From an interview with Mary J. Blige
http://realitytvmagazine.sheknows.co...movie-careers/
“I have many musical influences; you could start with Aretha Franklin, Anita Baker, Sam Cooke, Teena Marie, Chaka Khan it just keeps going–Mavis Staples and
Stevie Nicks even and Pat Benatar we grew up listening to we were kids running home from school to watch “Love is a Battlefield” video so we never forgot those people who inspired us.”