TAKING U BACK:

Taking U back to What's the 411? The debut album by recording artist Mary J. Blige, released July 28, 1992. After being signed to Uptown Records, Blige began working with record producer Puff Daddy. He became the executive producer and produced a majority of the album. The title, What's the 411?, derived from Blige's past occupation as a 4-1-1 operator; it was also an indication by Blige of being the "real deal". The album contains elements of hip hop soul and new jack swing, The music was described as "revelatory on a frequent basis". Blige was noted for having a "tough girl persona and streetwise lyrcs", which gave the album "a gritty undertone and a realism missing from much of the devotional love songs ruling the charts at that time".

The album lead to Blige being dubbed as the reigning "Queen of Hip Hop Soul". Stanton Swihart of Allmusic called the album "the decade's most explosive, coming-out displays of pure singing prowess". It is argued that the album is "one of the most important albums of the nineties". The album earned Blige two Soul Train Music Awards in 1993: Best New R&B Artist and Best R&B Album, Female.

Blige's combination of vocals over a hip hop beat became influential in R&B. She is credited for creating the hybrid genre hip hop soul, as well as pioneering neo soul. Along with Puff Daddy, Blige attributed to the "sample-heavy sound that reinvigorated urban radio", which became "a blueprint for nineties hip-hop and R&B".

Track listing:
1. Leave a Message
2. Reminisce
3. Real Love
4. You Remind Me
5. Intro Talk
6. Sweet Thing
7. Love No Limit
8. I Don't Want to Do Anything
9. Slow Down
10. My Love
11. Changes I've Been Going Through
12. What's the 411?

Enjoy the singles released off the album