:The Breakthrough

{{Infobox album

| name = The Breakthrough

| type = studio

| artist = Mary J. Blige

| cover = Mary J Blige - The Breakthrough.png

| border = yes

| alt =

| released = {{Start date|2005|12|20}}

| recorded =

| studio =

| genre = R&B

| length = 72:59

| label = Geffen

| producer =

| prev_title = Love & Life

| prev_year = 2003

| next_title = Growing Pains

| next_year = 2007

| misc = {{Singles

| name = The Breakthrough

| type = studio

| single1 = Be Without You

| single1date = November 14, 2005{{cite magazine|title=Going for Adds|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1632|page=25|date=November 11, 2005}}

| single2 = Enough Cryin

| single2date = March 2, 2006

| single3 = One

| single3date = April 3, 2006

| single4 = Take Me as I Am

| single4date = August 17, 2006

}}

The Breakthrough is the seventh studio album by American singer Mary J. Blige. It was released by Geffen Records on December 20, 2005. Initially expected to be released in 2006, it switched release dates with Blige's first greatest hits album Reflections (A Retrospective) (2006) after fruitful collaborations with a host of songwriters and record producers, including 9th Wonder, Rodney Jerkins, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Bryan-Michael Cox, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Raphael Saadiq, Chucky Thompson, Cool & Dre, Ron Fair, and will.i.am, prompted Blige and her label to shift material from Reflections to The Breakthrough.

The album was released to positive reception from music critics, who considered it a return to form for Blige after 2003's Love & Life. Commercially, it opened to her biggest first week sales in the US yet and became her third album to debut at the top of the Billboard 200. The album reached triple Platinum status in the US and sold more than 3.1 million copies. Internationally, it entered the top ten in Switzerland, and the R&B charts in both Australia and United Kingdom. The Breakthrough received numerous accolades, earning Blige her first Grammy Award for Best R&B Album at the 49th awards ceremony.

Four singles were released in support of the album. Lead single "Be Without You" became a top three hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 as well as Blige's highest-charting single since 2001's "Family Affair", while international follow-up "One", a duet with Irish rock band U2 on their 1991 song, enjoyed major commercial success throughout Europe, reaching number one in Austria and Norway as well as the top ten on most other charts. From June to September 2006, Blige promoted The Breakthrough in her The Breakthrough Experience Tour, which visited several cities throughout Canada and the United States.

Release and promotion

Blige embarked on several live performances and appearances to promote the release of The Breakthrough. At the 5th Annual BET Awards (2005), she performed with rapper Game during his performance of "Hate It or Love It" on June 28, 2005.{{Cite web|url=https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/celebrity-news/fugees-reunite-for-bet-awards-930805|title=Fugees reunite for BET Awards|website=Iol.co.za|access-date=December 20, 2024}} In October 2005, she sung a medley of "You're All I Need to Get By" with Method Man, "I'm Goin' Down", "Real Love", and "Can't Hide from Luv" on BET's 25 Strong: The BET Silver Anniversary Special.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/60892/stars-celebrate-bets-25th-in-los-angeles|magazine=Billboard|title=Stars Celebrate BET's 25th in Los Angeles }} In November 2005, Blige was honored with the V Legend Award at the 2005 Vibe Awards.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1513619/mariah-wins-big-mary-j-gets-emotional-at-peaceful-vibe-awards/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216053834/http://www.mtv.com/news/1513619/mariah-wins-big-mary-j-gets-emotional-at-peaceful-vibe-awards/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 16, 2017|title=Mariah Wins Big, Mary J. Gets Emotional At Peaceful Vibe Awards|website=MTV}} On December 21, 2005, the singer was interviewed and performed on The Tyra Banks Show, singing a rendition of "Can't Hide from Luv."{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0735331/ |title = "The Tyra Banks Show" Mary J. Blige (TV Episode 2005)|website = IMDb}} On December 31, 2005, Blige sung a medley of "Family Affair", "Can't Hide from Luv", and "Be Without You" on New Year's Eve with Carson Daly.{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0795435/ |title = New Year's Eve with Carson Daly (TV Special 2005) |website = IMDb}}

