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41982

Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige's Genre:

Contemporary R&B, R&B, Adult Contemporary R&B

Biography

When her debut album, What's the 411?, hit the street in 1992, critics and fans alike were floored by its powerful combination of modern R&B with an edgy rap sound that glanced off of the pain and grit of Mary J. Blige's Yonkers, New York childhood. Called alternately the new Chaka Khan or new Aretha Franklin, Blige had little in common stylistically with either of those artists, but like them, she helped adorn soul music with new textures and flavors that inspired a whole generation of musicians. With her blonde hair, self-preserving slouch, and combat boots, Blige was street-tough and beautiful all at once, and the record company execs who profited off of her early releases did little to dispel the bad-girl image that she earned as she stumbled through the dizzying first days of her career. As she exorcised her personal demons and softened her style to include sleek designer clothes, she remained a hero to thousands of girls growing up in the same kinds of rough places she came from. Blige reinvented her career again and again by shedding the bad habits and bad influences that kept her down; by the time her fourth album, Mary, was released in 1999, she had matured into an expressive singer able to put the full power of her voice behind her music, while still reflecting a strong urban style. With her fifth album, No More Drama, it wasn't just Blige's style that shone through the structures set up for her by songwriters and producers, it was her own vision -- spiritual, emotional, personal, and full of wisdom, it reflected an artist who was comfortable with who she was and how far she had come.

Born in the Bronx on January 11, 1971, Blige spent the first few years of her life in Savannah, Georgia before moving with her mother and older sister to the Schlobam housing projects in Yonkers, New York. Her rough life there produced more than a few scars, physical and otherwise, and Blige dropped out of high school during her junior year, instead spending time doing her friends' hair in her mother's apartment and hanging out. When she was at a local mall in White Plains, New York, she recorded herself singing Anita Baker's "Caught Up in the Rapture" into a karaoke machine. The resulting tape was passed by Blige's stepfather to Uptown Records CEO Andre Harrell. Harrell was impressed with Blige's voice and signed her to sing backup for local acts like Father MC. In 1991, however, Sean "Puffy" Combs took Blige under his wing and began working with her on What's the 411?, her debut album. Combs had a heavy hand in What's the 411?, along with producers Dave Hall, Mark Morales, and Mark Rooney, and the stylish touches that they added to Blige's unique vocal style created a stunning album that bridged the gap between R&B and rap in a way that no female singer had before. Uptown tried to capitalize on the success of What's the 411? by issuing a remixed version of it a year later, but it was only a modest success creatively and commercially.

Her 1995 follow-up, My Life, again featured Combs' handiwork, and if it stepped back stylistically from its urban roots by featuring less of a rap sound, it made up for it with its subject matter. My Life was full of ghetto pathos and Blige's own personal pain shone through like a beacon. Her rocky relationship with fellow Uptown artist K-Ci Hailey likely contributed to the raw emotions on the album. The period following the recording of My Life was also a difficult time professionally for Blige, as she severed her ties with Combs and Uptown, hired Suge Knight as a financial advisor, and signed with MCA.

Released in 1997, Share My World marked the beginning of Blige's creative partnerships with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The album was another hit for Blige and debuted at number one on the Billboard charts. Critics soured somewhat on its more conventional soul sound, but Blige's fans seemed undaunted. By the time her next studio album, Mary, came out in 1999, the fullness and elegance of her new sound seemed more developed, as Blige exuded a classic soul style aided by material from Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Stevie Wonder, and Lauryn Hill. Mary made it obvious that the ghetto fabulous style and more confrontational aspects of her music were gone, while the emotive power still remained.

That power also helped carry the more modern-sounding 2001 release No More Drama, a deeply personal album that remained a collective effort musically yet reflected more of Blige's songwriting than any of her previous efforts. The Mary J. Blige on No More Drama seemed miles away from the flashy kid on What's the 411?, yet it was still possible to see the path through her music that produced an older, wiser, but still expressive artist. In 2003 she was reunited with P. Diddy, who produced the majority of that year's patchy Love and Life album. The Breakthrough followed two years later and was a tremendous success, spawning a handful of major singles. By the December 2006 release of Reflections (A Retrospective), The Breakthrough's lead single, "Be Without You," had spent nearly a year on the R&B chart, while the album's fifth single, "Take Me as I Am," had been on the same chart for over four months. A year later Blige came out with her eighth studio album, Growing Pains. It was her third consecutive studio album to top both the Billboard 200 and the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts. While on tour with Robin Thicke during 2008, Blige began working on Stronger with Each Tear, which was released near the end of the following year and came one spot short of topping the Billboard 200. My Life II...The Journey Continues (Act 1), previewed through the Eric Hudson-produced single "25/8," followed in 2011 with appearances from Beyoncé, Drake, Rick Ross, and Busta Rhymes. ~ Stacia Proefrock

