Mary J. Blige, like numerous hip-hop artists before her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, faced criticism for her inclusion, given her origins in a different genre.
Yet, in an interview with The New York Post, Blige traced her musical lineage back to rock, effectively showcasing why she is truly deserving of such a prestigious accolade.
"When I was growing up.... I was listening with my mom to soul music and everything, but she also listened to soft rock," Blige recalled to the outlet. "So we knew who Elton John was 'cause they played him on these soft-rock stations. And so when I finally got in the music industry, and they was like, 'Elton John was speaking highly of you,' I was like, 'Well, I love 'Bennie and the Jets.'"
As Blige's fame skyrocketed in the 1990s, she garnered widespread praise for her distinctive approach to hip-hop. Many said she seamlessly blended both soul and R&B elements to craft her uniquely captivating music.
"And then Sting reached out, and then Eric Clapton reached out. And I said, 'Oh wow! I don't even know people even know about me like that.'' Blige fondly recalled meeting and getting praises from rock icons.
Despite collaborating with artists such as John, U2, Sting, and others, the singer of "Mary Jane (All Night Long)" was still taken aback by her nomination and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
"When I looked at the [nominees] and I saw Cher and Foreigner and all those rock' n' roll bands, I said, 'Oh well, it's really nice to have the nomination,'" she added. "Because, you know, that was heavy [competition]. You had Sade, you had Mariah [Carey]."
Blige was "grateful" and "humbled" upon hearing her induction at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, given the criticisms she faced in the past.
"It's a big deal. I'm just so grateful because I know it didn't have to be this way but it is this way, and I give all the credit to God. I don't even know what else to do. It's just so humbling," she told Tamron Hall in an interview.
In November 2024, the Rock Hall will induct Blige, Cher, Dave Matthews Band, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool & the Gang, Ozzy Osbourne and A Tribe Called Quest.
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