Mary J. Blige
Born 11/01/1971
(53 years old)
Yonkers, New York, USA
Biography
MARY J. BLIGE has been an empowering presence ever since her 1992 mutli-platinum debut album, What's the 411? And, in the ensuing years, the singer/songwriter's music has attracted an intensely loyal fan base responsible for propelling worldwide sales of more than 50 million albums.
With a track record of eight multi-platinum albums, nine Grammy Awards (plus a staggering 29 nominations), a 2012 Golden Globe Award nomination, and four American Music Awards, Blige most returned for her tenth studio album, the aptly titled My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1), a sequel to her 1994 classic, My Life. My Life II... debuted at number five on the Billboard 200, and received critical acclaim. Providing the album's cornerstone, the song "The Living Proof" is also featured on the soundtrack from the award-winning film "The Help," and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song – Motion Picture.
On Blige's up-tempo chart-climber from the album, "Mr. Wrong," she goes toe-to-toe with Drake; My Life II... also features guest turns from such artists as Nas, Busta Rhymes and Rick Ross, and a first-time paring with Beyoncé on the diva-licious "Love a Woman." To help map out her Life journey, Blige collaborated with such intuitive producers as Jim Jonsin, Rico Love, Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis, Danja, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Sean Garrett, Tricky Stewart and the Underdogs.
Born in the Bronx, New York, Blige began moving people with her soulful voice when, at 18, she signed with Andrew Harrell's Uptown Records in 1989, becoming the MCA-distributed label's youngest and first female artist. Influenced at an early age by the music of Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan and Gladys Knight, Blige brought her own gritty, urban-rooted style— fusing hip-hop, soul and honest, frank lyrics—to the forefront on her 1992 debut album, What's the 411? The multi-platinum set, executive produced by Sean "Diddy" Combs, quickly spun off several hits, including two R&B number ones: "You Remind Me" and "Real Love."
Earning the nickname the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, Blige began forging a unique niche for herself on her more personal second album, 1994's My Life. Co-writing a major portion of the album this time around, Blige reaped such hits and signature songs as "Be Happy" and a cover of Rose Royce's 1976 hit "I'm Goin' Down." At the time, she was dealing with several serious issues in her life, including drug addiction, alcoholism and an abusive relationship.
Each subsequent album plays like a chapter from an autobiography: Share My World (1997), Mary (1999), No More Drama (2001), Love & Life (2003), the multiple Grammy-winning and hit-spewing The Breakthrough (2005), Growing Pains (2007) and Stronger with Each Tear (2009). Along the way, she's lined up a string of hit singles, including "Not Gon' Cry," "Love Is All We Need," "Seven Days," "All That I Can Say," "Family Affair" and "Just Fine."
Music isn't the only thing keeping Blige busy. Flexing her talents as an entrepreneur, Blige launched her Melody line of sunglasses in 2009. In 2010, her "My Life" perfume became the first to sell more than 60,000 bottles in one day on the Home Shopping Network. A second perfume, "My Life Blossom," was introduced in summer 2011. Blige, who co-penned "I Can See in Color" for 2009's "Precious" soundtrack, is also ramping up her acting career.
© 2012 New Line Cinema
Actress
Movies | |
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2024 |
Rob Peace |
2021 |
Respect |
2020 |
Body Cam |
Pink Skies Ahead |
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The Violent Heart |
|
Trolls World Tour |
|
2018 |
Sherlock Gnomes |
2017 |
Mudbound |
2015 |
The Wiz Live! (TV movie) |
2013 |
Betty and Coretta (TV movie) |
Black Nativity |
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2012 |
Rock of Ages |
2009 |
I Can Do Bad All by Myself |
2001 |
Prison Song |
Video compilation | |
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2009 |
The Shooter Series: Vol. 1 |
Short | |
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2004 |
Shark Tale: Gettin' Fishy with It (TV movie) |