Mary J. Blige's major debut WHAT'S THE 411 marked a change in R&B to a more hip-hop oriented sound. That isn't to say it isn't soulful because the point of hip-hop soul is to have soulful vocals against a hip-hop backdrop. WHAT'S THE 411 masters that concept and Mary J. Blige has honed an improved upon that concept through each successive album rarely taking backsteps along the journey.

This album is packed with some hits, songs that Mary will always be known for. "Reminisce" is a great track showcasing Blige's vocals (a combination between the sensibilities of hip-hop and Aretha, Gladys, Patti, etc...). "You Remind Me" is another Blige staples as well as "Sweet Thing" and "Love No Limit". Basically, this is a classic album that you don't get tired of listening over and over again and it is the "breakthrough" of Mary J. Blige. If WHATS THE 411? is the breakthrough, then THE BREAKTHROUGH is the affirmation and the point of arrival of the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul's status and function in the R&B world. In an R&B world where some of R&B new-found hip-hop sensibility has went in the adverse direction, Mary J. Blige keeps the soul of R&B alive. 5 stars for "The 1st Breakthrough".

I fell in love with this album the first time I heard it, even though "Real Love" was her first single into this world. Mary was on a mission that decade. Coming straight out of Yonkers in her tight jeans, and combat boots, carrying her amazing voice ready to take aim at our hearts.

Believe it or not, there was a time when Sean "Puffy" Combs really added a lot to the music world. On this album, Puffy was doing what he does (did?) best, producing an up and coming artist. He took Mary's outstanding smooth and sexy voice and produced an amazing R&B record with some hip hop influences (witness the Notorious BIG making a small guest appearance).

Mary is a artistic female singers in R&B history. In this album there are absolutely no weak tracks, and the ones that are average are still good. This of course comes with the irresistible "Real Love", a decent cover of "Sweet Thing" and the tantalizing, emotional duet with K-Ci of Jodeci, "I Don't Want To Do Anything".


Who would of guess this was just a warm-up for what was still yet to come from one of the premier singers of the 90's. For those of you who don't know why Mary is the Queen of Hip-Hop/Soul then pick this up and find out why. Even her "My Life" and "Share My World" albums are equally good.

Continue what you do best Mary.

All it took was for me to hear the song, "You Remind Me" and I've been hooked ever since. The so-called remake queen got her start with "What's The 411". OK so Mary J. Blige uses old rap music samples and changes around old r&b lyrics. So what! What it comes down to are can you make a good album. Once that happens, the next question is can you keep making good albums. Few people today still can't match how Mary was able to sing r&b lyrics and still reach a hardcore hip hop fan. With the help of Mark Morales, Cory Rooney, Puff Daddy, Devante, K-Ci, Grand Puba and others, Mary J. Blige created a masterpiece. Few artists, rap or r&b, debuts hit like Mary J. Blige's debut did. It hit so hard that Puff Daddy had to create a "What's The 411, (The Remix Album). The whole CD is tight with my favorites being, "Reminisce", "Sweet Thing", "I Don't Want to Do Anything" w/K- Ci, "Love No Limit", and "My Love". To anyone that owns any Mary J. Blige CD and doesn't have this one, you don't know what you're missing.

In anticipation of Mary's new joint, I had a Mary-athon - not to compare one album to the next but just to appreciate where she started as an artist and how she's grown & evolved to now. I actually didn't buy this album until after I'd purchased & fell in love with 'My Life'.

Back in 1992, Mary took the r&b world by storm with this release. NOBODY was doing music that so successfully mixed hip hop beats with such a soulful voice and rightfully almost every single released soared up the top 10 charts of r&b music.

Listening to it again was cool and I noticed that songs I loved then, I still love now and the good thing about these particular singles is that they sound TIMELESS - they're not specific to the 90's. The standout tracks to me are: REMINISCE, REAL LOVE, YOU REMIND ME & LOVE NO LIMIT.

Tracks that I haven't really listened to consistently but upon this listen really sounded great to me are: I DON'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING & SLOW DOWN. Her cover of SWEET THING gets an honorable mention but really doesn't quite come up to the level of Chaka Khan's original but it is a nice shout out.

Overall I'd give the disc an B+ rating because there's only 2 tracks that I consider filler and they are even great to listen to because of the beats the 7 songs I mentioned are truly enjoyable to listen to even now, 13 years after they were released. So if you're curious about the beginnings of the 'Queen of Hip Hop/Soul' and enjoy this genre of music, I'd highly recommend you getting this disc.

Mary J. Blige dropped the classic debut album back in 92 and marks the beginning of her reign as the Queen Of Hip Hop & R&B. Mary J. Blige has that special and unique street edge and the sense of realness in her lyrics that is unmatched today in music. She is easily the most influential and best female R&B artist of the 90's.

Real Love is the song that catapulted her into the public's eye, with the help and guidance from Sean Puffy Combs, and the product was something new and fresh at the time. You Remind Me is a tough, street, soul anthem and is a definite classic. The soul she puts into her music is unparalleled and her honest singing is amazing on this track and throughout the cd. She makes you feel like she is right there with you and she is taking you on a journey with her. Her voice is probably at its strongest and smoothest on this cd as well. Just check the sassiness of Love No Limit or the emotion relayed in her duet with K-Ci I Don't Want To Do Anything. She remakes a classic on Sweet Thing and She even kicks it freestyle like with Grand Puba on the title track.

Mary J. Blige sings her ghetto trials with much emotion and feeling and has blossomed into a bona fide musical icon. It wouldn't do you any harm to pick up the first chapter of her legacy. A timeless classic.