What's the 411?
| What's the 411? | ||||
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| Studio album by Mary J. Blige | ||||
| Released | July 28, 1992 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 51:59 | |||
| Label | Uptown/MCA | |||
| Producer | Puff Daddy (exec.), Mark Morales, Mark C. Rooney, Dave Hall, DeVante Swing, Tony Dofat | |||
| Mary J. Blige chronology | ||||
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| Singles from What's the 411? | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |  |
| Chicago Tribune |  |
| Christgau's Consumer Guide |  |
| Encyclopedia of Popular Music | |
| Entertainment Weekly | A |
| Los Angeles Times | |
| MusicHound R&B | 3/5 |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | |
What's the 411? is the debut album by American recording artist Mary J. Blige, released on July 28, 1992 by Uptown/MCA Records . Upon being signed to Uptown Records, she began working with record producer Puff Daddy. The album spawned six singles, including "You Remind Me" and "Real Love".
The album peaked at number six on the US Billboard 200 and topped the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album eventually sold 3.4 million copies and was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It received generally favorable reviews from music critics, who noted Blige's strong, soulful voice. She was also praised for combining hip hop and soul music, subsequently earning her the title "Queen of Hip Hop Soul".
At the age of 17, Blige recorded a cover version of Anita Baker's "Caught Up in the Rapture" in a recording booth at a local mall. Her mother's boyfriend at the time later played the cassette to recording artist and A&R runner for Uptown Records, Jeff Redd. Redd then sent it to the president and chief executive officer of the label, Andre Harrell. Blige met with Harrell in 1990 and performed the song for him. She was signed to Uptown and became the label's youngest and third female recording artist (after Finesse N' Synquis).
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Wikipedia