On February 8, 2006, Blige performed "One" with U2 at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards.{{cite web |last1=Leopold |first1=Todd |title=U2 is the big Grammy winner |url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/Music/02/08/grammy.awards/index.html |website=www.cnn.com |publisher=CNN |access-date=6 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060216214424/http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/Music/02/08/grammy.awards/index.html |archive-date=February 16, 2006 |language=en-us |date=Feb 9, 2006 |url-status=live}} In April 2006, she performed "Be Without You" and "Enough Cryin" on Saturday Night Live.{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0785646/|title=Antonio Banderas/Mary J. Blige|date=April 8, 2006|access-date=December 20, 2024|website=IMDb.com}} At the 2006 BET Awards, Blige sung a medley of "Be Without You" and "Enough Cryin."{{Cite news|url=https://www.gettyimages.co.nz/detail/news-photo/mary-j-blige-performs-be-without-you-enough-cryin-news-photo/111261952|title=6th Annual BET Awards – Show: Mary J. Blige performs "Be Without You"/"Enough Cryin'"|access-date=March 27, 2024|website=Getty Images}} From July 14, 2006, to September 10, 2006, Blige embarked on The Breakthrough Experience Tour. Letoya Luckett and Jaheim were opening acts during the tour. On December 4, 2006, Blige performed "Enough Cryin" and "Take Me as I Am" at the 2006 Billboard Music Awards, where she won nine awards.{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0926025/ |title = The 2006 Billboard Music Awards (TV Special 2006) |website = IMDb}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/56510/mary-j-blige-wins-big-at-billboard-music-awards|title=Mary J. Blige Wins Big At Billboard Music Awards|magazine=Billboard}} At the 49th Annual Grammy Awards, on February 11, 2007, Blige performed "Be Without You."{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/49th-annual-grammy-awards-nominee-list/|title=49th Annual Grammy Awards Nominee List|access-date=March 27, 2024|language=en|archive-date=March 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313234503/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/49th-annual-grammy-awards-nominee-list/|url-status=live}}

Critical reception

{{Music ratings

| MC = 76/100{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/the-breakthrough|title=The Breakthrough by Mary J. Blige Reviews and Tracks|website=Metacritic|date=December 20, 2005|access-date=April 6, 2018}}

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}

| rev2 = Encyclopedia of Popular Music

| rev2score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite book|last=Larkin|first=Colin|author-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|year=2011|title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music|publisher=Omnibus Press|edition=5th|isbn=978-0857125958|chapter=Mary J. Blige}}

| rev3 = Entertainment Weekly

| rev3score = B+{{cite magazine|last=Browne|first=David|author-link=David Browne (journalist)|date=December 23, 2005|url=https://ew.com/article/2005/12/19/breakthrough/|title=The Breakthrough|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=March 26, 2024}}

| rev4 = The Guardian

| rev4score = {{Rating|3|5}}Sullivan, Caroline (December 9, 2005). "[https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/dec/09/popandrock.shopping6 CD: Mary J Blige, The Breakthrough]". The Guardian. Retrieved on April 16, 2011.

| rev5 = The Independent

| rev5score = {{Rating|4|5}}

| rev6 = Los Angeles Times

| rev6score = {{Rating|3|4}}

| rev7 = NME

| rev7score = 8/10{{cite magazine |last=Fadele |first=Dele |author-link=Dele Fadele |date=January 7, 2006 |title=Mary J Blige – The Breakthrough (Geffen) |magazine=NME |page=29 |url=http://au.zinio.com/reader.jsp?issue=121269916&o=int&prev=si |access-date=April 16, 2011 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304022609/http://au.zinio.com/reader.jsp?issue=121269916&o=int&prev=si |url-status=dead }}

| rev8 = Pitchfork

| rev8score = 8.8/10{{cite web|last=Hope|first=Clover|date=October 1, 2023|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/mary-j-blige-the-breakthrough/|title=Mary J. Blige: The Breakthrough Album Review|website=Pitchfork|access-date=October 1, 2023}}

| rev9 = Rolling Stone

| rev9score = {{Rating|4|5}}

| rev10 = Spin

| rev10score = B−{{cite magazine|magazine=Spin|last=Breihan|first=Tom|page=85|title=CDs|date=February 2006}}