AOL Radio Stations Mary J. Blige is Featured on (21)

Slow Jamz

Dim the lights and enjoy the most romantic artists of all time, from Marvin Gaye and Barry White to Maxwell and Alicia Keys. Your very own "quiet storm" is right here, on Slacker Slow Jamz...so chill the champagne and groove!

R&B

Slacker R&B is built upon a vast library of sexy music for sexy people, centering on the past 15 years of hits. You'll hear the biggest songs of today, as well as the tunes you've been grooving to since the mid-nineties--with a bit of old school flavor and a lot of surprises.

Old School R&B

Old School R&B on Slacker Radio is the station that will put a glide in your stride and a dip in your hip! You'll hear all the classics from Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and Motown, to Earth, Wind and Fire, The Gap Band and Kool and the Gang, to Michael Jackson, Prince and Rick James, to Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson and Boyz II Men. Old School R&B on Slacker Radio will not only keep you singing along with a smile on your face but will make you get up and shake it.

Michael Jackson Tribute

Since the passing of Michael Jackson on June 25, 2009, the World has mourned the loss of this Pop icon. Join Slacker Radio in celebrating the incredible music legacy of one of the biggest and most influential Pop music stars of our time. Hear songs from Michael Jackson's most popular albums as well as his early years with the Jackson 5. You'll also hear covers of MJ’s music and hits from artists that are influenced by the King of Pop including Justin Timberlake, Usher, Ne-Yo, Alicia Keys and more.

Post-Breakup

The majority of breakups turn out to be a very positive catalyst for personal growth and ultimately finding greater happiness with a more deserving partner. If you’ve moved past the mourning phase of a bad breakup, and you’re ready for the soundtrack to empowerment- this is your station. Featuring songs handpicked by expert curators that know a thing or two about bouncing back from nasty breakups. As Kelly Clarkson famously sang- “What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger”! You’ll hear that song, and empowering tracks from Adele, Beyonce, P!nk, and more.

A Very Soulful Christmas

Hear the soulful side of the holiday season with classic soul legends, R&B favorites and a little Gospel for good measure. Get your holiday grooving with Ray Charles, James Brown, The Supremes, Luther Vandross, Mary J. Blige and many more.

LGBT Pride

Celebrate LGBT Pride with a Slacker Radio station that's as diverse as the gay community itself. You'll hear anthems from "I Will Survive" to "Born This Way," plus out and proud artists from Adam Lambert to Frank Ocean. And of course we've got all the hot dance tracks to soundtrack your Pride celebrations.

'00s Hits

Hits of the 2000s on Slacker brings the best hits that the decade has to offer from 2000 right up to today!

Graffiti6 Showcase

This is the Graffiti6 Artist Showcase station on Slacker Radio. Tune in to hear a station built entirely by the members of Graffiti6 including music hand-picked by Jamie and TommyD as well as commentary by each about the songs that influenced their music and their lives.

Blue October Showcase

This is the Blue October Showcase station on Slacker Radio. Tune in to hear a station built entirely by the members of Blue October including music hand-picked by Justin, Julian and Matt as well as commentary by each about the songs that influenced their music and their lives.

Family of the Year Showcase

This is the Family of the Year Showcase station on Slacker Radio. Tune in to hear a station built entirely by Family of the Year including music hand-picked by the band as well as commentary about the songs that influenced their music and their lives.

R&B Hits

R&B Hits features the hottest songs that are burning up the charts, with the greatest superstars of today and emerging artists that will soon by household names. Connect with R&H Hits to stay on top of what's happening now!

Now THIS Is Music

Now THIS is Music will provide you with hit after hit after hit from the late 90's till now. Everything from the masters of boy bands to your favorite rock ballads, and everything in between. Sultry pop queens, the best MC's, and all the one hit wonders you can take. Now THIS Is Music on Slacker.

