Drake / Megan Thee Stallion (2021)

* v
* t
* e

American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist

* Roberta Flack (1974)
* Diana Ross (1975)
* Aretha Franklin (1976)
* Aretha Franklin (1977)
* Natalie Cole (1978)
* Natalie Cole (1979)
* Donna Summer (1980)
* Diana Ross (1981)
* Stephanie Mills (1982)
* Diana Ross (1983)
* Aretha Franklin (1984)
* Tina Turner (1985)
* Aretha Franklin (1986)
* Whitney Houston (1987)
* Anita Baker (1988)
* Whitney Houston (1989)
* Anita Baker (1990)
* Janet Jackson (1991)
* Mariah Carey (1992)
* Patti LaBelle (1993)
* Whitney Houston (1994)
* Anita Baker (1995)
* Mariah Carey (1996)
* Toni Braxton (1997)
* Mariah Carey (1998)
* Janet Jackson (1999)
* Lauryn Hill (2000)
* Toni Braxton (2001)
* Aaliyah (2002)
* Mary J. Blige (2003)
* Aaliyah (2003)
* Alicia Keys (2004)
* Mariah Carey (2005)
* Mary J. Blige (2006)
* Rihanna (2007)
* Rihanna (2008)
* Beyoncé (2009)
* Rihanna (2010)
* Beyoncé (2011)
* Beyoncé (2012)
* Rihanna (2013)
* Beyoncé (2014)
* Rihanna (2015)
* Rihanna (2016)
* Beyoncé (2017)
* Rihanna (2018)
* Beyoncé (2019)
* Doja Cat (2020)
* Doja Cat (2021)
* Beyoncé (2022)

* v
* t
* e

BET Award for Best Collaboration

* Snoop Dogg, Pharrell Williams and Charlie Wilson (2003)
* Beyoncé and Jay-Z (2004)
* Ciara and Missy Elliott (2005)
* Kanye West and Jamie Foxx (2006)
* Ludacris and Mary J. Blige (2007)
* Kanye West and T-Pain (2008)
* Jamie Foxx and T-Pain (2009)
* Jay-Z and Alicia Keys (2010)
* Chris Brown, Busta Rhymes and Lil Wayne (2011)
* Wale and Miguel (2012)
* ASAP Rocky, Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar (2013)
* Beyoncé and Jay-Z (2014)
* Common and John Legend (2015)
* Rihanna and Drake (2016)
* Chance the Rapper, 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne (2017)
* DJ Khaled, Rihanna and Bryson Tiller (2018)
* Travis Scott and Drake (2019)
* Chris Brown and Drake (2020)
* Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion (2021)
* Wizkid, Justin Bieber and Tems (2022)
* Future, Drake and Tems (2023)
* Lil Durk and J. Cole (2024)

* v
* t
* e

BET Award for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist

* Mary J. Blige (2001)
* India Arie (2002)
* India Arie (2003)
* Beyoncé (2004)
* Alicia Keys (2005)
* Mary J. Blige (2006)
* Beyoncé (2007)
* Alicia Keys (2008)
* Beyoncé (2009)
* Alicia Keys (2010)
* Rihanna (2011)
* Beyoncé (2012)
* Rihanna (2013)
* Beyoncé (2014)
* Beyoncé (2015)
* Beyoncé (2016)
* Beyoncé (2017)
* Beyoncé (2018)
* Beyoncé (2019)
* Lizzo (2020)
* H.E.R. (2021)
* Jazmine Sullivan (2022)
* SZA (2023)
* SZA (2024)

* v
* t
* e

BET Award for Video of the Year

2000s|

* "Ms. Jackson" – OutKast (2001)
* "Pass the Courvoisier, Part II" – Busta Rhymes (2002)
* "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)" – Erykah Badu (2003)
* "Hey Ya!" – OutKast (2004)
* "Jesus Walks" – Kanye West (2005)
* "Be Without You" – Mary J. Blige / "Gold Digger" – Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx (2006)
* "Irreplaceable" – Beyoncé (2007)
* "International Players Anthem (I Choose You)" – UGK (2008)
* "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" – Beyoncé (2009)

