But no examination of her career would be complete without Andre Harrell, the Uptown Records founder who discovered Blige and signed her straight out of the Schlobohm housing projects in Yonkers, New York.
Harrell, who passed away on May 7, 2020, is featured in the doc via interviews recorded prior to his death, and Blige tells The Hollywood Reporter that she still “doesn’t have enough words” to describe his influence on her life.
In expressing myself and writing down my feelings and singing it and putting it into this album, and then all the fans, 4 million people responded and said, “Me too.” It started a movement.
Two years ago, when I was on tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of My Life, Time magazine named it one of the 100 most important albums and Billboard gave it .
I think it was necessary to travel back to show people where all the pain came from in the My Life album, where all the trauma, depression and suicidal thoughts came from, and explain what happened to that little girl.
At the same time, you do it respectfully.
Some things you have to take to your grave if you’re a woman of standards and dignity.
I don’t even have enough words, because if it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be sitting here doing this interview right now.
It came from walking out of our buildings in the projects and seeing the drug dealers there with their coats, or the guys with their hats turned backward.
I’ve got to work with acting coaches and work to be the best because they want to see me.” I want to be the best to make sure that I am happy with it.