}}

The Breakthrough was met with generally positive reviews. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from professional publications, the album received an average score of 76, based on 20 reviews."[http://www.metacritic.com/music/the-breakthrough The Breakthrough Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic]". Metacritic. Retrieved on April 16, 2011. Andy Gill of The Independent deemed it perhaps "her best, the most vivid realisation of her gripping, confessional style."{{cite web|last=Gill|first=Andy |date=December 9, 2005|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-mary-j-blige--none-onestar-twostar-threestar-fourstar-fivestar-518637.html|title=Album: Mary J Blige, The Breakthrough (Geffen)|website=The Independent|access-date=March 26, 2024}} David Browne believed The Breakthrough marked a return for Blige to her dramatic strengths, writing in Entertainment Weekly that the music's "messy sprawl of conflicted emotions feels true to her fierce, prickly personality (not to mention life itself)." In The New York Times, Jon Pareles credited the singer for bringing together "hip-hop realism and soul's higher aspirations, hip-hop's digitized crispness and soul's slow-building testimonies."{{cite web|last=Pareles|first=Jon|author-link=Jon Pareles|date=December 19, 2005|url=https://ew.com/article/2005/12/19/breakthrough/|title=CRITICS' CHOICE: NEW CD'S; Listen Up, All My Troubled Sistahs|website=The New York Times|access-date=March 26, 2024}} Stylus Magazine{{'}}s Thomas Inskeep viewed it as a "return to form" for Blige, calling it her "finest full-length since '99's Mary,"{{cite web|last=Inskeep|first=Thomas|date=January 17, 2006|url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/review.php?ID=3706|title=Mary J. Blige, The Breakthrough|website=Stylus Magazine|access-date=March 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060216213937/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/review.php?ID=3706|archive-date=February 16, 2006}} while Rolling Stone journalist Barry Walters said that unlike with her previous albums, The Breakthrough{{'}}s ballads genuinely stand out.{{cite magazine|last=Walters|first=Barry|date=January 16, 2006|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/the-breakthrough-107330/|title=The Breakthrough|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=March 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209165327/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/the-breakthrough-107330/|archive-date=December 9, 2018 }}

Prefix critic Norman Mayers found that The Breakthrough "zips confidently through its sixteen tracks. The album's first two-thirds is so well paced that the eleventh track seems to come around before you can catch your breath. The musical palette is a blend of contemporary Kanye West–style productions and classic mid-tempo soul."{{cite web|last=Mayers|first=Norman |date=January 23, 2006|url=http://www.prefixmag.com/reviews/cds/M/Mary-J-Blige/The-Breakthrough/1893|title=Mary J. Blige, The Breakthrough|website=Prefix|access-date=March 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060327064052/http://www.prefixmag.com/reviews/cds/M/Mary-J-Blige/The-Breakthrough/1893|archive-date=March 27, 2006}} Andy Kellman from AllMusic said each song proved Blige had been given her "best round of productions" since the mid 1990s.Kellman, Andy (December 20, 2005). "[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=the-breakthrough-r812098|tab=review|pure_url=yes}} The Breakthrough – Mary J. Blige | AllMusic: Review]". AllMusic. Retrieved on April 16, 2011. Los Angeles Times critic Natalie Nichols credited the producers for "adeptly weaving beats and live instruments, vocals and rapping, melody and rhythm in configurations alternately stark and lush."{{cite web|last=Nichols|first=Natalie |date=December 11, 2005|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-dec-11-ca-rack11.1-story.html |title=For Blige, time to give back|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=March 26, 2024}} Steve Jones of USA Today wrote that "Blige balances her trademark edginess with the personal happiness she has found in recent years" and her producers "give her compelling musical backdrops".{{cite web|last=Jones|first=Steve|date=December 20, 2005|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-dec-11-ca-rack11.1-story.html |title=Another Blige 'Breakthrough'; another Biggie tribute |website=USA Today|access-date=March 26, 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316154602/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/reviews/2005-12-20-listen-up_x.htm|archive-date=March 16, 2021}} A 2023 review from Pitchfork{{'}}s Clover Hope called it "an unofficial marker of a more self-actualized Mary J. Blige" as well as "so self-referential that it almost does function like a greatest-hits record the label wanted".

