No More Drama

No More Drama
Studio album by Mary J. Blige
Released	August 28, 2001
Recorded	2000-2001
Genre	R&B , Hip hop soul , Soul
Length	1:11:50
Label	MCA Records
Producer	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:|200px|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 Reception 3 Track listing 3.1 2001 release 3.2 2002 repackaging 4 Singles 5 References and notes

Genesis of the album

The inspiration for No More Drama came largely from Blige's confusion and hectic life. As she attested to in various media interviews and at her live shows, she suffered through depression and 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. Stylistically, the album diverged from Blige'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. 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]

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. The album was well-received by the public, 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, although Blige lost to newcomer Alicia Keys in both categories. In the hopes of maximizing profits, MCA Records re-released No More Drama with four new tracks: "Rainy Dayz" featuring rapper Ja Rule; a remix of "No More Drama" featuring P.Diddy and R&B singer Mario Winans; a remix of "Dance for Me" with rapper Common; and the record "He Think I Don't Know," for which she won the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

Track listing

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. "Never Been"
14. "2U"
15. "In The Meantime"
16. "Forever No More [Poem]"
17. "Testimony"
18. "Checkin' For Me" (Bonus Track on UK version.)

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]" (featuring P. Diddy)
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)

Singles

• "Family Affair" (2001) — R&B: #1, US: #1, UK: #8, GER: #12
• "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

References and notes

•  • e Mary J. Blige
Studio albums	What's the 411? (1992) • My Life (1994) • Share My World (1997) • Mary (1999) No More Drama (2001) • Love & Life (2003) • The Breakthrough (2005) • Growing Pains (2007)
Other albums	The Tour (1998) • Ballads (2001) • Mary J. Blige & Friends (2006) • Reflections - A Retrospective (2006)
Related articles	Discography • Awards • Videography