Get ready to take a trip down memory lane with me this Throwback Thursday! I’m paying homage to one of my all-time favorite albums: Mary J. Blige’s legendary 1992 release, “What’s the 411?” This album is often credited with giving Mary the title of the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul and is considered by many to be a pioneer in the genre. The combination of R&B and hip-hop influences on this record was a game-changer and cemented Mary’s place in music history.
With its smooth and soulful sound, “What’s the 411?” is more than just an album, it’s an experience. From the first track to the last, each song tells a story and showcases Mary’s powerful vocals. The album features hit singles such as “Real Love” and “Sweet Thing,” which are still played on the radio today and hold up as timeless classics. The short and sweet 12-song tracklist makes this album the perfect pick-me-up for those days when you need a little bit of 90s R&B in your life.
Not only was “What’s the 411?” a commercial success, but it also received critical acclaim, receiving nominations for several awards and solidifying Mary’s status as a musical force to be reckoned with. In the years since its release, the album has been recognized as a classic and continues to be a fan favorite. It’s no wonder why Mary J. Blige is still referred to as the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul today.
My favorite songs include “Real Love” and “You Remind Me”. The upbeat almost 80s sounding style in “Real Love” in my opinion gives off a summer song vibe that just makes you wanna get up and start dancing. If you’re into upbeat early 90s bops this is definitely your track. “You Remind Me” is one of my all time favorite throwback songs. The intro is incredibly long, with very little music playing in the background while Mary just sings a few lines showing off her amazing vocal range. Mary manages to mix the beats from 90s rap and the rhythm and soul from 90s R&B to create a whole new category that we all know and love: Hip-Hop/Soul. Mary J. Blige is definitely a Queen I will be writing about more than once.
She uses her crazy vocal range and unique sound to really show the emotion behind her lyrics. It’s hard to still find artists nowadays who really display their vocal abilities. I find many artists go for the songs with heavy bass drops and would rather “sing rap” than belch their vocals. However, there’s definitely still some post-R&B divas out there who are not afraid to wear their heart on their sleeves, put their emotions in their words and show us what they can do vocally. I don’t always like to compare artists, usually I do it when determining artists styles or genres, however, I haven’t listened to a single artist who compares to Mary. So, if you want to spend your time in the shower trying to hit those Blige notes or need a new short little album to paint to this album is perfect for you.