Jason King was less impressed in The Village Voice, feeling that The Breakthrough had improved on Blige's 2003 album Love & Life but still lacked the creativity of 1999's Mary. Blige's penchant for "hermetic, clinically slick production values doesn't complement her soul-baring aura," King wrote.{{cite web|last=King|first=Jason|date=January 17, 2006|url=https://www.villagevoice.com/the-royal-she/|title=The Royal She |website=The Village Voice|access-date=March 26, 2024}} Spin journalist Tom Breihan felt the production's "awkwardly programmed drums and cluttered synthetic arrangements" generally failed to give her a conducive space for an effective performance and left "the songs' chin-up aphorisms ringing false." Slant Magazine{{'}}s Sal Cinquemani was more critical of the lyrics, finding them distastefully sentimental, unsubtle, and "the epitome of formulaic, giving you the feeling that you've heard this all before."{{cite web|last=Cinquemani|first=Sal|date=December 22, 2005|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/mary-j-blige-the-breakthrough|title=Mary J. Blige: The Breakthrough |website=Slant Magazine|access-date=March 26, 2024}} John Murphy from musicOMH{{'}}s found that like Blige's "previous albums, The Breakthrough is overlong and spoilt by too many producers sticking their oar in. One of these days she'll produce a tight, focused album that's worthy of her wonderful voice – The Breakthrough isn't it, but there's enough good moments to keep her legions of fans more than happy."{{cite web|last=Murphy|first=John|date=December 12, 2005|url=https://www.musicomh.com/albums5/mary-j-blige_1205.htm|title=Mary J. Blige – The Breakthrough (Geffen)|website=musicOMH|access-date=March 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060101095238/https://www.musicomh.com/albums5/mary-j-blige_1205.htm|archive-date=January 1, 2006}} In his lukewarm review for Vibe, Dimitri Ehrlich noted that "even cameos by today’s hottest rappers can’t shake Blige's nostalgic flair."{{cite web|last=Murphy|first=John|url=https://www.musicomh.com/albums5/mary-j-blige_1205.htm|title=Mary J. Blige – The Breakthrough (Geffen)|website=Vibe|date=February 13, 2006|access-date=March 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060513081649/http://www.vibe.com/music/revolutions/2006/02/mary_j_blige_the_breakthrough_geffen/|archive-date=May 13, 2006}}

Accolades

{{For|the complete list of awards won by Blige, her albums and singles|List of awards and nominations received by Mary J. Blige}}

The Breakthrough and its singles earned Blige numerous awards and nominations. She received eight nominations at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards, the most of any artist for that ceremony. "Be Without You" was nominated for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year categories;{{cite web|last=Cohen|first=Sandy|date=December 7, 2006|url=http://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/breakthrough-for-blige-8-grammy-nominations/|title="Breakthrough" for Blige: 8 Grammy nominations|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=October 2, 2016}} it won for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song, while The Breakthrough won in the category of Best R&B Album.{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/artist/mary-j-blige|title=Mary J. Blige|work=Grammy.com|access-date=October 2, 2016}} Blige was recognized as Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist and won in the Favorite Soul/R&B Album category, among the three awards she was nominated for at the American Music Awards of 2006.{{cite book| title = Jet| date = November 20, 2006| publisher = Johnson Publishing Company| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=hzoDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA66| access-date = June 22, 2018|page= 66}} Blige won nine prizes at the 2006 Billboard Music Awards, including Top R&B Album, Top R&B Artist, R&B/Hip-Hop Album Artist of the Year and Female R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year.{{cite magazine|first=Katie|last=Hasty|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/56510/mary-j-blige-wins-big-at-billboard-music-awards|title=Mary J. Blige Wins Big At Billboard Music Awards|magazine=Billboard|date=December 4, 2006|access-date=March 27, 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0926025/ |title = The 2006 Billboard Music Awards (TV Special 2006) |website = IMDb|access-date=March 27, 2024}} At the BET Awards 2006 she won two awards, including Best Female R&B/Pop Artist and Video of the Year. Blige also won Outstanding Female Artist at the 38th NAACP Image Awards.{{cite web|title=THE 38th NAACP IMAGE AWARDS TAKES PLACE WITH SUPERSTAR ENTERTAINER LL COOL J AS HOST |url=http://www.naacpimageawards.net/PDFs/38th_NAACP_Image_Awards_Winners_Release.pdf |website=National Association for the Advancement of Colored People |access-date=March 27, 2024|date= March 15, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100519202201/http://www.naacpimageawards.net/PDFs/38th_NAACP_Image_Awards_Winners_Release.pdf |archive-date=May 19, 2010 |url-status=dead }}

=Year-end lists=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" \|+Year-end lists for The Breakthrough ! Publication ! Accolade ! Rank ! class="unsortable"\|{{abbr\|Ref.\|Reference}}
scope="row"\| Associated Press \| The 10 Best Albums of 2006 \| style="text-align:center;"\| 2 \| {{center\|{{cite web \|first= Mary-Jayne \|last=McKay\|title=The 10 Best Albums Of 2006\|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-10-best-albums-of-2006/ \|agency=Associated Press\|via=CBS News \|date=December 18, 2006\|access-date=March 26, 2024}}}}
scope="row"\| The Village Voice \| Pazz & Jop \| style="text-align:center;"\| 122 \| {{center\|{{cite web\|title=Pazz Jop 2005 Lists\|url=https://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/villagevoice2005.htm\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060622055234/http://rocklistmusic.co.uk/villagevoice2005.htm\|url-status=usurped\|archive-date=June 22, 2006\|work=Village Voice\|access-date=March 27, 2024}}}}

