Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige is a neo-soul artist from Yonkers, New York.
The "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul": Yonkers singer who brought hip-hop beats and attitude to R&B.
Who is Mary J. Blige?
Mary J. Blige is a singer and songwriter who was born in The Bronx and grew up in Yonkers, New York.
Known for
Her debut What's the 411? (1992), executive produced by Sean "Puffy" Combs, with "Real Love", and the deeply personal My Life (1994). Later hits included "Family Affair" (2001) and "Be Without You" (2005). She has won nine Grammys and performed at the 2022 Super Bowl halftime show.
Style
A raw, emotional voice over hard hip-hop beats. Her songs about pain, love and survival feel like confessions.
Impact
Mary J. Blige invented hip-hop soul, the bridge between R&B singing and hip-hop production that dominated the '90s. Many singers since have followed her template.
Mary J. Blige: quick answers
What genre is Mary J. Blige?
Mary J. Blige’s music falls under Neo-Soul. Mary J. Blige is part of East Coast hip-hop, with the most important work in the 1990s and 2000s.
Where is Mary J. Blige from?
Mary J. Blige is from Yonkers, New York.
When did Mary J. Blige start?
Mary J. Blige has been active since 1988.
Which artists are similar to Mary J. Blige?
If you like Mary J. Blige, listen to Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill and TLC.