2010s|

* "Video Phone" – Beyoncé featuring Lady Gaga (2010)
* "Look at Me Now" – Chris Brown (2011)
* "Otis" – Jay-Z and Kanye West featuring Otis Redding (2012)
* "Started from the Bottom" – Drake (2013)
* "Happy" – Pharrell Williams (2014)
* "7/11" – Beyoncé (2015)
* "Formation" – Beyoncé (2016)
* "Sorry" – Beyoncé / "24K Magic" – Bruno Mars (2017)
* "God's Plan" – Drake (2018)
* "This Is America" – Childish Gambino (2019)

2020s|

* "Higher" – DJ Khaled featuring Nipsey Hussle and John Legend (2020)
* "WAP" – Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion (2021)
* "Family Ties" – Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar / "Smokin out the Window" – Silk Sonic (2022)
* "Kill Bill" – SZA (2023)
* "On My Mama" – Victoria Monét (2024)

* v
* t
* e

BET Her Award

* Anthony Hamilton (2006)
* Gerald Levert (2007)
* Raheem DeVaughn (2008)
* Jazmine Sullivan (2009)
* Monica (2010)
* Marsha Ambrosius (2011)
* Common (2012)
* Tamar Braxton (2013)
* Jhené Aiko (2014)
* The Weeknd (2015)
* Beyoncé (2016)
* Solange (2017)
* Mary J. Blige (2018)
* H.E.R. (2019)
* Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, Wizkid and Saint Jhn (2020)
* SZA (2021)
* Mary J. Blige (2022)
* Beyoncé (2023)
* Victoria Monét (2024)

* v
* t
* e

Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album

2000s|

* Ashanti –  Ashanti (2002)
* Dangerously in Love – Beyoncé (2003)
* Confessions – Usher (2004)
* The Emancipation of Mimi – Mariah Carey (2005)
* B'Day – Beyoncé (2006)
* Because of You – Ne-Yo (2007)
* Growing Pains – Mary J. Blige (2008)
* I Am... Sasha Fierce – Beyoncé (2009)

2010s|

* Raymond v. Raymond – Usher (2010)

* v
* t
* e

Grammy Award for Best R&B Album

1990s|

* II – Boyz II Men (1994)
* CrazySexyCool – TLC (1995)
* Words – Tony Rich (1996)
* Baduizm – Erykah Badu (1997)
* The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill – Lauryn Hill (1998)
* FanMail – TLC (1999)

2000s|

* Voodoo – D'Angelo (2000)
* Songs in A Minor – Alicia Keys (2001)
* Voyage to India – India Arie (2002)
* Dance with My Father – Luther Vandross (2003)
* The Diary of Alicia Keys – Alicia Keys (2004)
* Get Lifted – John Legend (2005)
* The Breakthrough – Mary J. Blige (2006)
* Funk This – Chaka Khan (2007)
* Jennifer Hudson – Jennifer Hudson (2008)
* BLACKsummers'night – Maxwell (2009)

2010s|

* Wake Up! – John Legend and The Roots (2010)
* F.A.M.E. – Chris Brown (2011)
* Black Radio – Robert Glasper (2012)
* Girl on Fire – Alicia Keys (2013)
* Love, Marriage & Divorce – Toni Braxton and Babyface (2014)
* Black Messiah – D'Angelo & The Vanguard (2015)
* Lalah Hathaway Live – Lalah Hathaway (2016)
* 24K Magic – Bruno Mars (2017)
* H.E.R. – H.E.R. (2018)
* Ventura – Anderson .Paak (2019)

2020s|

* Bigger Love – John Legend (2020)
* Heaux Tales – Jazmine Sullivan (2021)
* Black Radio III – Robert Glasper (2022)
* Jaguar II – Victoria Monét (2023)
* 11:11 (Deluxe) – Chris Brown (2024)

* v
* t
* e

Grammy Award for Best R&B Song

1960s|

* "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" – Otis Redding & Steve Cropper (songwriters) (1968)
* "Color Him Father" – Richard Lewis Spencer (songwriter) (1969)

1970s|

* "Patches" – Ronald Dunbar & General Johnson (songwriters) (1970)
* "Ain't No Sunshine" – Bill Withers (songwriter) (1971)
* "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" – Barrett Strong & Norman Whitfield (songwriters) (1972)
* "Superstition" – Stevie Wonder (songwriter) (1973)
* "Living for the City" – Stevie Wonder (songwriter) (1974)
* "Where Is the Love" – Harry Wayne Casey, Willie Clarke, Richard Finch & Betty Wright (songwriters) (1975)
* "Lowdown" – Boz Scaggs & David Paich (songwriters) (1976)
* "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing" – Leo Sayer & Vini Poncia (songwriters) (1977)
* "Last Dance" – Paul Jabara (songwriter) (1978)
* "After the Love Has Gone" – David Foster, Jay Graydon & Bill Champlin (songwriters) (1979)

