mind. >> survival. my mom was that woman as well because my mom was a single parent. and we didn't live in a great neighborhood. we lived in almost you could call it beirut. for a child it was like a war zone. her whole goal was survival for her children. >> reporter: young mary's survival mechanism was singing. >> i would wake up in the morning singing commercials, singing songs. singing just -- i would wake up out of my sleep, aaah. and my sister was like shut up, shut up. i just loved it. >> who was your favorite go-to? >> the children's aid society commercial. remember that? >> sing it for me. ♪ he helps me with my homework when i'm stuck ♪ ♪ they help me with my homework when i'm stuck ♪ >> i can't remember -- i remember it but i don't want to go through all that. >> reporter: blige hit commercial success with her first album, which was considered a revolutionary blend of r&b and rap. ♪