Mary J. Blige, Entertainment Icon Honor


Mary J. Blige is one of the defining voices of the contemporary music era. With a track record of eight multi-platinum albums, nine Grammy Awards (plus a staggering 32 nominations), an EMMY award, two Academy Award nominations, two Golden Globe nominations, and a SAG nomination, among many other accolades, Blige has cemented herself as a global superstar. Influenced at an early age by the music of Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, and Gladys Knight, Blige brought her own gritty, urban-rooted styleโ€”fusing hip-hop, soul, and honest, frank lyricsโ€”to the forefront on her 1992 debut album โ€œWhat’s the 411?โ€ The multi-platinum set quickly spun off several hits, including two No. R&B No. 1s: โ€œYou Remind Meโ€ and โ€œReal Love.โ€ Blige helped redefine R&B and began forging a unique niche for herself on the more personal second album, 1994’s โ€œMy Life.โ€ She is loved for her passionate, chart-topping hits like “Be Without You,” “No More Drama,” and “Family Affair,” all of which have made her a force in music. Over her career, Blige has released 15 studio albums, in addition to starring in films and television programs such as โ€œMudboundโ€, โ€œThe Umbrella Academyโ€, โ€œRespectโ€, โ€œPower Book II: Ghostโ€ and more.