Studio Album · No. 7
The Breakthrough Songwriting Credits by Mary J. Blige
Produced by Bryan-Michael Cox, Rodney Jerkins, will.i.am, 9th Wonder, Ron Fair
Geffen
R&BHip-Hop SoulContemporary R&B
69%
Authorship
Holds writing credit on 11 of 16 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 11 / 16 documented
Who wrote the songs?
Scored across the 16 tracks with documented writers, by whether Mary J. Blige carries a lyricist or composer credit.
11 trackswritten by Mary J. Blige
5 tracksoutside writers
Mary J. Blige's roles on this album
Share of the 16 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
Lyricist69%
Composer69%
Producer44%
Performer100%
By the Numbers
16
Tracks
58
Lyricists
25
Producers
3 million
US Copies Sold
2005
Released
Awards & Recognition 3
Grammy Award for Best R&B Album (2007)
Grammy Award for Best R&B Song (2007, 'Be Without You')
Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance (2007, 'Be Without You')
Data Insight
The Breakthrough keeps Blige as a steady co-writer across a wide production roster: she co-wrote most songs with the likes of Bryan-Michael Cox, Sean Garrett, and Rodney Jerkins, whose names share the credits. The U2 collaboration 'One' is written entirely by U2, the clearest outside song, and the album's samples and interpolations again place veteran soul and funk writers in the composer column.
The Breakthrough is the seventh studio album by Mary J. Blige, released in December 2005 and the biggest commercial success of her career. Built around the smash 'Be Without You,' which spent a record stretch atop the R&B chart, the album paired her with a deep roster of producers including Bryan-Michael Cox, Rodney Jerkins, will.i.am, and 9th Wonder. Blige co-wrote most of the songs, blending contemporary production with classic soul and a duet with U2 on 'One.' The record debuted at number one, sold over three million copies in the United States, and won three Grammy Awards. It marked a creative and commercial peak that reestablished her at the top of R&B.
Track Listing & Credits 16 tracks
Written by the artist
Written by outside writers
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
No One Will Do
|
Erik OrtizKevin CroweClifford L. Brown IIIDave YoungBunny Sigler | Erik OrtizKevin CroweClifford L. Brown IIIDave YoungWalter Sigler | J.U.S.T.I.C.E. LeagueMary J. BligeDave Young | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 2 |
Enough Cryin
#38
|
Mary J. BligeRodney JerkinsSean GarrettJay-Z | Mary Jane BligeRodney Roy JerkinsGarrett HamlerShawn Corey Carter | Rodney JerkinsSean Garrett | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals)Brook Lynn (Featured Artist) |
| 3 |
About You
|
Mary J. Bligewill.i.amKeith HarrisAnthony NewleyLeslie Bricusse | Mary Jane BligeWilliam James Adams Jr.Keith HarrisAnthony NewleyLeslie Bricusse | will.i.am | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals)will.i.am (Featured Artist)Nina Simone (Sampled Vocals) |
| 4 |
Be Without You
#3
|
Mary J. BligeBryan-Michael CoxJason PerryJohntá Austin | Mary Jane BligeBryan-Michael CoxJason PerryJohntá Austin | Bryan-Michael CoxMary J. BligeRon Fair | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 5 |
Gonna Breakthrough
|
Mary J. BligeDiana GordonDernst EmileQuarun WagesHarry Palmer | Mary Jane BligeDiana GordonDernst Emile IIQuarun WagesHarry Palmer | D'MileMary J. BligeRon Fair | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals)Brook Lynn (Featured Artist) |
| 6 |
Good Woman Down
|
Mary J. BligeSean Garrett9th WonderRobert AriesFreddie JacksonMeli'sa Morgan | Mary Jane BligeGarrett HamlerPatrick Denard DouthitRobert AriesFrederick Anthony JacksonMeli'sa Morgan | 9th WonderSean GarrettRon Fair | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 7 |
Take Me as I Am
|
Jordan SuecofEzekiel LewisCandice NelsonKeri HilsonThabiso NkhereanyeLonnie Liston Smith | Jordan SuecofEzekiel LewisCandice NelsonKeri Lynn HilsonThabiso NkhereanyeLonnie Liston Smith | InfinityMary J. BligeRon Fair | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 8 |
