by Mary J. Blige is widely considered one of the greatest R&B artists of all time. Over her 30-year career, she has won 9 Grammys and sold over 80 million records worldwide. However, none of this would have been possible without the immense influence of soul music legends like Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and Chaka Khan. While their definitive rankings in Blige’s personal top 3 favorites remain unknown, these artists have undeniably shaped her signature sound and storytelling style.
Aretha Franklin’s Powerful Vocals
No discussion of Mary J. Blige’s influences would be complete without mentioning Aretha Franklin. Often referred to as the “Queen of Soul,” Franklin broke barriers as one of the first Black women to crossover to pop music in the 1960s. Her powerful yet emotive vocals defined the soul genre and influenced countless artists that followed. Blige has cited Franklin as a major inspiration since childhood, and their connection runs deep.
In the early days of her career, Blige looked to Franklin for guidance. During a difficult period where she struggled with her record label, Blige reached out to Franklin for advice. Franklin reassured her to stay true to her artistry. This vote of confidence from her idol helped Blige persevere. Beyond the mentorship, Franklin’s singing deeply resonated with Blige on a personal level.
Blige has covered numerous Franklin songs over the years, most notably “Ain’t No Way” on her 2008 album Growing Pains. Her raw rendition pays homage to Franklin’s signature vocal delivery – filled with grit, soul, and raw emotion. Beyond just covers, Franklin’s influence is evident in Blige’s own style. Like Franklin, Blige utilizes vocal runs, melismatic phrases, and breathtaking high notes to fully express sorrow and joy through song. Both artists understand the power of vocals to convey intimate human experiences.
This connection between the two singers runs deeper than surface level musical influence. As Black women pioneering genres dominated by men, they faced shared challenges that only each other could truly understand. In a 2016 interview, Blige said of Franklin “I felt every pain in her voice…she made me feel like my life mattered through her music.” For Blige, Franklin represented the possibility of using one’s voice to uplift others through shared struggles. This philosophy would come to define Blige’s own iconic career.
Stevie Wonder’s Songwriting Mastery
Another legend who profoundly shaped Mary J. Blige’s artistry is Stevie Wonder. A prolific singer and songwriter, Wonder virtually reinvented soul and R&B music throughout the 1970s. His blend of funk, pop, jazz, and politics delivered powerful messages with infectious melodies. For Blige, Wonder’s music provided solace during hard times and opened her mind to new possibilities in songwriting.
In multiple interviews, Blige has cited Wonder’s classic album Songs in the Key of Life as particularly inspiring. Released in 1976, the double LP showed Wonder’s mastery across genres, instruments, and composition. For a young Blige, it was a revelation to see an artist with such control over his entire creative process. She admired Wonder’s ability to pour intimate details and social commentary into catchy, emotionally resonant songs.
This influence is apparent in Blige’s own albums like Share My World and My Life. Like Wonder, she seamlessly blended genres while using her lyrics to shed light on personal struggles and societal issues. Wonder’s songwriting prowess pushed Blige to elevate her compositions and tell deeper stories through music. She sought to match his level of artistry by infusing soul with funk, hip hop, and raw emotion.
Beyond the musical aspects, Wonder’s songs also provided solace for Blige during dark periods. In a radio interview, she said Wonder’s “Living For The City” gave her strength on tough days, reminding her of humanity’s capacity for compassion. His music showed Blige how art could be both commercially successful and politically progressive. This duality would become a hallmark of her own iconic albums like No More Drama. Overall, Wonder expanded Blige’s vision of what an R&B artist could achieve and represent.
Chaka Khan’s Powerhouse Vocals
Another female vocal icon who deeply shaped Mary J. Blige’s style is Chaka Khan. Known as the “Queen of Funk,” Khan delivered powerhouse vocals with a wide range well before Blige began her career. Across the 1970s and 80s, Khan established herself at the vanguard of funk, soul, and pop music with the band Rufus. Her emotive delivery and vocal riffs left an indelible mark on the genre.
Blige has frequently cited Khan as one of her primary vocal influences due to her raw energy and soulfulness. In a 2010 interview, she called Khan “the original person who made me want to sing.” Like Khan, Blige utilizes her vocals to convey every emotion imaginable. Their delivery swells and soars, hitting impressive high notes while maintaining gritty authenticity. Both understand the visceral power of the human voice to connect with listeners on a deep level.
This influence is audible when comparing signature songs from each artist. On her 1973 smash “Sweet Thing,” Khan delivers a climactic belt that stops you in your tracks – a moment that clearly inspired similar climaxes in Blige songs. Their vocal runs also share fluidity, stretching phrases to fully express joy or pain. Blige sought to channel Khan’s command of her instrument through emotive phrasing and dynamic shifts.
Beyond just vocals, Khan also showed Blige how to blend genres as a Black woman in a male-dominated industry. As one of the first to successfully fuse funk and disco, Khan proved that cross-genre artistry could find mainstream success. This likely inspired Blige to pioneer her own subgenre of hip hop soul music in the 1990s. Both Khan and Blige expanded perceptions of what Black female artists could achieve, paving the way for others through their boundary-pushing talents.
A Legacy of Inspiration
Through their iconic careers, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and Chaka Khan left an indelible mark on popular music and beyond. But their influence also extends to the artists they inspired, particularly Mary J. Blige. Across three decades in the industry, Blige has proven herself as one of the greatest soul/R&B performers of all time – but she did not get there alone. The musical legacies of Franklin, Wonder, and Khan shaped Blige’s signature vocal style, songwriting approach, and worldview as an artist.
By covering their songs, discussing their impacts in interviews, and emulating their talents in her own work, Blige pays homage to the legends who guided her path. While their definitive rankings in her personal top 3 may remain private, the influences of Franklin, Wonder, and Khan are undeniably integral to understanding Blige’s artistry. Their sounds of soul endure through new generations of inspired artists, including the incomparable Mary J. Blige. Hers is truly a career built upon the foundations laid by icons who came before.
