Mary J. Blige's Success and Achievements in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: February 21, 2025

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Mary J. Blige.

Mary J. Blige is a highly acclaimed American singer, songwriter, rapper, actress, and entrepreneur. Known as the "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul" and the "Queen of R&B," she has garnered numerous awards including nine Grammy Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, four American Music Awards, twelve NAACP Image Awards, and twelve Billboard Music Awards, inclusive of the Billboard Icon Award, solidifying her significant impact and influence in the music industry.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1993: Wins Soul Train Music Awards

In 1993, What's the 411? earned Mary J. Blige two Soul Train Music Awards: Best New R&B Artist and Best R&B Album, Female.

1996: Outside Projects and Grammy Win

In 1996, Mary J. Blige recorded songs for soundtracks, gained Grammy nominations, and won Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for her collaboration with Method Man. She was also featured on Jay-Z's breakthrough single.

February 1997: Grammy Awards Performance

In February 1997, Mary J. Blige performed "Not Gon' Cry" at the Grammy Awards and gained a third Grammy nomination.

1998: American Music Award and Share My World Tour

In early 1998, Mary J. Blige won an American Music Award for "Favorite Soul/R&B Album" and embarked on the Share My World Tour.

2002: "My Life" Ranked Among Greatest American Albums

In 2002, My Life was ranked number 57 on Blender's list of the 100 greatest American albums of all time.

2003: "My Life" Ranked on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums

In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Mary J. Blige's album "My Life" at number 279 on its list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, a significant recognition of her musical contribution.

November 2006: American Music Awards

In November 2006, Mary J. Blige won two American Music Awards, recognizing the success of "The Breakthrough".

December 2006: Billboard Music Awards

In December 2006, Mary J. Blige won nine Billboard Music Awards, solidifying the success of "The Breakthrough".

2006: Legends Award at the World Music Awards

In 2006, Mary J. Blige received a Legends Award at the World Music Awards.

2006: "My Life" Included in Time's Greatest Albums List

In 2006, My Life was included in Time's 100 greatest albums of all-time list.

2007: Grammy Award Nominations

In 2007, Mary J. Blige received eight Grammy Award nominations for "The Breakthrough", the most of any artist that year, and won three awards.

2007: Voice of Music Award from ASCAP

In 2007, Mary J. Blige received the Voice of Music Award from ASCAP.

February 8, 2009: Grammy Award for "Growing Pains"

On February 8, 2009, Mary J. Blige won the Grammy Award for "Best Contemporary R&B Album" for "Growing Pains".

July 2010: Launch of My Life Perfume

In July 2010, Mary J. Blige launched her first perfume, "My Life", in partnership with HSN and Carol's Daughter. The fragrance broke HSN sales records during its premiere.

November 18, 2010: Billboard's Top R&B/Hip Hop Artist

On November 18, 2010, Billboard named Mary J. Blige the most successful female R&B/hip hop artist on the Top 50 R&B/Hip Hop Artists of the Past 25 Years list.

2010: Ranked Most Successful Female R&B/Hip-Hop Artist

In 2010, Billboard ranked Mary J. Blige as the most successful female R&B/Hip-Hop artist of the past 25 years.

2010: Ranked on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists

In 2010, Mary J. Blige was ranked 80th on VH1's list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, recognizing her impact on music.

2011: Featured in VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of All Time

In 2011, Mary J. Blige was featured in VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

2017: "Be Without You" Named Most Successful R&B/Hip-Hop Song

In 2017, Billboard named Mary J. Blige's "Be Without You" as the most successful R&B/Hip-Hop song of all time.

2017: Starred in "Mudbound"

In 2017, Mary J. Blige starred in the film "Mudbound" as Florence Jackson, receiving critical acclaim and award nominations.

2017: Academy Award Nominations

In 2017, Mary J. Blige was nominated for two Academy Awards for her role in Mudbound and the film's song "Mighty River", making her the first person nominated for acting and songwriting in the same year.

2018: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

In 2018, Mary J. Blige received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2018: Breakthrough Performance Award

In 2018, Mary J. Blige received the Breakthrough Performance Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival for her role in "Mudbound", recognizing her acting abilities.

2019: Sobriety

As of 2019, Mary J. Blige had been sober for several years, overcoming drug and alcohol addiction.

2020: "What's the 411?" and "My Life" on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums

In 2020, both "What's the 411?" and "My Life" were featured in a rebooted list of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, at 271 and 126 respectively, solidifying Blige's legacy.