Party Hip Hop/R&B

Party Hip-Hop/R&B Radio plays the hottest new and upbeat classic Hip Hop and R&B hits to keep the party going all night long.

Shawn Hook Showcase

This is the Shawn Hook Showcase station on Slacker Radio. Tune in to hear a station built entirely by Shawn Hook including music hand-picked by Shawn as well as commentary about the songs that influenced his music and his life.

Hip Hop/R&B

Hip Hop and R&B on Slacker Radio- the name says it all. Who says new music has no soul? The R&B is covered by artists like Maxwell, Keyshia Cole and Usher. On the Hip Hop front you'll hear Ludacris, Jay-Z, Timbaland and more!

Hip Hop/R&B Hits

On Slacker Radio's Hip Hop and R&B Hits, you'll hear a mix of everything from Young Money, Eminem and Kanye West to Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber. We feature everything that is HOT right now; from the club to the house parties.

'90s Hip Hop

'90s Hip Hop on Slacker Radio is dedicated to the era when Hip Hop became a worldwide music revolution. You'll hear the bling-bling sounds of the South, the West Coast G-Funk and the hardcore East Coast rhymes. Artists include everything from the one hit wonders to the genre-defining greats like The Notorious B.I.G., 2Pac, Nas, Dr. Dre and many more.

Dance Pop

Dance Pop is driven by artists like Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Flo Rida and Timbaland mixed with Club Hits by Expose', Amber, Real McCoy, George LaMond and more. Dance Pop is devoted to club and party anthems from the late 80's to today's most popular radio and dance floor hits.

'90s Hits

Are you nostalgic for flannel shirts, girl power, and the days of Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake as an item? '90s Hits on Slacker Radio takes you back with all your favorite Soft Rock, Pop, Hip-Hop and Alternative songs that made the decade hella sweet!

Mary J. Blige

This station plays the best music from and music from related artists like Jennifer Hudson, Aaliyah, Faith Evans, Fantasia, Keyshia Cole, Monica, SWV, Ashanti, Xscape, Melanie Fiona and more.

All Stations

Mary J. Blige's Selected Discography (50)

My Life II...The Journey Continues (Act 1) Album Cover

Mr. Wrong

DIGITAL20111 Songs

Artists Related to Mary J. Blige (50)

