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AS ANY FAN of urban music knows, the genre of contemporary R&B music is an ever-changing landscape of artists who achieve unparalleled success one year and then struggle to find an audience the next. One exception to this rule is the "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul" - - Mary J. Blige.
For over a decade, Blige has attained icon-like status in not only urban music but also popular music. When Blige dropped her debut album "What's the 411?" in 1992, fans were floored by the sound of her distinctive and soulful voice over innovative, edgy hip- hop beats, provided by then little-known producer Sean "Puffy" Combs.
Along with Combs, Blige was able to push the hybrid category of hip-hop soul into the forefront of contemporary R&B music.
Following the release of...