Mary J. Blige

Mary Jane Blige (born January 11, 1971) is an African American R&B, soul, and hip hop soul singer-songwriter, occasional rapper, record producer, actress, and hip hop icon who has sold more than 40 million records worldwide.

She is widely known as the "Queen of Hip Hop Soul", and has also received over 26 Grammy Award nominations for her work, winning eight, also awarded the World Music Legends Award for combining hip-hop and soul together like no one else during the early '90s.

Early in her career, Blige's highly personal songs and gritty voice earned her comparisons to soul singers who preceded her, including Patti LaBelle and Aretha Franklin; however her artistic evolution and commercial success throughout the years have allowed her to exert her own influence over a new generation of artists including R&B/funk singer-songwriter Amerie and Grammy-nominated soul singer Keyshia Cole, Fantasia, including eleven-time Grammy winner Alicia Keys.

- Wikipedia