Blige

Blige, in the context of notable individuals, most often refers to Mary J. Blige (born 1971), an American singer, songwriter, and actress who has been active since the early 1990s. She is widely regarded as a key figure in contemporary R&B and hip hop soul.

Blige began her recording career after being discovered in the late 1980s and signed with Uptown Records. Her debut album What's the 411? (1992) fused hip hop production with R&B vocal melodies and produced hits such as Real Love. Her 1994 follow-up My Life is often cited as a landmark in soul music for its personal lyricism and atmospheric sound.

Throughout her career, Blige has released numerous successful albums and singles and has won multiple Grammy Awards. She has been dubbed the "Queen of Hip Hop Soul" for blending street-level hip hop with soulful singing and for her influence on later artists. She has sold millions of records worldwide and has been a driving force for female empowerment in the music industry.

In addition to music, Blige has pursued acting and producing. She earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for Mudbound (2017) and won the Golden Globe for Best Original Song for "Mighty River" from the same film. She has appeared in films and television projects and has contributed to philanthropic and charitable causes.