What's The 411 - Mary J. Blige > Reviews > This is the 411

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
Value for Money

Advantages:	Mary J's voice and Puffys producing skills
Disadvantages:	none

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Mary J Blige hit the scene in 1992 with her debut album What’s the 411? A hip-hop album with an R’n’B twist. For me the album is one of her best, it shows her versatility and her unique rusky voice. Her first single Real Love is a true classic with fantastic remixes, which are still played in the clubs. The album when you realise the year is way ahead of it’s time.

No one knew the now “Hip Hop Soul Diva” would woo the audience as much as she has.

1) Leave a message (INTRO)
A spoken intro where Busta Rhymes (then unknown) leaves a message on Mary’s answer phone!! Simple as that!! When he is speaking a beat enters and Busta raps in his individual way.

10 out of 10

2) Reminisce
A release from the album a slower type song with a hip-hop beat and raw vocals. It has great background vocals and a really catchy chorus. The song was co-produced by Sean “P-Diddy” then “Puffy” Coombs and lyrics were also by him. I like this song, but to really like it you have to listen to it a few times.

9 out of 10

3) Real Love
My favourite song, a really great dance and hip hop song. The beat is very catchy and even though it is from the 90’s it sounds very modern. The video is great and we get to see Mary dancing what she doesn’t do much now!!! This was a massive hit in the U.S and it deserved to be.

10 out of 10

4) You Remind Me
Another release from the album, and again it was a massive hit stateside. Mary really shows off her vocals on this track. The background layered vocals fit in very well with Marys raspy voice.

10 out of 10

5) Intro Talk
A spoken intro by Busta.

6) Sweet Thing
This song reminds me of a classic Aretha song with a more modern beat. Mary shows off not only her strong voice, but her smooth soft voice also. It was not a release from the album, but I am sure would have been as it is a pleasant universal song, and may appealed to a wider audience.

10 out of 10

7) Love No Limit
This song is not one of the stronger songs on the album, but nevertheless is a great song. The style of Mary’s music in this era is very different to what it is now, the album what the 411 has classic slow blues/r’n’b songs and this is one of them. Mary incoperates her strong urban vocals into a smooth song.

9 out of 10

8) I Don’t Want To Do Anything
A duet with Kci from Kci and JoJo and also Jodeci. This song was a hit in the U.K and U.S. It is another one of my favourites from the album and I listen to it a lot. Mary and Kci have very similar voices and combine very well on the slow, R’n’B song. It was produced by Devante Swing from Jodeci.

10 out of 10

9) Slow Down
Not one of my fave tracks. It isn’t one of the strong album tracks but when you listen to it several times you begin to really like it. It was produced by Puffy then…..now P Diddy!!!

8 out of 10

10) Changes I’ve Been Going Through
The remix of this song was a massive hit and was one of the releases from the What’s The 411? Remix album. I really like this song as again Mary really has much feeling in her voice in this song.

11) What’s the 411?
A good song to finish on – The title track. Again the remix of this song was a hit.
It was produced Puff Daddy.

10 out of 10

~ ~ The Booklet ~ ~
Includes pictures of Mary, but she looks very different to what she does now as her clothes style has changed. The only thing, which is similar, is the hats she wears. It also includes track listing and info, and Mary’s thanks.

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Other Mary Tracks I really like but not on the album Whats the 411?

Not Gon Cry ~ From the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack and also on Share My World her 3rd album.

Everything ~ From Share My World

I’m Goin Down ~ From My Life (2nd album)

All that I can Say ~ From Mary (4th Album)

I have all Mary’s album including her 411-remix album. She deserves a lot more praise over here than she receives. Her voice is similar to Aretha Franklin; she has also been compared to her. Have a listen to some of her tracks, as you wont be disappointed.

I am sure Mary will still be around in another 10 years.

Live on the Queen of Hip Hop Soul!!

Thanks for reading.