1980s|

* "Never Knew Love Like This Before" – Reggie Lucas & James Mtume (songwriters) (1980)
* "Just the Two of Us" – Bill Withers, William Salter & Ralph MacDonald (songwriters) (1981)
* "Turn Your Love Around" – Jay Graydon, Steve Lukather & Bill Champlin (songwriters) (1982)
* "Billie Jean" – Michael Jackson (songwriter) (1983)
* "I Feel for You" – Prince (songwriter) (1984)
* "Freeway of Love" – Jeffrey E. Cohen & Narada Michael Walden (songwriters) (1985)
* "Sweet Love" – Anita Baker, Louis A. Johnson & Gary Bias (songwriters) (1986)
* "Lean on Me" – Bill Withers (songwriter) (1987)
* "Giving You the Best That I Got" – Anita Baker, Randy Holland & Skip Scarborough (songwriters) (1988)
* "If You Don't Know Me by Now" – Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff (songwriters) (1989)

1990s|

* "U Can't Touch This" – MC Hammer, Rick James & Alonzo Miller (songwriters) (1990)
* "Power of Love/Love Power" – Marcus Miller, Luther Vandross & Teddy Vann (songwriters) (1991)
* "End of the Road" – Babyface, L.A. Reid & Daryl Simmons (songwriters) (1992)
* "That's the Way Love Goes" – Janet Jackson,  Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis (songwriters) (1993)
* "I'll Make Love to You" – Babyface (songwriter) (1994)
* "For Your Love" – Stevie Wonder (songwriter) (1995)
* "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" – Babyface (songwriter) (1996)
* "I Believe I Can Fly" – R. Kelly (songwriter) (1997)
* "Doo Wop (That Thing)" – Lauryn Hill (songwriter) (1998)
* "No Scrubs" – Kandi Burruss, Kevin Briggs & Tameka Cottle (songwriters) (1999)

2000s|

* "Say My Name" – Beyoncé, Rodney Jerkins, LaShawn Daniels, Fred Jerkins III, LeToya Luckett, LaTavia Roberson & Kelly Rowland (songwriters) (2000)
* "Fallin'" – Alicia Keys (songwriter) (2001)
* "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)" – Erykah Badu, Glenn Standridge, James Poyser, Madukwu Chinwah, Raphael Saadiq, Lonnie Lynn & Robert Ozuna (songwriters) (2002)
* "Crazy in Love" – Beyoncé, Shawn Carter & Rich Harrison (songwriters) (2003)
* "You Don't Know My Name" – Alicia Keys, Harold Lilly & Kanye West (songwriters) (2004)
* "We Belong Together" – Mariah Carey, Johntá Austin, Manuel Seal Jr. & Jermaine Dupri (songwriters) (2005)
* "Be Without You" – Bryan-Michael Cox, Jason Perry, Johntá Austin & Mary J. Blige (songwriters) (2006)
* "No One" – Alicia Keys, George M. Harry & Kerry "Krucial" Brothers (songwriters) (2007)
* "Miss Independent" – Mikkel Eriksen, Tor Hermansen & Ne-Yo (songwriters) (2008)
* "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" – Thaddis "Kuk" Harrell, Beyoncé Knowles, Terius Nash & Christopher Stewart (songwriters) (2009)

2010s|

* "Shine" – John Legend (songwriter) (2010)
* "Fool for You" – CeeLo Green, Melanie Fiona & Jack Splash (songwriters) (2011)
* "Adorn" – Miguel Pimentel (songwriter) (2012)
* "Pusher Love Girl" – James Fauntleroy, Jerome Harmon, Timothy Mosley & Justin Timberlake (songwriters) (2013)
* "Drunk in Love" – Shawn Carter, Rasool Diaz, Noel Fisher, Jerome Harmon, Beyoncé Knowles, Timothy Mosley, Andre Eric Proctor & Brian Soko (songwriters) (2014)
* "Really Love" – D'Angelo, Gina Figueroa & Kendra Foster (songwriters) (2015)
* "Lake by the Ocean" – Hod David & Musze (songwriters) (2016)
* "That's What I Like" – Christopher Brody Brown, James Fauntleroy, Philip Lawrence, Bruno Mars, Ray Charles McCullough II, Jeremy Reeves, Ray Romulus & Jonathan Yip (songwriters) (2017)
* "Boo'd Up" – Larrance Dopson, Joelle James, Ella Mai & Dijon McFarlane (songwriters) (2018)
* "Say So" – PJ Morton (songwriter) (2019)

