According to The Root, Mary J. Blige is set to be inducted into the historic Apollo Walk of Fame on Friday, May 28.
Nine-time Grammy-winning artist Blige will be inducted alongside other legendary artists such as Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Gladys Knight, and the Pips, Little Richard, Patti Labelle, Smokey Robinson, Quincy Jones, and more.
The Apollo will also unveil a plaque in Blige’s honor that speaks to her impact on the culture, career longevity, and international success.
Due to her decades-long success, Blige is expected to give a speech along with Apollo Theater Executive Producer Kamilah Forbes, Apollo Theater Board Chair Charles Phillips, and Billy “Mr. Apollo” Mitchell.
Blige is more than just the average artist; expanding her talents beyond the music industry and going above and beyond has led her to the recognition she is receiving now.
According to Lohud, Blige first appeared on “Showtime at the Apollo” in 1992 with her performance of “You Remind Me,” and then went on to appear on the hit series in 1995 and 2001, and at the Apollo with a sold-out concert of her own in 2002.
The star later recounted the beginnings of her life in the music business in a 2015 Elle magazine interview.
“It was inside a new karaoke machine at the Galleria Mall in Westchester,” Blige said. “They had just put a new karaoke machine in there, and I went and sang one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite artists at the time, ‘Caught Up in the Rapture by Anita Baker. And that was the tape that got me my record deal.”
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After appearing in 2017’s Mudbound, Blige also secured two Academy Award nominations, two Golden Globe nominations, and a SAG nomination for her role as Florence Jackson.
She stars in a lead role on Starz Power Book 2: Ghost and can be seen next in the upcoming Aretha Franklin biopic RESPECT in August.
Blige will also be the executive producer of a new documentary for Amazon on the 25th anniversary of her famous album “My Life” with Oscar-winning filmmaker Vanessa Roth.
