Aahana Swrup
Throughout her career as a singer, rapper, actress, and more, Mary J. Blige has garnered many fans and won even more hearts. As a result, her unique storytelling endeavor with Lifetime, in which original films are created based on her songs, has expectedly increased public interest in her life. ‘Mary Blige’s Strength of a Woman,’ the second film in the series, follows the protagonist, Kendra, in her adult life as a successful photographer who is happily married to her surgeon husband, Kevin.
Nonetheless, hidden complications plague the couple’s marriage and are brought to the forefront once her former college sweetheart, Ben Baldwin, reappears in her life. Consequently, Kendra is forced to re-evaluate her marriage and take back the reigns of her life. Kevin’s on-screen character retains certain dissimilarities from Blige’s real-life ex-spouse, Kendu Issacs. Even so, the character may incite an intrigue in his possible real-life inspiration.
Martin Kendu Issacs and Mary J. Blige Ended Their Marriage on a Bitter Note
Mary J. Blige married Martin “Kendu” Issacs in 2003. During the course of their relationship, Issacs became his partner’s manager and began collaborating with her on her music as a record producer. His work on his ex-wife’s music can be most significantly seen in her eighth album from 2007 titled ‘Growing Pains.’ Issacs has multiple producing credits on the tracks from that record, including songs like “What Love Is,” “Talk to Me,” “Hurt Again,” and more. He was also an executive producer on several of her albums, including ‘My Life II…The Journey Continues (Act 1)’ and ‘Stronger With Each Tear.’
Prior to that, Issacs had notable credits on other iconic musician’s discography, including the 1998 song “Parlay” by Queen Latifah, in which he served as a producer. Likewise, he also dabbled in producing other artists’ work, including LaNeah Menzies, popularly known as Starshell. However, his work in music production and management came to an end alongside his relationship with Blige. After 13 years of marriage, the singer-songwriter filed for divorce against Issacs in 2016. Blige reportedly cited “irreconcilable differences” for the divorce and accused her now ex-husband of having an extramarital affair during their relationship. At the time, it was alleged that he cheated on Blige with Starshell.
During the divorce proceedings, Blige attempted to fight back against paying spousal support. Nonetheless, she was ultimately ordered to pay $30,000 per month in alimony. As per reports, Issacs claimed to be “unemployable” and sought to increase the spousal support amount to $110,000. Moreover, in 2018, he also claimed that the stressful divorce had an adverse effect on his life, leading to financial and health complications that resulted in hospitalization. After the end of his marriage, he also parted ways with Blige’s Matriarch Entertainment Company label, where he worked as the COO. Now, Issacs continues to remain unattached to Blige, professionally and otherwise. His last known updates suggest that he has returned to being a manager at his Berlin-based company, K. I. Management.
The Father of Three Has Withdrawn to a Private Life These Days
Since the divorce between Martin Kendu Issacs and Mary J. Blige, the record producer has returned to somewhat of a private life—especially in comparison to his previous overwhelming public presence. Even though he and Blige never had any kids together, he had three children from previous relationships. He has one daughter, Briana Latrise, from an earlier relationship and two kids, Jordan and Nas, from his first marriage.
While little is known about Issacs’ relationship with his younger kids, he seems to sport a close connection with his oldest daughter. Briana has made a name for herself as an influencer and musical artist after getting a start in the public eye through the WeTV show ‘Growing Up Hip Hop.’ She has previously expressed her regret over the end of his father’s relationship with stepmother, Blige, and continues to remain by Issacs’ side as a support. From spending Halloween to impromptu lunches together, the father-daughter duo remains close. Nonetheless, aside from a few sparse updates on his social media accounts, Issacs has maintained a relatively private screen over his life in the past few years.
Read More: Where Are Mary J Blige’s Siblings Now?