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

|+Year-end lists for The Breakthrough

! Publication

! Accolade

! Rank

! class="unsortable"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

scope="row"| Associated Press

| The 10 Best Albums of 2006

| style="text-align:center;"| 2

| {{center|{{cite web |first= Mary-Jayne |last=McKay|title=The 10 Best Albums Of 2006|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-10-best-albums-of-2006/ |agency=Associated Press|via=CBS News |date=December 18, 2006|access-date=March 26, 2024}}}}

scope="row"| The Village Voice

| Pazz & Jop

| style="text-align:center;"| 122

| {{center|{{cite web|title=Pazz Jop 2005 Lists|url=https://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/villagevoice2005.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060622055234/http://rocklistmusic.co.uk/villagevoice2005.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 22, 2006|work=Village Voice|access-date=March 27, 2024}}}}

Commercial performance

File:Mary J. Blige 2.jpg

The Breakthrough debuted at number one on both the US Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the week of January 7, 2006. Blige's third album to do so, it sold 727,000 copies in its first week of release,{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/bliges-breakthrough-bows-at-no-1-60255/|title=Blige's 'Breakthrough' Bows At No. 1|access-date=March 27, 2024 |date=December 28, 2005 |magazine=Billboard}} becoming the biggest first-week sales for a female R&B solo artist in SoundScan history,{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1047254/keys-storms-chart-with-mega-selling-as-i-am |title=Keys Storms Chart With Mega-Selling 'As I Am' |access-date=August 9, 2008 |last=Cohen |first=Jonathan |date=November 21, 2007 |magazine=Billboard}} the fifth largest first-week sales for a female artist, and the fourth largest debut of 2005. The biggest-selling R&B album of the year, Billboard ranked it first on its 2006 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums year-end chart. It was also ranked fifth on the magazine's Billboard 200 year-end chart of 2006. The Breakthrough was certified Gold and Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on the January 24, 2006. It eventually reached double Platinum on March 10, 2006 and triple Platinum status on April 10, 2007. By December 2009, the album had sold 3,100,000 copies in the United States.{{cite magazine |last=Mitchell |first=Gail |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hUd1o0aCe10C&pg=PT18 |title=Strength of Character |magazine=Billboard |volume=121 |issue=49 |date=December 12, 2009 |page=19 |issn=0006-2510 |via=Google Books}}{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CJByA6pDRKX/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CJByA6pDRKX |archive-date=December 24, 2021 |url-access=limited|title=Mary J. Blige certification}}{{cbignore}}

In the United Kingdom, The Breakthrough debuted at number 48 on the UK Albums Chart and number six on the UK R&B Albums chart in the week of December 24, 2005. It eventually peaked at number 22 in April 2006. On February 3, 2006, the album earned a Gold certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for shipments in excess of 100,000 units. Elsewhere, The Breakthrough reached number one on the Australian Urban Albums chart and the top ten on the Swiss Albums Chart. It reached Gold status in Australia, Germany, and Japan and was certified Platinum by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) in Switzerland.

Track listing

{{Track listing

| headline = The Breakthrough – {{nobold|Standard edition}}

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = No One Will Do

| writer1 = {{hlist|Erik Ortiz|Kevin Crowe|Clifford L. Brown III|Dave Young|Bunny Sigler}}

| extra1 = {{hlist|J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League|Mary J. Blige{{ref|a|[a]}}|Young{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length1 = 4:46

| title2 = Enough Cryin

| note2 = featuring Brook Lynn

| writer2 = {{hlist|Blige|Rodney Jerkins|Sean Garrett|Shawn Carter}}

| extra2 = {{hlist|Jerkins|Garrett{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length2 = 4:20

| title3 = About You

| note3 = featuring will.i.am & Nina Simone

| writer3 = {{hlist|Blige|will.i.am|Keith Harris|Anthony Newley|Leslie Bricusse}}

| extra3 = will.i.am

| length3 = 4:04

| title4 = Be Without You

| writer4 = {{hlist|Blige|Bryan-Michael Cox|Jason Perry|Johntá Austin}}

| extra4 = {{hlist|Cox|Blige{{ref|a|[a]}}|Ron Fair{{ref|a|[a]}}|Young Smoke{{ref|b|[b]}}}}

| length4 = 4:06

| title5 = Gonna Breakthrough

| note5 = featuring Brook Lynn

| writer5 = {{hlist|Blige|Diana Gordon|Dernst Emile|Quarun Wages|Harry Palmer}}

| extra5 = {{hlist|D'Mile|Blige{{ref|a|[a]}}|Fair{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length5 = 4:00

