From the soulful notes of her breakthrough hits to her emphatic mark in film and television, Mary J. Blige has proven that she is far more than just a musical legend. Since her debut as Uptown Records’ youngest and first female artist at 18, she has accrued accolades that testify to her artistic prowess, bagging many awards ranging from Grammy Awards to BET Honors. But beyond the limelight of the stage, the queen of hip-hop soul has been silently building an empire that exemplifies her entrepreneurial flair.
Not just a songbird, Blige has diversified her talents and interests into many ventures. From running her record label to pioneering her wine brand and carving a niche in the cosmetics space for women, she is a force to be reckoned with in the business world. Collaborating with industry moguls like Sean “Diddy” Combs and Kevin Durant, her investments further amplify her commitment to uplift minority- and women-owned brands. Through initiatives such as the Strength of A Woman festival, she’s made strategic alliances with giants like Pepsi, fostering growth and creating unparalleled opportunities for Black women.
This article delves into Blige’s corporate cosmos, spotlighting five of her most impressive entrepreneurial pursuits.
Blue Butterfly Productions
Blue Butterfly Productions is a film, TV, and digital content company founded in 2019 whose mission is the development of mixed-themed, independent media projects dealing primarily with people of color, women, gays, lesbians, bisexual, and transgender people. The company is based in Los Angeles, California.
Matriarch Records
Blige launched her record label, Matriarch Records, in 2004, distributed through Interscope.
Melodies
In 2010, Blige released a line of sunglasses called “Melodies by MJB.” The first Melodies collection featured four styles with 20 color options.
Sun Goddess Wines are Blige’s special gift to wine lovers. Sun Goddess wines are “produced with love and passion from sun-kissed vineyards owned by the Fantinel family in Friuli Venezia Giulia.”
My Life Perfume
In 2010, launched the My Life perfume with the renowned beauty brand Carol’s Daughter.Â
