What's the 411?

Infobox Album |
Name = What's the 411?
Type = Album
Artist = Mary J. Blige


Released = July 28, 1992
Recorded = 1991
Genre = Hip hop, R&B
Length = 51:59
Label = Uptown/MCA
Producer = Diddy (Executive), Mark Morales, Mark C. Rooney, Dave "Jam" Hall, Devante Swing
Reviews =
* Allmusic rating|4.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:yxdsyl7jxpeb link]
Last album =
This album = "What's the 411?"
(1992)
Next album = "What's the 411? Remix"
(1993)

"What's the 411?" is the debut album by hip hop soul singer Mary J. Blige, released July 28, 1992 (see 1992 in music). The album's then-nearly unique blend of hip hop and soul have made it a pivotal album in the development, and perhaps the very first example of, hip hop soul. The album was an unexpected crossover success at a time when soul albums were unpopular as hip hop and grunge music dominated the charts; its success was buoyed by early chart success for "You Remind Me" and "Real Love".

"What's the 411?" peaked at #6 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, and topped the Top Hip Hop/R&B Albums chart. "You Remind Me" and "What's the 411?" were certified gold by the RIAA in August and September of 1992, respectively. One month later, "What's the 411?" was certified platinum and a month after that, "Real Love" was certified gold. In February of 1993, "What's the 411?" was certified double platinum but sales would soon reach that of triple platinum status.

According to the back of the CD-5 maxi single for "You Remind Me," the original title planned for the album was "Reminisce" and a number was even assigned to that title--the tray card for the single says "Original version will appear on the album 'Reminisce' UTP-10654."

Track listing

Personnel

*Vocals (Background) - Christopher Williams, Little Shawn, Grand Puba, Billy Lawrence, Mary J. Blige, Tabitha Brace, Antonio "LA Reid" Reid, Terri Robinson
*Harmony Vocals - Grand Puba, Cedric "K-Ci" Hailey
*Performer - Grand Puba, Tony Dofat, Cedric "K-Ci" Hailey
*Vocals - Mary J. Blige, Busta Rhymes
*Main performer - Mary J. Blige
*Producer - Sean "Puffy" Combs, Tony Dofat, Mark Morales, Antonio "LA Reid" Reid, DeVante Swing, Dave Hall,
*Engineer - Steven Ett, Mike Fonda, André Harrell, David Kennedy, Clark Kent, Tony Maserati, Jamie Brown, Andy Grassi
*Drum machine - Mark Morales
*Multi instruments - Darryl Pearson, DeVante Swing
*Programming - Darryl Pearson, Gordon Picket
*Keyboards - Antonio "LA Reid" Reid, C.L. Smooth, DeVante Swing, Dave Hall
*Drums - Kurt Juice, Dave Hall

Charting singles

1992 You Remind Me The Billboard Hot 100 No. 29 1992 Real Love The Billboard Hot 100 No. 7 1992 Reminisce The Billboard Hot 100 No. 57 1993 Love No Limit The Billboard Hot 100 No. 44

1992 Real Love Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks No. 1 1992 You Remind Me Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks No. 1 1993 Reminisce Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks No. 6 1993 I Don't Want to Do Anything Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks No. 86 1994 My Love Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks No. 23

1992 You Remind Me Rhythmic Top 40 No. 23 1993 Reminisce Rhythmic Top 40 No. 34 1993 Love No Limit Rhythmic Top 40 No. 15

1992 Real Love Top 40 Mainstream No. 8

1992 Real Love Hot Dance Music/Club Play No. 36 1992 You Remind Me Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles SalesNo. 7 1993 Love No Limit Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles SalesNo. 7 1993 Reminisce Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles SalesNo. 5