| title6 = Good Woman Down

| writer6 = {{hlist|Blige|Garrett|Patrick Douthit|Robert Aries|Freddie Jackson|Meli'sa Morgan}}

| extra6 = {{hlist|9th Wonder|Garrett{{ref|a|[a]}}|Fair{{ref|c|[c]}}}}

| length6 = 4:07

| title7 = Take Me as I Am

| writer7 = {{hlist|Jordan Suecof|Ezekiel Lewis|Candice Nelson|Keri Hilson|Thabiso Nkhereanye|Lonnie Liston Smith}}

| extra7 = {{hlist|Infinity|Fair|Blige{{ref|a|[a]}}|Fair{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length7 = 3:57

| title8 = Baggage

| writer8 = {{hlist|Blige|James Harris III|Terry Lewis|Bobby Ross Avila|Issiah J. Avila|James Q. Wright|Young}}

| extra8 = {{hlist|Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis|B.R. Avila{{ref|d|[d]}}|Issiah "Iz" Avila{{ref|d|[d]}}|Blige{{ref|a|[a]}}|Young{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length8 = 3:35

| title9 = Can't Hide from Luv

| note9 = featuring Jay-Z

| writer9 = {{hlist|Blige|Andre Harris|Vidal Davis|Ryan Toby}}

| extra9 = {{hlist|A. Harris|Davis}}

| length9 = 3:52

| title10 = MJB da MVP

| writer10 = {{hlist|Curtis Jackson|Jayceon Taylor|Andre Lyon|Marcello Valenzano|Norman Harris|Ron Baker|Allan Felder|James Johnson|Patrice Rushen|Karen Evans|Roy Ayers}}

| extra10 = {{hlist|Blige|Cool & Dre|Patrick Dillett{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length10 = 4:00

| title11 = Can't Get Enough

| writer11 = {{hlist|Blige|J. Harris III|Lewis|B.R. Avila|I.J. Avila}}

| extra11 = {{hlist|Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis|James "Big Jim" Wright{{ref|d|[d]}}|B. R. Avila{{ref|d|[d]}}|I. Avila{{ref|d|[d]}}}}

| length11 = 3:40

| title12 = Ain't Really Love

| writer12 = {{hlist|Blige|Cox|Austin|Candice Childress}}

| extra12 = {{hlist|Cox|Blige{{ref|a|[a]}}|Austin{{ref|a|[a]}}|Fair{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length12 = 4:40

| title13 = I Found My Everything

| note13 = featuring Raphael Saadiq

| writer13 = {{hlist|Blige|Saadiq|Kelvin Wooten|Robert Ozuna}}

| extra13 = {{hlist|Saadiq|Jake and the Phatman{{ref|d|[d]}}|Troy Taylor{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length13 = 5:23

| title14 = Father in You

| writer14 = {{hlist|Blige|A. Harris|Davis|Toby}}

| extra14 = {{hlist|A. Harris|Davis}}

| length14 = 5:23

| title15 = Alone

| note15 = featuring Dave Young

| writer15 = {{hlist|Davel "Bo" McKenzie|Young}}

| extra15 = {{hlist|McKenzie|Blige{{ref|a|[a]}}|Young{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length15 = 4:29

| title16 = One

| note16 = with U2

| writer16 = {{hlist|Bono|Adam Clayton|The Edge|Larry Mullen Jr.}}

| extra16 = {{hlist|Fair|Tal Herzberg{{ref|d|[d]}}}}

| length16 = 4:20

| total_length = 68:11

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = The Breakthrough – {{nobold|LP edition (hidden track)}}{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/1827869-Mary-J-Blige-The-Breakthrough|title=Mary J. Blige - The Breakthrough (U.S. 2xLP Edition)|website=Discogs.com|access-date=March 6, 2022}}

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title17 = Show Love

| writer17 = {{hlist|Blige|Garrett|Chucky Thompson}}

| extra17 = Thompson

| length17 = 3:40

| total_length = 71:51

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = The Breakthrough – {{nobold|International edition (bonus track)}}{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/1977795-Mary-J-Blige-The-Breakthrough|title=Mary J. Blige - The Breakthrough (Europe CD)|website=Discogs.com|access-date=March 6, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/14669780-Mary-J-Blige-The-Breakthrough|title=Mary J. Blige - The Breakthrough (Australia CD)|website=Discogs.com|access-date=March 6, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/8133976-Mary-J-Blige-The-Breakthrough|title=Mary J. Blige - The Breakthrough (South Africa CD)|website=Discogs.com|access-date=March 6, 2022}}

