On Dec. 2 GRAMMY-winning R&B singer/songwriter Mary J. Blige released her 13th studio album, The London Sessions. Prior to the album's release, Blige participated in an exclusive GRAMMY.com interview to discuss the making of the album, collaborating with current 57th GRAMMY nominee Sam Smith on the lead single "Therapy" and her journey to London to record the album, among other topics.

"I never let anybody in like this, not this close … but I just felt like it was time," said Blige regarding the recording of The London Sessions. "I'm not afraid to let people see who Mary J. Blige is." 

A nine-time GRAMMY winner hailing from New York, Blige launched her music career with the release of her debut album, 1992's What's The 411? Combining modern R&B with an edgy rap sound, the album peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 on the strength of the Top 10 single "Real Love." Blige followed with 1994's My Life, which was co-produced by fellow GRAMMY winner Sean "P. Diddy" Combs and peaked at No. 7, garnering Blige her first GRAMMY nomination for Best R&B Album. That same year she took home her first GRAMMY for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group for her duet with Method Man on "I'll Be There For You/You're All I Need To Get By."        

Blige earned her first No. 1 album with 1997's Share My World, which featured the hits "I Can Love You" and "Everything" and earned a GRAMMY nomination for Best R&B Album. She subsequently released additional Top 10 albums, including The Breakthrough (2006, No. 1), which featured the GRAMMY-winning hit "Be Without You," Growing Pains (2007, No. 1), and her first-ever holiday album, A Mary Christmas (2013, No. 10).

Co-produced by GRAMMY-winning producer Rodney Jerkins, The London Sessions features 12 tracks, including collaborations with Smith, British producer Naughty Boy ("Whole Damn Year") and GRAMMY-nominated British duo Disclosure ("Right Now"). The album debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard 200, marking her 13th Top 10 album. 

Blige is a current 57th GRAMMY nominee for Best Dance Recording for "F For You" with Disclosure. She was also a performer on the recent "A Very GRAMMY Christmas" holiday special.