Mary J. Blige

New York soul-rap diva Mary J. Blige, an authentic product of the ghetto's tough life, popularized the fusion of soul and rap that had been developing since Bobby Brown's massive success of 1988. Both her manifestos, What's the 411? (1992) and My Life (1995), were crafted by producer Sean "Puffy" Combs.

She became more of an interpreter of soul and pop material starting with Share My World (1997), despite the fact that it was produced this time by the inventors of new jack swing, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and continuing with the slick but bland Mary (1999), where the hip-hop influence was minimized (the highlight being All That I Can Say, written and produced by Lauryn Hill). She tried to show a more mature side with No More Drama (2001), with the hit Family Affair (and 70 minutes of filler), and Love And Life (2003) but, like most divas, her persona was not terribly interesting. The music is old-fashioned soul music, elegant and lush, but, ultimately, derivative and repetitive. She sank rapidly through tedious collections like The Breakthrough (2005), Growing Pains (2007), Stronger with Each Tear (2009), and My Life II The Journey Continues (Act 1) (2011). She fiddled with soul, jazz, rock and even house music on The London Sessions (2014). Strength of a Woman (2017) includes collaborations with Kanye West (Love Yourself) and Kaytranada (Telling the Truth). Good Morning Gorgeous (2022) opens with the trap-infected Amazing but mostly floats anemically among liquid soul ballads like Come See About Me.