| What's the 411? | 
 enlarge | Artist: Mary J. Blige
Label: Mca
Category: Music
List Price: $9.98
Buy Used: $2.73
You Save: $7.25 (73%)
New (47) Used (44) Collectible (5) from $2.73
Avg. Customer Rating:  65 reviews
Sales Rank: 5494
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 4.7 x 0.5
MPN: 10681
UPC: 008811068127
EAN: 0008811068127
ASIN: B000002OME
Release Date: July 28, 1992
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | Leave a Message - Mary J. Blige, Combs, Sean "Puffy" | | • | Reminisce - Mary J. Blige, Greene, Kenny "G-Lo | | • | Real Love - Mary J. Blige, Morales, Mark | | • | You Remind Me - Mary J. Blige, Hall, Dave [1] | | • | Intro Talk - Mary J. Blige, Rhymes, Busta | | • | Sweet Thing - Mary J. Blige, Khan, Chaka | | • | Love No Limit - Mary J. Blige, Greene, Kenny "G-Lo | | • | I Don't Want to Do Anything - Mary J. Blige, Hailey, Joel "Jo Jo | | • | Slow Down - Mary J. Blige, Keeley, Joseph E. | | • | My Love - Mary J. Blige, Greene, Kenny | | • | Changes I've Been Going Through - Mary J. Blige, Combs, Sean "Puffy" | | • | What's the 411? - Mary J. Blige, Dixon, M. |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Perhaps the true test of a classic is this: something that's commonplace now but at the time appeared revolutionary. The notion that a female R&B singer could be as informed by the Real Roxanne as she was by Aretha Franklin, that she could give love to the streets and the roughnecks--while still delivering soul-drenched love songs that came from that wounded womanly space--was, in a word, groundbreaking. It was the sound of the New Jills, and of a new genre, aptly called hip-hop soul. Featuring production from a then-upstart Puffy, and a collection of songs that alternately swagger and seduce--"You Remind Me," "Real Love," "Reminisce"--What's the 411? may not be Blige's finest work (that honor may go to its moody follow-up, My Life). But its ghetto-fied grooves dominated the radio then, and they still sound fierce today, even with a slew of lesser imitators attempting to do what the rough and ready Blige did so effortlessly back in the day. --Amy Linden
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| Customer Reviews: Read 60 more reviews...
"The 1st Breakthrough" June 14, 2006
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
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".
.... This is how it all started June 26, 2000
4 out of 7 found this review helpful
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.
Once I heard "You Remind Me" and I've been hooked ever since. May 29, 2006
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
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.
 Great vocals, great production April 28, 2000
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
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 a tight r&b record with some hip hop influences (witness the Notorious BIG making a small guest appearance).Some of the songs on this album are just great. "Real Love" and even more so "Sweet Thing" are pure genius. Although these are Mary's songs (well, she sings them although she didn't write them) and her voice is lovely, Puffy's production also really shines. If you are looking for great, mellow r&b without any of the over production of some of today's attempts (anyone else think that some of Whitney's or Toni Braxton's stuff is over done?) this is a disc for you. The production here is equally as good as the vocals and the music, but it doesn't overshadow the music, only adds to it. Although this disc is a bit dated now, I still throw it in every now and again and listen to the beforementioned "Sweet Thing" or some of the others for some smooth, mellow r&b which goes great with a nice Merlot and some late evening company.
Classic Material May 30, 2002
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
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.
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