Chucky Thompson speaks at a Recording Academy event in January 2009. The late producer created some of the most celebrated hits of the '90s "hip-hop soul" era. Joe Kohen/WireImage for NARAS/Getty Images hide caption
Mary J. Blige Mary J. Blige artist page: interviews, features and/or performances archived at NPR Music
Mary J. Blige
Jay-Z (pictured in 2005) was nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Wednesday, in his first year of eligibility. Scott Gries/Getty Images hide caption
Chuck Berry in the Chess Records recording studio. The New York Times reports that originals of Berry's Chess catalog were burned in the 2008 Universal fire. Gilles Petard/Redferns/Getty Images hide caption
From Chuck Berry To Tupac Shakur: Taking Stock Of The 2008 Universal Fire
Ariana Grande. Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Whitney Houston (shown here performing in 1994) starred in the movie Waiting To Exhale, and contributed several songs to its breathtaking, beloved soundtrack. Patrick Hertzog/AFP/Getty Images hide caption
(From left to right) Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders; Debbie Harry of Blondie; Viv Albertine of The Slits; Poly Styrene of X-Ray Spex; Siouxsie Sioux of Siouxsie And The Banshees; and Pauline Black of The Selecter in London in 1980. Michael Putland/Getty Images hide caption
"It's a responsibility being Mary J. Blige," the singer says. Courtesy of the artist hide caption
'I'm Not Going To Be Broken': Mary J. Blige On 'Strength Of A Woman'
Mary J. Blige's Strength Of A Woman is due out sometime this year. Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Mary J. Blige has just released a new album, her 13th, called The London Sessions. Polina Yamshchikov for NPR hide caption
Mary J. Blige: 'I'm Not Worried, Trying To Keep It Real — I Am Real'
Nina Revisited, an all-star tribute to Nina Simone, comes out July 10. Ian Showell/Getty Images hide caption
Mary J. Blige's The London Sessions is one of Ann Powers' favorite albums of 2014. Alex Lake/Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Smokey Robinson Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Mary J. Blige's new album is My Life II. Markus Klinko and Indrani hide caption