	Jennifer Hudson	Best known for her role as Effie White in the 2006 film version of the Broadway musical Dreamgirls, vocalist/actress Jennifer Hudson was first brought to the public's attention while a contestant on the third season of the reality show vocal competition American Idol.
	Aaliyah	A star in the R&B world before she was even out of her teens, Aaliyah's promising career was tragically cut short by her death in a plane crash at age 22.
	Faith Evans	In spite of the fact that Faith Evans carved out a lengthy recording career in her own right, her name will forever remain linked in the minds of many to her late husband, the Notorious B.
	Fantasia	Fantasia Barrino may have won the third season of American Idol with "I Believe," but it was her passionate take on George Gershwin's "Summertime" that had everyone talking for weeks.
	Keyshia Cole	One of the more genuine urban songstresses to emerge in the 2000s, Keyshia Cole worked her way up the industry ladder diligently yet quickly, making her major-label debut in 2004 at age 21.
	Monica	Atlanta R&B vocalist Monica debuted in 1995 with the platinum Top Ten singles "Don't Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days)" and "Before You Walk Out of My Life.
	SWV	With their 1992 debut, It's About Time, the all-female new jack swing trio SWV scored a string of Top Ten R&B hits that established them as one of the most popular urban R&B groups of the '90s.
	Ashanti	With hitmaker Irv Gotti at the helm, Ashanti blasted into the urban music scene in 2002, topping the charts with multiple singles at once.
	Xscape	The female R&B quartet Xscape debuted singing at producer Jermaine Dupri's birthday party in 1991, and were the recipients of a platinum album just two years later.
	Melanie Fiona	Offering a throwback sound to complement her rich, womanly voice, Melanie Fiona is a bright R&B artist from Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
	R. Kelly	R&B producer/vocalist/multi-instrumentalist/songwriter R. Kelly and his supporting band Public Announcement began recording in 1992 at the tail-end of the new jack swing era, yet he was able to keep much of its sound alive while remaining commercially successful.
	Mya	Mya is a dancer turned smooth urban R&B vocalist who released her eponymous debut in the spring of 1998, when she was just 18 years old.
	LeToya	Part of the original lineup of the superstar group Destiny's Child, LeToya Luckett, who as a solo artist chose to go by her first name only, didn't just sit around after she and Latavia Roberson left the group shortly after the release of 1999's The Writing's on the Wall (neither singer was seen in the "Say My Name" video, which came as a surprise to both of them).
	Jazmine Sullivan	Contemporary R&B star Jazmine Sullivan spent several years learning the ropes of the recording industry before signing to J Records and making her solo recording debut in 2008 with the number one R&B single "Need U Bad.
	Tamia	A native of Canada, contemporary R&B singer and songwriter Tamia got an early start in the music industry, singing on the Rod Temperton-penned "You Put a Move on My Heart," the first single from Quincy Jones' 1994 hit album Q's Jook Joint, when she was only a teenager.
	Jaheim	A multi-talented artist, Jaheim is most famous for his R&B vocals, although he has also rapped, modeled, and acted, and appeared in Source and other hip-hop publications.
	Brandy	Whether she was singing pop-friendly urban soul or acting in her own family-oriented sitcom, Brandy's winningly wholesome persona helped catapult her to stardom during her teenage years.
	Kelly Price	R&B singer Kelly Price spent her early years in the music business behind the scenes, lending backing vocals to records from stars including Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin, Faith Evans, and Brian McKnight.
	Lauryn Hill	Call Lauryn Hill the mother of hip-hop invention; with her 1998 solo debut The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, the Fugees' most vocal member not only established herself as creative force on her own, but also broke new ground by successfully integrating rap, soul, reggae, and R&B into her own sound.
	Brandy & Monica
	Deborah Cox	A native of Toronto, Deborah Cox began singing for TV commercials at age 12, also entering various talent shows with her mother's help.
	Tyrese	R&B singer and actor Tyrese Gibson -- referred to as Tyrese -- began his career at the age of 14, performing in local talent shows around his home in Los Angeles' Watts section; his big break came when he starred in a commercial for Coca-Cola, followed shortly in 1998 by his self-titled debut album for RCA.
	TLC	TLC were one of the biggest-selling female R&B groups of all time, riding a blend of pop, hip-hop, and urban soul to superstardom during the '90s.
	India.Arie	One of a handful of neo-classic soul artists to emerge following the late-'90s success of artists like D'Angelo and Lauryn Hill, Atlanta's India.
	Erykah Badu	She grew up listening to '70s soul and '80s hip-hop, but Erykah Badu drew more comparisons to Billie Holiday upon her breakout in 1997, after the release of her first album, Baduizm.
	Avant	Hailed as the "new voice of ghetto soul" and the first act signed to basketball great Magic Johnson's Magic Johnson Music, Cleveland native Avant (born Myron Avant) debuted in 1998 with the song "Separated," released on Payton Entertainment -- the label operated by his manager, Eric Payton.
