Mary J. Blige is an American singer, producer, actress, and songwriter who is considered an icon in the global music industry and popular culture. Blige has sold over 50 million albums worldwide and won nine Grammy Awards to date.
Her career in music started right after she dropped out of high school. She started with the Yonkers band named ‘Pride’ and recorded a cover of “Caught Up in the Rapture” by Anita Baker. The cover she did became a hit and she was eventually signed by Uptown Records as a backup vocalist in 1989, making her the label’s first female and youngest artist.
Aside from music, Blige has also made a career out of acting. Some of her movie roles include debuting as a preacher’s daughter on the sitcom, “The Jamie Foxx Show” in 1998. She also starred in the independent film, “Prison Song” in 2001, and in “The Exonerated,” in 2014. In addition, she was featured in the show, “Ghost Whisperer” and made a guest appearance on the ABC drama, “How to Get Away with Murder” in October 2016.
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Blige also has a number of lucrative business ventures and partnerships that earn her revenue outside her music career. Below are some of these businesses.
Sun Goddess
In 2020, Mary J Blige ventured into the wine industry with her own brand called Sun Goddess. The brand takes its name from Mary J. Blige’s childhood memories and her love for the energy of the sun. According to the Hollywood Reporter, she partnered with Italian wine company, Fantinel Winery, to launch her brand.
“A dear friend introduced me to Marco Fantinel, referring to him as the producer of the best pinot grigio in the world. After walking through the vineyards and tasting with the Fantinel family, I felt extremely connected to the place, and more importantly, the people,” Blige said.
The wine brand comprises pinot grigio ramato and a sauvignon blanc.
Perfume brand
The nine-time Grammy winner is the owner of the perfume brand, “My Life.” She developed the fragrance with the brand, Carol’s Daughter, and named the perfume after her landmark 1994 recording.
It was sold exclusively through HSN, and shattered sales records on the first day. According to her, the perfume brand is a reflection of her personality, “..Me and a lot of my fans want to smell soft and a little fruity – but not too fruity with bees chasing us around – and also strong and beautiful.”
Blige says she created the perfume because she wanted to do something special for her female fans.
Melodies
Right after launching her perfume, Blige launched her sunglasses brand, Melodies by MJB, according to Essence. The sunglasses featured a variety of colors, all designed by the songstress-who has made sunglasses her signature since coming on the scene.
Matriarch Records
In 2004, she established her own record label, Matriarch Records, which distributed her music through Atlantic Records. Starshell became the first artist on Mary J Blige’s record label.
The label, which has artists from the worlds of R&B and rap on its roster, was born out of Blige’s frustration with her inability to foster the careers of artists she discovers.
Aside from her businesses, Blige also has impressive endorsement deals that bring in extra cash. Some of her endorsement deals are with American Express, AT&T, MAC, Apple, Burger King, Chevrolet, Reebok, Air Jordan, Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Gap, and Target.
