Mary J. Blige
Mary Jane Blige (born January 11, 1971) is an African American, R&B, Hip Hop-Soul singer/songwriter, occasional rapper, record produce, actress, and Hip Hop icon who has sold more than 40 million records and over 10 million singles 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.
Personal Life
In 1988, Blige recorded an impromptu cover of Anita Baker's "Rapture" at a recording booth in a local mall. Her mother's boyfriend at the time later 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 was signed to the label; becoming the company's youngest and first female artist.
Upon signing to Uptown, Blige's early years there were dormant, as the label continued to focus most of its attention on its more established acts. During this time, Blige occasionally did session work as a background singer for her label mates. In 1990, she was introduced as a background singer for Redd, during a performance at the Apollo Theatre. The same year she also sang the hook on "I'll Do 4 U" by rapper and label mate Father MC; Blige also appeared in the concert-themed music video, back up singer in 1990.
Blige had a very public and tumultuous six-year affair with Jodeci frontman Cedric K-Ci" Hailey, which ended in 1997. Following the run of their union, despite having been linked with singer Case and producer/singer Malik Pendleton, she has kept many of her relationships private.
In 2000, Blige began a relationship with record industry executive Martin Kendu Isaacs (known simply as "Kendu"), who is now her manager. Blige has also credited Isaacs for helping her overcome her addictions to drugs and alcohol. The two were married on December 7, 2003 in a small private ceremony at Blige's home attended by 50 guests (none of whom were media).
In a 2006 appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Blige said that she was molested at the age of five.
On March 27, 2008 it was reported that Mary J. Blige, along with her husband bought a 12.3 million dollar house, with a movie theater and a basketball court.
Mary J. Blige was among the celebrities listed as People Magazines 100 Most Beautiful People.
Albums produced: 1992-1993: What's the 411?1994-1996: My Life1997-1998: Share My World1999-2000: Mary2001-2002: No More Drama2003-2004: Love & Life2005-2006: The Breakthrough2007-present: Growing Pains
Philanthropy
Blige was a spokesperson for the M.A.C. AIDS Fund. She did two ads, one with Lil' Kim in 2000 and the other with Elton John and Shirley Manson in 2002.
She was one of the featured singers on the CNN Heroes Awards Show on December 6, 2007.
On May 9, 2008, the Mary J. Blige and Steve Stoute Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now, Inc. (FFAWN) was announced at Roosevelt High School in Yonkers. According to the foundation's website (http://ourworld.ffawn.org/home.php), "FFAWN is an organization founded by Mary J. Blige to inspire women from all walks of life to reach their individual potential. Through scholarships, grants, and programs that foster strong self-esteem, career development, and personal growth, FFAWN is intended to help women gain the confidence and skills they need to achieve success. FFAWN will initially focus its efforts in Yonkers and surrounding communities in Westchester and then expand its scope to include the Greater New York area and, eventually, the entire country."
Business Endorsements
She is a spokesperson and investor for Carol's Daughter beauty products. She also has her own record label called Matriarch Records, which is distributed through Geffen. Mary J. Blige has had major endorsements like Reebok, Michael Jordan, Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Gap, Target, Apple Inc. and Chevrolet.
Latest Tour
2008: Heart of the City with Jay-Z
References:
All information has been taken from the www.wikipedia.com Free Encyclopedia website and edited for the sake of brevity. All links have been removed with the exception of the FFAWN website.
