Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige, the Queen of hip-hop /soul is my hero. She inspires me by the messages she sends out to me through her music. What inspires me about her is that her music makes you feel that whatever you are going through-- whether it's if you got your heart broken by a guy or you're having hard times in your life -- you're not alone. She has had a vey hard and rough life herself from running away from home and being on drugs as a young teenager. Now she's a new women, with a new attitude.

Mary J. Blige was born in the Bronx and spent the first few years of her life in Savannah , Georgia before returning to New York at age five. She began singing in her church choir at the age of seven. She grew up in the Yanker's Slowbam Projects, which is nicknamed the "Slow Bomb" by the tenants for its rough reputation. Mary and her mother did not have a good relationship. Mary was a troubled child who hung out with the wrong crowd, which led her to be out in the streets, and on drugs. She was very bright in school, she just was to involved in her social life to attend school. Her mom eventually told her to leave because Mary made it hard for her.

Mary's music meant alot to her which led her to where she is now. She's one of the best r&b singers in the indusrty.

Mary sought refuge in her music during these tumultuous times. Her singing improved through her teens as she performed solo in several church and school talent shows. Mary loved her singing. Mary was signed onto Uptown records by their head of A&R, Sean Puffy Combs. Soon after she was being promoted by her record company as the Original Queen of Hip-Hop and Soul. Mary's 1992 debut album sold over two million copies.Her hard work singing as a teenager paid off. She's is know one of the richest female R&B singers in the industry.

In conclusion, Mary J. Blige, to me, has a good heart and she has grown up to be a smart, beautiful, and successful woman. I look up to her in many ways. She makes me have a more positive attitude towards many things that are going on in my life. What I really love about her is that when she sings to her fans, she sings about reality, things that actually go on in today's society. She also lets her fans know that she suffers just as much as we do, and that her life is not as glamorus as we may think it is.