American singer Mary J. Blige began her career as a backing vocalist for Uptown Records in the early 1990s.

In a career spanning more than 30 years, she has released 15 studio albums and 83 singles—including more than 20 as a featured artist.

[6] In 2009, Billboard ranked Blige as the most successful female R&B/hip-hop artist of the past 25 years.

[11] Blige started her own musical career in 1992, releasing her multi-platinum-selling debut album, What's the 411?

Among Blige's most popular songs to date are "Family Affair", "Real Love", "Not Gon' Cry" and "Be Without You".