Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige (born January 11, 1971) is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and actress. Raised in Yonkers, New York, she emerged in the early 1990s and is widely known as the “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul” for blending R&B with hip-hop influences. Her debut album, *What’s the 411?* (1992), helped define the sound of contemporary R&B, and she followed it with acclaimed releases including *My Life* (1994). Blige has earned multiple Grammy Awards and has also built a notable acting career. She received Academy Award nominations for her work on the film *Mudbound* (2017).