Turning 20 this weekend is No More Drama, the fifth studio album from R&B icon Mary J. Blige. While Blige was no stranger to fans of R&B and some in the pop realm this album certainly saw her obtain some mainstream success she hadn't previously experienced. Such as her first #1 single on the US Billboard Hot 100 and first #1 worldwide hit overall. It's not that Mary did anything different with her music, it more so speaks to the explosion that Hip-Hop and R&B experienced in the early 2000s into becoming mainstream pop.
No More Drama received two Grammy nominations for Best R&B Album and Best Female R7B Vocal Performance at the 44th Grammy Awards. The album peaked at #31 in New Zealand and all three of it's singles hit the Top 40.
"Family Affair" was the first single and maintains as a early 2000s party jam. It remains Bliges' biggest charting song here in New Zealand peaking at #2 on the RMNZ Top 40.
The inspiration for the album largely came from Bliges' own confused and hectic life. She talked in interviews at the time about living a life of alcohol, drug abuse and abusive relationships. No More Drama was an attempt to break free from the vicious circle she was experiencing.
This was no more evident than in the albums title track which served as the second single. Produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis "No More Drama" certainly captured the essence of the album and saw Blige proclaiming she was tired of it all. On the RMNZ Top 40 it peaked at #38.
"Rainy Dayz" was the third and final single from No More Drama. It was not on the original release of the album. It was included on a re-release which was dropped in 2002. Ja Rule is featured on the track with Blige. He had written the song in response to the September 11th attacks that occurred in New York City.
In an interview with MTVs TRL he said, "It's basically about how we feel going through life." Ja Rule originally wrote the song with TLC in mind for their fourth studio album 3D but the group turned it down. You can hear some of the references he included to their previous songs in the lyrics.
"Rainy Dayz" peaked at #29 on the RMNZ Top 40. No More Drama was received positively by most critics who felt Blige tapping into the roots of her music successfully.
Get into No More Drama for it's 25th anniversary.
