Mary J. Blige’s Career Highlights

By Aynslee Darmon. 1 Feb 2021 8:00 AM

We’re taking a look back at some of R&B icon, Mary J. Blige’s career highlights.

Photo: Getty Images

Photo: Getty Images

Photo: Getty Images

Photo: Getty Images

Photo: Getty Images

Photo: Getty Images

Photo: Getty Images

Photo: Getty Images

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‘What’s The 411’
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Mary J. Blige made a splash in the music scene in 1992 with her debut album, What’s The 411.

Its first single “You Remind Me” originally appeared on the soundtrack to the 1991 Halle Berry film “Strictly Business” and catapulted to the Top 30 of Billboard’s Hot 100 charts. It also went to number one on the R&B chart.
Leopard Chic At The Grammys
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While accepting her first-ever Grammy award in 1995, Mary J. Blige showed up in an iconic leopard jumpsuit.

The hood, the gloves and the sunglasses quickly became one of the singer’s most beloved red carpet looks.

During that year’s award ceremony, Blige took home Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for “I’ll Be There For You/You’re All I Need To Get By”.
Grammy Debut
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In 1997, Blige made her Grammy stage debut as part of a "Waiting To Exhale" medley with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, CeCe Winans and Brandy.
‘Family Affair’
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In 2001, Mary J. Blige released an album called No More Drama featuring her most popular song to date, “Family Affair”.

The song not only was one of the most popular songs of the decade, but it still remains a classic in the hip-hop soul genre.
Big Screen Debut In ‘Prison Song’
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After making a name for herself in the music world, Mary J. Blige dipped her toe into the acting world with her debut in the 2001 drama “Prison Song”.

“Prison Song” starred Blige and Q-Tip and followed young Elijah (Q-Tip) as he spends time in foster homes after his stepfather is sent to prison and his mother (Blige) becomes institutionalized.
‘The Breakthrough’
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Mary J. Blige ended 2005 with a bang following the release of her seventh album, The Breakthrough.

The album went on to break through on the charts, debuting at number one with a massive 727,000 copies sold.

“It feels really good,” Blige told Rolling Stone at the time. “It’s very, very humbling. And if it wasn’t for God, I would not have been able to deliver.”

The Breakthrough went on to win the Grammy Award for Best R&B album.
The Mary J. Blige Foundation
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In 2007, Mary J. Blige launched the Mary J. Blige Foundation with the hope to provide women with access, education and support to achieve success in life.
A Billboard Icon
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In 2017, Mary J. Blige accepted the Icon Award at the Billboard Women in Music Awards.

During her acceptance speech, Blige called the honour “a huge responsibility.”

“I’m so grateful, I’m so humbled, I’m so thankful,” she began. “When people look up to me, I want them to see my life and have it reflect their and understand that if I can make it through everything that I’ve made it thought and still make it through, you can do it as well.”

In 2019, Blige took home the Life Achievement Award at the BET Awards.
Taking On Awards Season
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Following her critically acclaimed role in Netflix’s 2018 drama “Mudbound”, Mary J. Blige nabbed two Oscar nominations and two Golden Globe nods.

Blige was previously nominated at the GG in 2012 for Best Original Song “The Living Proof” from “The Help”.
Grammy Queen
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Over her career, Mary J. Blige has earned a huge amount of Grammy Awards and nominations.

She’s currently a nine-time winner. Blige has been nominated 31 times.

Mary J. Blige’s Career Highlights

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