Mary J. Blige

American singer-songwriter born in 1971 in the Bronx; widely described as the 'queen of hip-hop soul', debuted with What's the 411? in 1992 and has sold around 40 million records worldwide.

Born 1971 in the Bronx. Debut album: What's the 411? (1992). Known for blending soul and hip hop; commercially successful (≈40 million records sold).

The review praises Mary J. Blige's voice and stature as the 'queen of hip-hop soul' while criticizing Reflections (A Retrospective) for a commercially driven track selection. It notes important early work and intimate tracks are missing, reducing the compilation's value as an introduction. The reviewer remains a devoted fan despite the album's shortcomings.

For:R&B, soul and hip-hop soul fans; listeners exploring Mary J. Blige's catalog; album collectors