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title17 = So Lady

| note17 = featuring Raphael Saadiq

| writer17 = {{hlist|Blige|Saadiq|Teedra Moses}}

| extra17 = {{hlist|Saadiq|Jake and the Phatman{{ref|d|[d]}}}}

| length17 = 4:16

| total_length = 72:27

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = The Breakthrough – {{nobold|British and digital deluxe edition (bonus track)}}{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/663104-Mary-J-Blige-The-Breakthrough|title=Mary J. Blige - The Breakthrough (UK CD)|website=Discogs.com|access-date=March 6, 2022}}{{cite web | url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-breakthrough-deluxe/1440827760 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628100731/https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-breakthrough-deluxe/1440827760 | archive-date=June 28, 2023 | title=The Breakthrough (Deluxe) by Mary J. Blige on Apple Music }}

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title18 = Show Love

| writer18 = {{hlist|Blige|Garrett|Thompson}}

| extra18 = Thompson

| length18 = 3:40

| total_length = 76:07

}}

{{track listing

| headline = The Breakthrough – {{nobold|Japanese edition (bonus track)}}{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/2447165-Mary-J-Blige-The-Breakthrough|title=Mary J. Blige - The Breakthrough (Japan CD)|date=January 13, 2006 |website=Discogs.com|access-date=March 6, 2022}}

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title19 = Out My Head

| writer19 = {{hlist|Young|Harrison}}

| extra19 = Rich Harrison

| length19 = 3:41

| total_length = 79:48

}}

=Notes=

{{sup|{{note|a|[a]}}}} signifies a vocal producer
{{sup|{{note|b|[b]}}}} signifies an additional producer
{{sup|{{note|c|[c]}}}} signifies an additional vocal producer
{{sup|{{note|d|[d]}}}} signifies a co-producer

=Sample credits=

"No One Will Do" contains excerpts from "I Swear I Love No One but You", written by Bunny Sigler and performed by the O'Jays.
"About You" contains samples from "Feeling Good", written by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse and performed by Nina Simone.
"Gonna Breakthrough" contains samples from "The Champ", written by Harry Palmer and performed by the Mohawks.
"Good Woman Down" contains excerpts from "Heart Breaking Decision", written by Robert Aries, Freddie Jackson and Meli'sa Morgan and performed by Morgan.
"Take Me as I Am" contains samples from "A Garden of Peace", written and performed by Lonnie Liston Smith.
"Can't Hide from Luv" contains excerpts and a sample of "I Wanna Be Where You Are", written by Arthur Ross and Leon Ware and performed by Michael Jackson.
"MJB da MVP" contains excerpts from "Rubberband", written by Ron Baker, Allen Felder and Norman Harris and performed by the Tramps. It also contains resung lyrics from "All Night Long", written by James Johnson, "Remind Me", written by Patrice Rushen and Karen Evans, and "Everybody Loves the Sunshine", written by Roy Ayers.

Personnel

Credits for The Breakthrough adapted from AllMusic.[http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-breakthrough-r812098/credits The Breakthrough - Mary J. Blige | AllMusic: Credits]. Allmusic. Retrieved on April 16, 2011.

