Mary J. Blige has had a remarkably enduring and successful career, but it took some time for her to get to this point. Here are eight things you may not know about the Queen of Hip-Hop/Soul.

• 8 Things You May Not Know About Mary J. Blige

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  Mary dropped out of high school in her junior year. She was 16 years old.

• 8 Things You May Not Know About Mary J. Blige

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  Her first label was Uptown Records. And at the time she was signed (in 1989), she was the youngest and first female artist they ever had.

• 8 Things You May Not Know About Mary J. Blige

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  Her album, What's The 411, got the name from Mary's past occupation. Before making it big, she was a 4-1-1- operator.
• 8 Things You May Not Know About Mary J. Blige

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  So far in her career, Mary has released 13 studio albums. She's also made over 150 guest appearances on other albums and soundtracks.

• 8 Things You May Not Know About Mary J. Blige

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  She wasn't always the big dog. At the beginning of her career, Mary was a backup singer until her 'Whats' The 411' album dropped.

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  Music runs in her family - Mary's father was a Jazz musician. Her mother was a nurse.
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  She had a perfume line. 'My Life' launched in 2010.

• 8 Things You May Not Know About Mary J. Blige

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  She was discovered after covering an Anita Baker song - at 17, Mary covered "Caught Up In The Rapture," and it got the attention of execs at Uptown Records.

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