Mary J. Blige was dubbed a Musical Icon at the MTV Awards in Las Vegas on Sunday.
Blige, the Queen of Hip Hop Soul, was being celebrated for her 'musical excellence'. She received the award from Janet Jackson and was escorted onto the stage by Sean 'Diddy' Coombs, who was also the MC for the event.
Speaking at the event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Blige said she was in a "dream right now" after receiving the honour.
She pointed out that the journey had not been an easy one - "I've been on a journey for a long time, one that didn't always look the way you see me now, one that is filled with a lot of heartache and pain. But God helped me to channel those experiences and emotions in my music, which is where I started in music."
Blige joins a list of previous recipients that includes Prince, Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, Neil Diamond and Janet Jackson too.
Blige's success dates back to her 2001 single Family Affair, which topped the Billboard Hot 100. That was followed by four number one albums on the Billboard 200. "So ghetto and so fabulous and people were threatened by that. Now, everybody wants to be ghetto fabulous."
(From: NPR, 16 May 2022)
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