Mary J. Blige is known as the "Queen of Hip-Hop soul" for hits like "Real Love" and "Be Without You" that influenced many artists. She was born in 1971 in the Bronx and gained attention after recording herself singing karaoke at age 17, leading to her first record deal. Her 1992 debut album "What's the 411?" helped define modern soul music and sold over 3 million copies. Later albums like "My Life" and "Share My World" also achieved commercial success, winning her a Grammy. In addition to her music career, Mary J. Blige has had success as an actress in films such as "I Can Do Bad All By Myself" and on television in

1. Key Artist Case Study
By Kimberley Reyes

2. Mary J. Blige

3. SYNOPSIS
 Mary J Blige is known as the 'Queen of Hip-Hop soul'
as she influenced a generation of artists with major
hits such as 'Real love' and 'Be without you'.
 She was born on January 11, 1971, in Bronx, New York.
When Mary was 17, she recorded herself singing in a
karaoke booth which then brought attention to
Uptown Records who immediately asked her to be put
under a contract.
 She didn't go solo until 1992 when she released her
album 'What's the 411?' which its concept was re-defining
modern soul.

4. SUCCESS
 Mary J Blige released her first debut album 'What's the
411?'. It instantly became successful during that year
as the album sold more than 3 million copies because
of the featured hit singles "You Remind Me" and "Real
Love.“
 2 years later, Mary released a 2nd debut album 'My
Life' which she infact nearly wrote all the songs herself.
This album had its popular success with singles such as
"Be Happy," "Mary Jane (All Night Long)" and "You
Bring Me Joy."
 In 1996, she won her first Grammy Award for "I'll be
There For You/You're All I Need to Get By," a duet with
Method Man of the Wu-Tang Clan. Her 3rd album
'1997's Share My World' reached No. 1 on the
Billboard albums chart.

5. PROJECTS
 Mary J Blige also had a successful acting
career as she casted in a dramatic comedy 'I
Can Do Bad All By Myself' which came out in
2009.
 In 2012, she sang in the musical film 'Rock of
Ages' alongside Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin
and Russell Brand.
 In 2013, Mary had a leading role as Betty
Shabbazz in the TV movie Betty & Coretta.

6. PROJECTS
 Mary J Blige also had a successful acting
career as she casted in a dramatic comedy 'I
Can Do Bad All By Myself' which came out in
2009.
 In 2012, she sang in the musical film 'Rock of
Ages' alongside Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin
and Russell Brand.
 In 2013, Mary had a leading role as Betty
Shabbazz in the TV movie Betty & Coretta.