Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige
Blige during an interview in February 2022
Born	Mary Jane Blige (1971-01-11) January 11, 1971 New York City, U.S.
Other names	Monét Brook Lynn
Occupations	Singer songwriter actress
Years active	1988–present
Spouse	Martin "Kendu" Isaacs ​ ​ (m. 2003; div. 2018)​
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Origin	Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. Yonkers, New York, U.S.
Genres	R&B hip hop soul hip hop soul
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	Mary Jane 300 Atlantic Republic Capitol Matriarch Geffen Verve Uptown MCA
Website	maryjblige.com

Mary Jane Blige (born January 11, 1971) is an American singer, songwriter and actress. She is often referred to as The Queen of Hip Hop Soul, due to her music mainly being R&B mixed with hip hop and soul. She has released 11 studio albums, 82 singles, and 8 other albums.

Music career

In 1988, Blige recorded an cover of Anita Baker's "Caught Up in the Rapture" at a recording booth in a local mall. Her mother's boyfriend at the time played the cassette for Jeff Redd, a recording artist and A&R runner for Uptown Records. Redd then sent it to the president and CEO of the label, Andre Harrell. Harrell met with Blige and, in 1989, she joined the label, becoming the company's youngest and first female artist.

Production for Blige's first album, Whats the 411?, began in 1991. Sean "Puffy" Combs (at the time a beginning A&R executive at Uptown) organised the project. Also enlisted were some of the top R&B and hip hop producers of the time, among them are Tony Dofat, Mark Morales and Cory Rooney, Dave "Jam" Hall, and DeVante Swing.

In 2014, Blige toured with R. Kelly called "The King and Queen Tour".

Personal life

Blige is a Democrat.

Filmography

Movie

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2001	Prison Song	Mrs. Butler	Movie debut
2009	I Can Do Bad All By Myself	Tanya
2012	Rock of Ages	Justice Charlier
2013	Black Nativity	Platinum Fro	Nominated — American Black Film Festival Award for Best Ensemble Cast
2017	Mudbound	Florence Jackson	Gotham Special Jury Award for Best Ensemble Performance New York Film Critics Online for Best Ensemble Cast IndieWire Critic's Poll Award for Best Breakthrough Performance (Film) Hollywood Film Awards – Breakout Actress Award Hollywood Film Awards – Breakout Ensemble Award Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress (Runner-up) Nominated — Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated — Academy Award for Best Original Song Nominated — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role Nominated — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Nominated — Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated — Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Acting Ensemble Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song Nominated — Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Actor Nominated — Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture Nominated — Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated — Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Ensemble
2018	Sherlock Gnomes	Irene (voice)
2020	Trolls World Tour	Queen Essence (voice)
2020	Respect	Dinah Washington
TBA	Body Cam	Renee	Post-production
TBA	The Violent Heart	Nina	Filming

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1995	New York Undercover	Herself	"Private Enemy No. 1" (episode 14, season 1), "Tag You're Dead" (episode 2, season 2) [music performance]
1998	The Jamie Foxx Show	Ola Mae	"Papa Don't Preach" (episode 14, season 2)
1999	Moesha	Herself	"Good Vibrations?" (episode 1, season 5)
2001	Strong Medicine	Simone Fellows	"History" (episode 4, season 2)
2007	Ghost Whisperer	Jackie Boyd	"Mean Ghost" (episode 15, season 2)
	Entourage	Herself	"Gary's Desk" (episode 8, season 4)
2009	30 Rock	Herself	"Kidney Now!" (episode 22, season 3)
2010 & 2012	American Idol	Guest judge/Herself	2010: Auditions were held in Atlanta, Georgia at the Georgia Dome when Blige guest judged. 2012: Mentor for the Top 13 Whitney Houston & Stevie Wonder Week
2012	The Voice	Herself	Mentor of Team Adam (season 3)
2013	Betty & Coretta	Dr. Betty Shabazz	Television film Nominated — Women's Image Network Award for OutstandingOutstanding Actress Made for Television Movie / Mini-Series
	The X Factor	Guest judge/herself	Blige assisted Nicole Scherzinger at her judge's house in Antigua
2015	Empire	Angie	"Sins of the Father" (episode 10, season 1)
	The Wiz Live!	Evillene, The Wicked Witch of the West	TV special Nominated — Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Movie/Miniseries Nominated — Black Reel Award for Best Supporting Actress: Television Movie/Cable
	Black-ish	Mirabelle Chalet	Guest appearance in Season 1, episode 24
2016	How To Get Away With Murder	Ro	TV Series (2 episodes)
2019–present	The Umbrella Academy	Cha-Cha	Main role
2019	Scream	Sherry Elliot	Recurring role