It was announced today that Mary J. Blige will sing the National Anthem prior to the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby. Blige, who has been dubbed the “Queen of Hip Hop Soul”, is scheduled to sing “The Star Spangled Banner” around 5:10 p.m. ET, just following the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic, which is the race that precedes the Kentucky Derby. Blige follows Jordin Sparks who had the honor of singing it during the 2011 running.

The Kentucky Derby informed their fans today that Mary J. Blige would be singing the National Anthem, via Twitter:

KentuckyDerby.com gives a good breakdown on Blige’s career:

A singer/songwriter from the age of 18, Blige introduced her debut album, “What’s the 411,” in 1992. With two R&B No. 1 hits, “You Remind Me” and “Real Love,” the album immediately went multi-platinum. Together with her follow-up albums, eight of which have gone multi-platinum, Blige’s work has achieved worldwide sales of more than 50 million albums. She has garnered nine Grammy Awards (out of a staggering 29 nominations) and four American Music Awards. Currently in release is her 10th studio album, “My Life II. . .The Journey Continues (Act 1),” a sequel to her highly successful 1994 classic “My Life.” “My Life II” includes the cornerstone track “Living Proof,” which was featured as the closing song for the hit movie “The Help” and earned her a Golden Globe nomination. Guest artists featured on “My Life II” include Drake, Busta Rhymes and Beyonce. Blige co-wrote “I Can See Color” for the soundtrack of the 2009 movie “Precious.” In June, she will appear in “Rock of Ages,” the theatrical version of the Tony-nominated Broadway musical, with stars Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin and Catherine Zeta Jones.

News of Blige’s Kentucky Derby appearance began to spread around Twitter, and some took it as time to knock here for her recent Burger King snafu:

Churchill Downs will conduct the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 5, 2012.