2020s|

* "Better Than I Imagined" – Robert Glasper, Meshell Ndegeocello & Gabriella Wilson (songwriters) (2020)
* "Leave the Door Open" – Brandon Anderson, Christopher Brody Brown, Dernst Emile II & Bruno Mars (songwriters) (2021)
* "Cuff It" – Denisia "Blu June" Andrews, Beyoncé, Brittany "Chi" Coney, Terius "The-Dream" Gesteelde-Diamant, Morten Ristorp, Nile Rodgers & Raphael Saadiq (songwriters) (2022)
* "Snooze" – Kenny B. Edmonds, Blair Ferguson, Khris Riddick-Tynes, Solána Rowe & Leon Thomas III (songwriters) (2023)
* "Saturn" – Rob Bisel, Carter Lang, Solána Rowe, Jared Solomon & Scott Zhang (songwriters) (2024)

* v
* t
* e

MTV Video Music Award for Best R&B Video

1990s|

* En Vogue – "Free Your Mind" (1993)
* Salt-N-Pepa with En Vogue – "Whatta Man" (1994)
* TLC – "Waterfalls" (1995)
* Fugees – "Killing Me Softly" (1996)
* Puff Daddy featuring Faith Evans and 112 – "I'll Be Missing You" (1997)
* Wyclef Jean featuring Refugee Allstars – "Gone till November" (1998)
* Lauryn Hill – "Doo Wop (That Thing)" (1999)

2000s|

* Destiny's Child – "Say My Name" (2000)
* Destiny's Child – "Survivor" (2001)
* Mary J. Blige – "No More Drama" (2002)
* Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z – "Crazy in Love" (2003)
* Alicia Keys – "If I Ain't Got You" (2004)
* Alicia Keys – "Karma" (2005)
* Beyoncé featuring Slim Thug and Bun B – "Check on It" (2006)

2010s|

* Normani featuring 6LACK – "Waves" (2019)

2020s|

* The Weeknd – "Blinding Lights" (2020)
* Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, and Silk Sonic – "Leave the Door Open" (2021)
* The Weeknd – "Out of Time" (2022)
* SZA – "Shirt" (2023)
* SZA – "Snooze" (2024)

Between 2007–2018, the category was retired.

* v
* t
* e

NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Album

1980s|

* Bad – Michael Jackson (1987)
* Giving You the Best That I Got – Anita Baker (1988)
* Back on the Block – Quincy Jones (1989)

1990s|

* No Award (1990)
* Power of Love – Luther Vandross (1991)
* Boomerang: Original Soundtrack Album – Various Artists (1992)
* The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album – Whitney Houston (1993)
* No Award (1994)
* Waiting to Exhale: Original Soundtrack Album – Whitney Houston (1995)
* The Preacher's Wife: Original Soundtrack Album – Whitney Houston (1996)
* Soul Food – Various Artists (1997)
* The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill – Lauryn Hill (1998)
* The Best Man: Music from the Motion Picture – Various Artists (1999)

2000s|

* At the Close of a Century – Stevie Wonder (2000)
* Songs in A Minor – Alicia Keys (2001)
* The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin – Kirk Franklin (2002)
* Dance with My Father – Luther Vandross (2003)
* Musicology – Prince (2004)
* The Emancipation of Mimi – Mariah Carey (2005)
* Dreamgirls: Music from the Motion Picture – Various Artists (2006)
* As I Am – Alicia Keys (2007)
* Jennifer Hudson – Jennifer Hudson (2008)
* Stronger with Each Tear – Mary J. Blige (2009)

2010s|

* Wake Up! – John Legend and The Roots (2010)
* I Remember Me – Jennifer Hudson (2011)
* I Will Always Love You: The Best of Whitney Houston – Whitney Houston (2012)
* Love, Charlie – Charlie Wilson (2013)
* Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics – Aretha Franklin (2014)
* Woman – Jill Scott (2015)
* Lemonade – Beyoncé (2016)
* DAMN. – Kendrick Lamar (2017)
* Ella Mai – Ella Mai (2018)
* Homecoming: The Live Album – Beyoncé (2019)

