No More Drama

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No More Drama
Studio album by Mary J. Blige
Released	August 2001
Recorded	2000-2001
Genre	R&B
Length	???
Label	MCA Records
Producer(s)	Mary J. Blige, Rockwilder, Dr. Dre, The Neptunes, Gerald Issac, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Missy Elliott, Rich Harrison, Irv Gotti, Swizz Beatz, Chucky Thompson, Kiyamma Griffin, Ron Lawrence
Professional reviews
All Music Guide link Rolling Stone link
Mary J. Blige chronology
Mary (1999)	No More Drama (2001)	Love & Life (2003)
Alternate covers
[[Image:|2002 Re Release|200px]]
2002 Re Release

No More Drama is R&B artist Mary J. Blige's critically acclaimed fifth album. The album was released on August 28, 2001 in America. The album is certified 2X Platinum.

Contents 1 Genesis of the album 2 Album highlights 3 Reception 4 Track listing 4.1 2001 release 4.2 2002 repackaging 5 Singles 6 References and notes

[edit] Genesis of the album

The inspiration for No More Drama came largely from Blige's confusion and hectic life. As she attested to various media interviews and at her live shows, she suffered through depression and even paranoia in the years leading to the release of No More Drama. The title itself is a statement of catharsis and acceptance; Blige will "accept no more drama." It was also around this time that she finally quit alcohol. Many believed that the death of Aaliyah made Mary J. Blige reflect upon herself, and change her ways.

Stylistically, the album verged from Mary's typically blues-soaked R&B into the hip-hop beats and influences that had made her debut, What's the 411?, a hit. This is especially evident in the first single, the bouncy club anthem "Family Affair." Rapper Eve appears on the track "Where I've Been" as well, and urban influences can be heard throughout the album.

[edit] Album highlights

The most obvious album highlights are the first two singles from the album. On "Family Affair," Blige's smooth vocals float over a simple, yet infectious back-beat. The song was released in the late summer of 2001, and became an instant hit. "No More Drama" is the antithesis of "Family Affair," and is a stripped down, honest declaration of desperation and the depression it causes. Its constant piano track builds throughout the song to an intense finish as Blige cries out for help saying, “Lord help me say/NO/MORE/DRAMA!”

"Forever No More" is a poem spoken by Blige in the same vein as "No More Drama." She speaks frankly of women's issues on "PMS" and reflects on her life in the airy "Where I've Been" and the inspiring "Testimony." In "Steal Away" and "Flying Away" are daydreams set to hip-hop beats.

The first single was supposed to be a song called "Rock Steady" featuring a rap from Jay-Z and Lenny Kravitz on guitar. The song was leaked to mixtapes months before the album was scheduled to be released and subsequently did not make the final cut on the album. ^[1]

[edit] Reception

No More Drama was released to relative positive reviews. Though many reviewers claimed it was a daring accomplishment, many disliked the prevailing light-hearted urban feel of some of the tracks. In short, many reviewers were hoping for another My Life or Mary, and got something between those emotional records and What's the 411?. The album was well-received by the public however, debuting at #2 on the Billboard album chart, and staying in the top hundred of that chart for several months off the strength of "Family Affair," which peaked at #1 for six weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the early fall of 2001.

While the second single No More Drama climbed the charts, Mary earned two Grammy nominations.Family Affair was nominated for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and ] the album No More Drama was nominated for Best R&B Album. Though Blige lost to newcomer Alicia Keys in both categories, she stole the show with her emotionally charged performance of "No More Drama."

In the hopes of maximizing profits, MCA Records re-released No More Drama with three new tracks: "Rainy Dayz" featuring rapper Ja Rule; a remix of "No More Drama" featuring P.Diddy and R&B up-and-comer Mario Winans; and the soulful record "He Think I Don't Know" for which she won the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

The re-release brought the album renewed interest, thanks to the success of "No More Drama" and "Rainy Dayz," but was panned by reviewers as a vain act of greed^{[citation needed]}.

[edit] Track listing

[edit] 2001 release

1. "Love"
2. "Family Affair"
3. "Steal Away" (featuring Pharrell Williams)
4. "Crazy Games"
5. "PMS"
6. "No More Drama"
7. "Keep It Moving"
8. "Destiny"
9. "Where I've Been" (featuring Eve)
10. "Beautiful Day"
11. "Dance For Me"
12. "Flying Away"
13. "2U"
14. "In The Meantime"
15. "Forever No More [Poem]"
16. "Testimony"
17. "Checkin' For Me" (Bonus Track on UK version.)

[edit] 2002 repackaging

1. "Love"
2. "Family Affair"
3. "Steal Away" (featuring Pharrell Williams)
4. "He Think I Don't Know"
5. "PMS"
6. "No More Drama"
7. "Rainy Dayz" (featuring Ja Rule)
8. "Where I've Been" (featuring Eve)
9. "Beautiful Day"
10. "Dance For Me" [Remix featuring Common]
11. "No More Drama [P. Diddy/Mario Winans Remix]"
12. "Flying Away"
13. "Never Been"
14. "2U"
15. "In The Meantime"
16. "Forever No More [Poem]"
17. "Testimony"
18. "Girl From Yesterday" (UK bonus track)

[edit] Singles

• "Family Affair" (2001) — R&B: #1, US: #1, UK: #8
• "Dance for Me" ^[2] (2002) — UK: #13
• "No More Drama" (2002) — R&B: #16, US: #15, UK: #9
• "Rainy Dayz" (2002) — R&B: #8, US: #12, UK: #17
• "He Think I Don't Know" ^[3] (2002) — Dance: #15

[edit] References and notes