LAS VEGAS, NV – Mary J. Blige, the legendary singer-songwriter, actress and performer will be honored with the Icon Award at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards on Sunday, May 15.
The Icon Award, which was first created in 2011, honors and recognizes artists who have achieved excellence on the Billboard charts and who have made a significant impact on music.
Blige, who is commonly referred to as the “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul,” will be the 11th artist to receive the award. Past recipients include fellow icons Neil Diamond, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Jennifer Lopez, Celine Dion, Cher, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Garth Brooks and Pink.
In addition to receiving the prestigious award, Blige will also take the stage for what is sure to be an unforgettable performance.
“My career has been such an incredible and unexpected journey that has included many turns into avenues I never could have imagined like acting, producing, launching businesses and now even my own music festival,” Blige said in a statement on Thursday. “Through it all, I always one way or another gravitated back to my first love, music. To be recognized in this way at this moment, with the Icon Award at the Billboard Music Awards, is an incredible honor and one that I am truly humbled by.”
Throughout her decades-long career, Blige has racked up numerous awards including nine Grammy Awards, 10 Billboard Music Awards and the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2019 BET Awards.
Blige won her first Billboard Music Award in 1995 for R&B Album of the Year. She went on to win nine awards at the 2006 BBMAs.
Her Icon Award only adds to what has been an incredible year – Blige released her 14th studio album Good Morning Gorgeous on February 11 and was also a part of the now-iconic Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show that featured hip-hop heavyweights Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and special guests 50 Cent and Anderson .Paak.
The 2022 Billboard Music Awards is set to broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 15 at 5 p.m. PT/ 8 p.m. ET on NBC. The show will also stream live on Peacock.