2020s|

* Chilombo – Jhené Aiko (2020)
* Heaux Tales – Jazmine Sullivan (2021)
* Renaissance – Beyoncé (2022)
* Jaguar II – Victoria Monét (2023)
* Cowboy Carter – Beyoncé (2024)

* v
* t
* e

NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration

Duo or Group
(1979–2007)|

* The Jacksons (1979)
* The Commodores (1980)
* Kool & the Gang (1981)
* Gladys Knight & the Pips (1982)
* No Award (1983–1985)
* Atlantic Starr (1986)
* Gladys Knight & the Pips (1987)
* LeVert (1988)
* After 7 (1989)
* No Award (1990)
* The O'Jays (1991)
* Boyz II Men (1992)
* En Vogue (1993)
* No Award (1994)
* Boyz II Men (1995)
* Kirk Franklin (1996)
* Boyz II Men (1997)
* Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey (1998)
* Destiny's Child (1999)
* Destiny's Child (2000)
* Destiny's Child (2001)
* India Arie and Stevie Wonder (2002)
* Outkast (2003)
* Destiny's Child (2004)
* Destiny's Child (2005)
* The Cheetah Girls (2006)
* Eddie Levert and Gerald Levert (2007)

Duo, Group or
Collaboration
(2008–2019)|

* Jennifer Hudson and Fantasia (2008)
* Black Eyed Peas (2009)
* John Legend and The Roots (2010)
* Mary J. Blige and Drake (2011)
* Mary Mary (2012)
* Robin Thicke, T.I., and Pharrell (2013)
* Sam Smith and Mary J. Blige (2014)
* Empire Cast featuring Estelle and Jussie Smollett (2015)
* Beyoncé featuring Kendrick Lamar (2016)
* Kendrick Lamar featuring Rihanna (2017)
* Kendrick Lamar and SZA (2018)
* Blue Ivy, Saint Jhn, Beyoncé, and Wizkid (2019)

Contemporary
(2020–present)|

* Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé (2020)
* Tobe Nwigwe featuring Fat Nwigwe (2021)
* Chris Brown featuring Wizkid (2022)
* Chris Brown featuring Davido and Lojay (2023)
* Wizkid featuring Brent Faiyaz (2024)

Traditional
(2020–present)|

* Chloe x Halle (2020)
* Silk Sonic (2021)
* Silk Sonic (2022)
* Ciara and Chris Brown (2023)
* Adam Blackstone and Fantasia (2024)

* v
* t
* e

NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Female Artist

1970s|

* Dionne Warwick (1979)

1980s|

* Aretha Franklin (1982)
* Anita Baker (1985)
* Aretha Franklin (1986)
* Natalie Cole (1987)
* Stephanie Mills (1988)
* Anita Baker (1989)

1990s|

* Natalie Cole (1991)
* Vanessa Williams (1992)
* Whitney Houston (1993)
* Whitney Houston (1995)
* Toni Braxton (1996)
* Erykah Badu (1997)
* Lauryn Hill (1998)
* Whitney Houston (1999)

2000s|

* Yolanda Adams (2000)
* Aaliyah (2001)
* India Arie (2002)
* Alicia Keys (2003)
* Fantasia (2004)
* Alicia Keys (2005)
* Mary J. Blige (2006)
* Alicia Keys (2007)
* Beyoncé (2008)
* Mary J. Blige (2009)

2010s|

* Mary J. Blige (2010)
* Jill Scott (2011)
* Alicia Keys (2012)
* Beyoncé (2013)
* Beyoncé (2014)
* Jill Scott (2015)
* Beyoncé (2016)
* Mary J. Blige (2017)
* H.E.R. (2018)
* Beyoncé (2019)

2020s|

* Beyoncé (2020)
* Jazmine Sullivan (2021)
* Beyoncé (2022)
* H.E.R. (2023)
* Beyoncé (2024)

* v
* t
* e

NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Music Video

1990s|

* "Unforgettable" – Natalie Cole (1991)
* "Black or White" – Michael Jackson (1992)
* "I'm Every Woman" – Whitney Houston (1993)
* No Award (1994)
* "Waterfalls" – TLC (1995)
* "I Believe I Can Fly" – R. Kelly (1996)
* "Stomp" – God's Property (1997)
* "Just the Two of Us" – Will Smith (1998)
* "Wild Wild West" – Will Smith (1999)

