Mary J. Blige In The 90s To Today: See Photos Of Superstar Through The Years

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Mary J. Blige Through The Years

Mary J. Blige Through The Years — Mary J. Blige was born on January 11, 1971, the New York City borough of the Bronx to mother Cora, a nurse, and father Thomas, a jazz musician. She was later raised in the historic Savannah, Georgia where she began singing in a church before moving back to the state of New York. During that period of the late 1980s, she began pursuing her musical career — which included an early cover of Anita Baker’s “Caught Up in the Rapture.” Based on that, she was signed to Uptown Records where she released her 1992 debut album ‘What’s the 411?’ followed by 1993’s ‘My Life.’

Mary is seen here at a Los Angeles event in 1992. At the time, the future R&B and soul queen had just hit the scene with her iconic debut album ‘What’s the 411?’

Over the course of her career, Mary J. Blige has released 13 studio albums and become one of the most successful recording artists in history with 100 million albums sold. She’s won nine Grammy Awards, along with four AMAs, 12 Billboard Awards and on Feb. 13 will have the honor of performing at the Super Bowl LVI Half Time Show with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Kendrick Lamar.

Look back on Mary J’s iconic career in photos here.

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Mary J. Blige Performs In 1993

Mary J. Blige Performs In 1993 — Mary J. Blige is seen on-stage at the KMEL Summer Jam in 1993. The singer had released her first two albums by then, ‘What’s the 411?’ and ‘My Life.’

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Mary J. Blige At The ‘Men In Black’ Soundtrack Premiere

Mary J. Blige At The ‘Men In Black’ Soundtrack Premiere — Mary J. Blige is seen heading to the launch party of the ‘Men In Black‘ soundtrack in 1997. She stunned in a red tank top and matching pants for the event, which was held in NYC.

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Mary J. Blige In 1997

Mary J. Blige In 1997 — Mary J. Blige is pictured in 1997, the same year she released her third album ‘Share My World.’ The singer was casual in a gray t-shirt.

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Mary J. Blige In 1999

Mary J. Blige In 1999 — Mary J Blige is seen on stage in 1999, shortly after the release of her self-titled fourth album ‘Mary.’ The project marked a sonic change for the R&B artist as she embraced an adult contemporary vibe.

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Mary J. Blige At A 1999 MTV Event

Mary J. Blige At A 1999 MTV Event — Mary J. Blige is seen posing at the arrivals for an MTV party in 1999. She was stylish in a white logo t-shirt by Versace and white pants, along with a fur jacket.

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Mary J. Blige At The Re-opening Of Radio City Music Hall

Mary J. Blige At The Re-opening Of Radio City Music Hall — Mary J. Blige walks the red carpet for the re-opening of the historic Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Her outfit was quintessential 1999 with a ankle length black pant and vest, along with a white turtleneck underneath.

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Mary J. Blige On BBC

Mary J. Blige On BBC — Mary J. Blige is seen during a televised performance on the BBC’s ‘Later With Jools Holland’ in Nov. 1999. She sported her signature bright red hair and a fur jacket for the appearance.

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Mary J. Blige & Aretha Franklin At An NFL Party

Mary J. Blige & Aretha Franklin At An NFL Party — Mary J. Blige and legend Aretha Franklin are seen during a candid moment at ‘NFL Kickfoff Life’ presented by Pepsi in Sept. 2003. Mary was on top of the world during the time frame, fresh off the success of her single ‘Family Affair’ in 2002.

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Mary J. Blige At The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show

Mary J. Blige At The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show — Mary J. Blige performs at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in Nov. 2003, which was held at the Lexington Avenue Armory in Nov. 2003. She sizzled in a fitted satin brown mini dress with a deep plunge.

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Mary J. Blige On ‘Friday Night with Jonathan Ross’

Mary J. Blige On ‘Friday Night with Jonathan Ross’ — Mary J. Blige makes an appearance on ‘Friday Night with Jonathan Ross’ back in 2007. She performed songs from her album ‘Growing Pains’, released earlier that same year, live.

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Mary J. Blige At VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul

Mary J. Blige At VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul — Mary J. Blige was a vision in white as she arrived for VH1 Divas special event ‘Celebrates Soul.’ The singer rocked short blonde bob as she posed with both hands on her hips.

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Mary J. Blige At The 2019 BET Awards

Mary J. Blige At The 2019 BET Awards — Mary J. Blige arrives for the 19th annual BET Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on June 23, 2019. She looked incredible in a plunging sequin dress.

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Mary J. Blige Performs At The 2019 BET Awards

Mary J. Blige Performs At The 2019 BET Awards — Mary J. Blige performs during the 19th annual BET Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on June 23, 2019. She performed a medley of her biggest hits from the early 90s to today. The star also looked incredible in an all-white outfit.

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Mary J. Blige Accepts A BET Award

Mary J. Blige Accepts A BET Award — Mary J. Blige earned 2019’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the BET Awards. Here she’s seen on stage accepting the honor and thanking her fans and supporters.

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Mary J. Blige Gets Inducted Into The Apollo Theater Walk of Fame

Mary J. Blige Gets Inducted Into The Apollo Theater Walk of Fame — Mary J. Blige is proudly inducted at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, NYC in May 2021. The singer dazzled in a zebra print green and black dress and layered jewelry.

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Mary J. Blige Films ‘Power Book II: Ghost’

Mary J. Blige Films ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ — Mary J. Blige is seen filming ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ in New York in July 2021. Her red hair was dramatically longer for the role.

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Mary J. Blige At The 2021 Met Gala

Mary J. Blige At The 2021 Met Gala — Mary J. Blige looked so glam in a long sleeved gold sequin gown as she attended the Costume Institute Benefit celebrating the opening of ‘In America: A Lexicon of Fashion‘ on Sept. 13, 2021.

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Mary J. Blige At A Chanel Event

Mary J. Blige At A Chanel Event — Shining star! Mary J Blige stuns in silver at the Chanel N°5 in the Stars opening night event in New York on Nov. 5, 2021. It was the perfect holiday look!

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Mary J. Blige’s At The ‘Good Morning Gorgeous’ Album Release Party

Mary J. Blige’s At The ‘Good Morning Gorgeous’ Album Release Party — Center of attention! Mary J. Blige wows in a blue cut-out dress and sparkling boots at the release party for her album ‘Good Morning Gorgeous’ on Feb. 10, 2022.

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Mary J. Blige Ahead Of Super Bowl LVI

Mary J. Blige Ahead Of Super Bowl LVI — Mary J. Blige sits for questions ahead of the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show at a press conferene on Feb. 10, 2022. She looked chic in over-the-knee suede leather boots with a a white suit.

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Mary J. Blige At The Premiere Of ‘Power Book II: Ghost’

Mary J. Blige At The Premiere Of ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ — Full feather drama! Mary J Blige wows in white feathers, a matching suit, and glam makeup during the premiere of her series ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ on Nov. 17, 2021.

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