My Life - Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige's 1994 album 'My Life' is the definitive hip-hop soul record. With its blend of gritty hip-hop beats and Blige's raw, emotive vocals, the album captured the pain and struggle of life in the inner city. Blige's songwriting is deeply personal, tackling themes of depression, addiction, and heartbreak with a level of honesty that was rare for an R&B artist at the time.

The album's influence on the genre is massive, as it paved the way for a generation of artists to be more vulnerable and authentic in their music.