Baggage
|
Mary J. BligeJimmy JamTerry LewisBobby Ross AvilaIssiah J. AvilaJames Q. WrightDave Young | Mary Jane BligeJames Samuel Harris IIITerry Steven LewisBobby Ross AvilaIssiah J. AvilaJames Q. WrightDave Young | Jimmy Jam & Terry LewisBobby Ross AvilaIssiah J. Avila | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 9 |
Can't Hide from Luv
|
Mary J. BligeAndre HarrisVidal DavisRyan Toby | Mary Jane BligeAndre HarrisVidal DavisRyan Toby | Andre HarrisVidal Davis | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals)Jay-Z (Featured Artist) |
| 10 |
MJB da MVP
|
50 CentThe GameAndre LyonMarcello ValenzanoNorman HarrisRon BakerAllan FelderRick JamesPatrice RushenKaren EvansRoy Ayers | Curtis James Jackson IIIJayceon Terrell TaylorAndre LyonMarcello ValenzanoNorman HarrisRonald BakerAllan FelderJames Ambrose Johnson Jr.Patrice Louise RushenKaren EvansRoy Edward Ayers Jr. | Mary J. BligeCool & DrePatrick Dillett | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 11 |
Can't Get Enough
|
Mary J. BligeJimmy JamTerry LewisBobby Ross AvilaIssiah J. Avila | Mary Jane BligeJames Samuel Harris IIITerry Steven LewisBobby Ross AvilaIssiah J. Avila | Jimmy Jam & Terry LewisJames WrightBobby Ross AvilaIssiah J. Avila | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 12 |
Ain't Really Love
|
Mary J. BligeBryan-Michael CoxJohntá AustinCandice Childress | Mary Jane BligeBryan-Michael CoxJohntá AustinCandice Childress | Bryan-Michael CoxMary J. BligeJohntá AustinRon Fair | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 13 |
I Found My Everything
|
Mary J. BligeRaphael SaadiqKelvin WootenRobert Ozuna | Mary Jane BligeCharlie Ray WigginsKelvin WootenRobert Ozuna | Raphael SaadiqJake and the PhatmanTroy Taylor | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals)Raphael Saadiq (Featured Artist) |
| 14 |
Father in You
|
Mary J. BligeAndre HarrisVidal DavisRyan Toby | Mary Jane BligeAndre HarrisVidal DavisRyan Toby | Andre HarrisVidal Davis | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 15 |
Alone
|
Davel McKenzieDave Young | Davel McKenzieDave Young | Davel McKenzieMary J. BligeDave Young | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals)Dave Young (Featured Artist) |
| 16 |
One
|
BonoAdam ClaytonThe EdgeLarry Mullen Jr. | Paul David HewsonAdam Charles ClaytonDavid Howell EvansLarry Mullen Jr. | Ron FairTal Herzberg | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals)U2 (Featured Artist) |
Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 94 contributors
MJ
Mary J. Blige
Writer · Producer · Vocals
MJ
Mary Jane Blige
Writer
DY
Dave Young
Writer · Producer · Featured Artist
AH
Andre Harris
Writer · Producer
BR
Bobby Ross Avila
Writer · Producer
BC
Bryan-Michael Cox
Writer · Producer
IJ
Issiah J. Avila
Writer · Producer
SG
Sean Garrett
Writer · Producer
VD
Vidal Davis
Writer · Producer
JA
Johntá Austin
Writer · Producer
GH
Garrett Hamler
Writer
JS
James Samuel Harris III
Writer
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Frequently Asked Questions The Breakthrough
Who wrote The Breakthrough?
Mary J. Blige co-wrote most of the album with producers like Bryan-Michael Cox, Sean Garrett, and Rodney Jerkins. The closer 'One' was written by U2.
What is the big hit from The Breakthrough?
'Be Without You' was the smash single, topping the R&B chart for a record run and reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100.
Did The Breakthrough win Grammys?
Yes. It won three, including Best R&B Album, with 'Be Without You' winning Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.
Who produced The Breakthrough?
Producers include Bryan-Michael Cox, Rodney Jerkins, will.i.am, 9th Wonder, and Ron Fair.
Who guests on the album?
How well did The Breakthrough sell?
It debuted at number one and is certified triple platinum, the best-selling album of her career.