	Anthony Hamilton	A soul singer who drew comparisons to such classic vocalists as Bill Withers and Bobby Womack, Anthony Hamilton struggled for the better part of the 1990s as two of his albums went unreleased.
	Heather Headley	R&B vocalist Heather Headley was born in Trinidad in the mid-'70s. At an early age, this daughter of a pastor was surrounded by music and performance art.
	Amerie	Pop-oriented R&B singer Amerie, the daughter of a Korean mother and an African-American father who was a career military member, grew up on bases from Alaska to Germany.
	Jill Scott	A mature R&B vocalist who excelled most with slower, sensual material ("Slowly, Surely," "I'm Not Afraid," "My Love") and was versatile enough to pack plenty of punch with anthems of pride and self-empowerment ("Golden," "Family Reunion," "Hate on Me"), Jill Scott grew up in north Philadelphia and began her performing career reading her own poetry.
	Charlie Wilson	As lead singer for the Gap Band, Charlie Wilson sang on four number one R&B hits: "Burn Rubber (Why You Wanna Hurt Me)," "Early in the Morning," "Outstanding," and "Addicted to Your Love" -- as well as the classics "You Dropped a Bomb on Me," "Yearning for Your Love," "Party Train," and "Big Fun.
	Jagged Edge	Rough-but-smooth male vocal quartet Jagged Edge formed in Atlanta, Georgia, consisting of identical twin brothers Brandon "Case Dinero" Casey and Brian "Brasco" Casey, who had moved from their native Hartford, Connecticut; Kyle Norman (aka "Quick"), whom they'd met through church activities; and Richard Wingo (aka "Wingo Dollar"), a late addition to the group suggested by Xscape's Kandi Burruss, who took their demo to superproducer Jermaine Dupri.
	Jamie Foxx	A major star on television (In Living Color, The Jamie Foxx Show), the big screen (Any Given Sunday, Collateral, Ray, Miami Vice, Dreamgirls), and radio (his second album, Unpredictable, featured two Top Ten R&B singles), Jamie Foxx -- born Eric Morlon Bishop, Jr.
	702	Discovered by Michael Bivins of New Edition, 702 is a teenage trio -- Irish, Kameelah, and Lemisha -- who made their recorded debut singing on Subway's hit single "This Lil' Game We Play.
	Next	Featuring R.L. Huggar and brothers Terry "T-Low" Brown and Raphael "Tweet" Brown, contemporary R&B trio Next formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota after they were introduced by the Brown's uncle, a gospel choir director.
	Brian McKnight	One of the most consistent and versatile adult contemporary R&B artists, Brian McKnight placed seven albums across 15 years -- from the early '90s through the first decade of the 2000s -- within the Top Ten of Billboard's R&B albums chart.
	Chanté Moore	Chanté Moore, the daughter of a minister, grew up on gospel music and albums by George Duke and Lee Ritenour, sometimes applying her lyrics to their music.
	Tweet	In 2002 the successful duo of Missy Elliott and Timbaland presented Tweet, a soulful vocalist with hip-hop savvy and unrestrained sexuality.
	En Vogue	The female vocal quartet En Vogue was conceived and put together by the production team of Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy, both former members of Club Nouveau.
	Angie Stone	A singer, MC, self-taught keyboardist, and prolific songwriter, Angie Stone's first claim to fame was her membership in the Sequence, an all-female trio that recorded for pioneering hip-hop label Sugar Hill, beginning with the 1979 single "Funk You Up.
	Robin Thicke	Singer/songwriter Robin Thicke was one of the few to define the new millennium's blue-eyed soul movement.
	Changing Faces	Changing Faces is a New York-based urban soul vocal duo much in the vein of similar all-female bands like TLC and SWV.
	John Legend	Neo-soul singer and pianist John Legend combined the raw fervor of contemporaries Cody ChesnuTT and the burning precision of D'Angelo.
	Ginuwine	Ginuwine was one of R&B's preeminent love men during the '90s heyday of hip-hop soul. Initially teamed with Timbaland, the most innovative producer of the late '90s, Ginuwine's sultry, seductive crooning earned him a substantial female following and made him a regular presence on the R&B charts, even after the futuristic production he favored was eclipsed by the more organic, retro-leaning neo-soul movement.
	Tony! Toni! Toné!	Brothers Dwayne and Raphael Wiggins and cousin Timothy Christian have proven themselves durable guardians of the soul and funk tradition, while also infusing their music with enough contemporary devices to remain popular.
	Musiq Soulchild	Philadelphia-born Taalib Johnson, aka R&B artist Musiq (Soulchild), grew up the oldest of nine children.
	Zhané	Given a high-profile spot on the all-star compilation Roll Wit tha Flava as their first recording opportunity, Zhané lived up to the pressure and came away with one of the hip-hop party anthems of all time, "Hey, Mr.
	Sunshine Anderson	Though she sang in musicals and talent shows throughout her childhood, Charlotte, NC native Sunshine Anderson was discovered while she was waiting in line in a cafeteria at North Carolina Central University, the institution where she earned a B.
	Maxwell	Along with fellow founders D'Angelo and Erykah Badu, Maxwell was enormously important in defining and shaping the neo-soul movement that rose to prominence over the latter half of the '90s.
	Jodeci	If Boyz II Men are portrayed as a clean-cut, wholesome R&B vocal group, then Jodeci's wild, sexual, bad-boy image represents the other side of the coin.