2000s|

* "I Wish" – R. Kelly (2000)
* "You Rock My World" – Michael Jackson (2001)
* "Little Things" – India Arie (2002)
* "Dance with My Father" – Luther Vandross (2003)
* "If I Ain't Got You" – Alicia Keys (2004)
* "Unbreakable" – Alicia Keys (2005)
* "Be Without You" – Mary J. Blige (2006)
* "Like You'll Never See Me Again" – Alicia Keys (2007)
* "Yes We Can" – will.i.am (2008)
* "I Look to You" – Whitney Houston (2009)

2010s|

* "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" – Alicia Keys (2010)
* "Where You At?" – Jennifer Hudson (2011)
* "Girl on Fire" – Alicia Keys (2012)
* "Q.U.E.E.N." – Janelle Monáe featuring Erykah Badu (2013)
* "You & I (Nobody in the World)" – John Legend (2014)
* "Shame" – Tyrese Gibson (2015)
* "Formation" – Beyoncé (2016)
* "That's What I Like" – Bruno Mars (2017)
* "This Is America" – Childish Gambino (2018)
* "Juice" – Lizzo (2019)

2020s|

* "Brown Skin Girl" – Beyoncé, Saint Jhn, and Wizkid featuring Blue Ivy Carter (2020)
* "Essence" – Wizkid featuring Tems (2021)
* "Lift Me Up" – Rihanna (2022)
* "Sensational" – Chris Brown featuring Davido & Lojay (2023)
* "Not Like Us" – Kendrick Lamar (2024)

* v
* t
* e

NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

1990s|

* Fatima Faloye (1995)
* No Award (1996)
* Lynn Whitfield (1997)
* Ruby Dee (1998)
* Rosa Parks (1999)

2000s|

* Loretta Devine (2000)
* Debbi Morgan (2001)
* Loretta Devine (2002)
* Loretta Devine (2003)
* Khandi Alexander (2004)
* S. Epatha Merkerson (2005)
* Chandra Wilson (2006)
* Chandra Wilson (2007)
* Angela Bassett (2008)
* S. Epatha Merkerson (2009)

2010s|

* S. Epatha Merkerson (2010)
* Archie Panjabi (2011)
* Loretta Devine (2012)
* Taraji P. Henson (2013)
* Khandi Alexander (2014)
* Regina King (2015)
* Naturi Naughton (2016)
* Naturi Naughton (2017)
* Lynn Whitfield (2018)
* Lynn Whitfield (2019)

2020s|

* Mary J. Blige (2020)
* Mary J. Blige (2021)
* Loretta Devine (2022)
* Gail Bean (2023)
* Lynn Whitfield (2024)

* v
* t
* e

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – Class of 2024

Performers|

* Mary J. Blige
* Cher
* Dave Matthews Band (Carter Beauford, Jeff Coffin, Stefan Lessard, Dave Matthews, LeRoi Moore, Tim Reynolds, Rashawn Ross, Boyd Tinsley)
* Foreigner (Dennis Elliott, Ed Gagliardi, Lou Gramm, Al Greenwood, Mick Jones, Ian McDonald, Rick Wills)
* Peter Frampton
* Kool & the Gang (Robert "Kool" Bell, Ronald Bell, George Brown, Robert "Spike" Mickens, Claydes Charles Smith, James "J.T." Taylor, Dennis "Dee Tee" Thomas, Ricky Westfield)
* Ozzy Osbourne
* A Tribe Called Quest (Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Phife Dawg, Q-Tip, Jarobi White)

Non-performers
(Ahmet Ertegun Award)|

* Suzanne de Passe

Award for Musical Excellence|

* Jimmy Buffett
* MC5 (Michael Davis, Wayne Kramer, Fred "Sonic" Smith, Dennis Thompson, Rob Tyner)
* Dionne Warwick
* Norman Whitfield

Award for Musical Influence|

* Alexis Korner
* John Mayall
* Big Mama Thornton

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF
* FAST
* WorldCat

National|

* Germany
* United States
* France
* BnF data
* Czech Republic
* Netherlands
* Norway
* Korea
* Poland
* Israel

Artists|

* MusicBrainz
* Grammy Awards
* Emmy Awards

Other|

* IdRef
* SNAC

*[m.]: married
*[div.]: divorced
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template