50 Cent – vocals
Chalmers Alford – guitar
Johnta Austin – vocal producer
Bobby Ross Avila – guitar, keyboards, producer, strings
Issiah "IZ" Avila – bass guitar, drums, percussion, producer
Robert Bacon – guitar
Charlie Bisharat – string instrument
Mary J. Blige – producer, vocal arrangement, vocal producer, vocals
Bono – guitar, vocals
Jacqueline Brand – violin
Craig Brockman – piano
Charles "Biscuits" Brungardt – vocal producer
Roberto Cani – violin
Lily Chen – violin
Danny Cheung "Stems" – engineer
Candice Childress – production coordination
Adam Clayton – bass guitar
Larry Corbett – cello
Bryan-Michael Cox – instrumentation, producer, string arrangements
Vidal Davis – instrumentation, producer
Loren Dawson – piano
Mario Diaz de Leon – violin
Brian Dembow – viola
Joel Deroin – string instrument
Patrick Dillett – engineer, vocal producer
Reginald Dozier – engineer
Andrew Duckles – viola
Bruce Dukov – violin
The Edge – guitar
Michael Eleopoulos – assistant engineer, engineer
Stephen Erdody – cello
Anthony "Devyne" Evans – engineer
Anthony Lavon Evans – engineer
Ron Fair – conductor, guitar, harmonica, keyboards, orchestra bells, organ, piano, producer, string arrangements, vocal arrangement, vocal producer
Jan Fairchild – engineer
AMarlow Fisher – viola
Drew FitzGerald – art direction
Paul Foley – engineer
Samuel Formicola – viola
Matt Funes – string instrument
Sean Garrett – vocal producer
Endre Genet – string instrument
Julie Gigante – violin
Carl Glanville – original recordings
Larry Gold – string arrangements
John Goux – acoustic and electric guitar
Endre Granat – violin
Bernie Grundman – mastering
Alan Grunfeld – string instrument
Rexsell Hardy, Jr. – drums
Andre Harris – instrumentation, producer
Keith Harris – keyboards, organ, piano, synthesizer bass
Clayton Haslop – violin
Tal Herzberg – digital editing, engineer, producer
Keri Hilson – vocal arrangement
Paula Hochhalter – cello, strings
Infinity – producer
Kendu Isaacs – mixing
Jun Ishizeki – assistant engineer
Jake & the Phatman – producer
Jimmy Jam – producer
Jaycen Joshua – assistant engineer, engineer, mixing
Rodney Jerkins – mixing, producer
Justice League – producer
Suzie Katayama – cello
Bernard Kenny – bass guitar
Kimberly Kimble – hair stylist
Markus Klinko & Indrani – photography
Armen Ksadjikian – cello
Songa Lee – violin
Natalie Leggett – violin
Phillipe Levy – violin
Terry Lewis – producer
Andrea Liberman – stylist
David Low – string instrument
David Lowery – string instrument
Rene Mandel – violin
Matt Marrin – engineer
Tony Maserati – mixing
Harvey Mason, Sr. – glockenspiel, timpani
Darrin McCann – viola
Davel "Bo" McKenzie – producer
Cornelius Mims – bass
Vicki Miskolczy – viola
Peter Mokran – mixing
Wesley Morrow – production coordination
Larry Mullen, Jr. – drums, percussion
Dean Nelson – assistant, mixing
9th Wonder – producer
Robin Olson – violin
Robert Ozuna – drums, percussion, scratching
Sid Page – violin
Alyssa Park – violin
Dave Pensado – mixing
Katia Popov – violin
Jack Joseph Puig – mixing
Frank Romano – guitar
Mark Robertson – violin
Mally Roncal – make-up
Anatoly Rosinsky – violin
Raphael Saadiq – bass guitar, guitar, producer
Allen Sides – engineer
The South Central Chamber Orchestra – strings
South Central Orchestra – strings
Tereza Stanislav – string instrument
Supa Engineer "Dura" – mixing
John Tanksley – assistant engineer, engineer
Troy Taylor – vocal producer
Cecilia Tsan – cello
Charles Vail – strings
Josephina Vergara – violin
will.i.am – engineer, keyboards
Kelvin Wooten – keyboards
Benjamin Wright – string arrangements, string conductor, string writing
James "Big Jim" Wright – keyboards, producer
Dave Young – performer
Dave Young Orchestra – vocal producer

Charts

=Weekly charts=

scope="col"\| Chart (2006) ! scope="col"\| Peak position
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" \|+ Weekly chart performance for The Breakthrough
{{album chart\|Australia\|19\|artist=Mary J Blige\|album=The Breakthrough\|rowheader=true\|access-date=August 10, 2016}}
scope="row"\| Australian Urban Albums (ARIA){{cite magazine \|url=http://www.aria.com.au/issue846.pdf \|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20060519140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20060520-0000/issue846.pdf \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=May 19, 2006 \|title=ARIA Urban Album Chart – Week Commencing 22nd May 2006 \|magazine=The ARIA Report \|issue=846 \|date=May 22, 2006 \|page=16 \|access-date=August 10, 2016}}{{cbignore\|bot=medic}} \| 1
{{album chart\|Austria\|42\|artist=Mary J Blige\|album=The Breakthrough\|rowheader=true\|access-date=August 10, 2016}}
{{album chart\|Flanders\|66\|artist=Mary J Blige\|album=The Breakthrough\|rowheader=true\|access-date=August 10, 2016}}
scope="row"\| Canadian Albums (Billboard){{cite web \|url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Charts/ALBUMS.html \|title=Albums : Top 100 \|website=Jam! \|date=February 12, 2006 \|access-date=August 10, 2016 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://archive.today/20060303085146/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Charts/ALBUMS.html \|archive-date=March 3, 2006}} \| 13
{{album chart\|Denmark\|20\|artist=Mary J Blige\|album=The Breakthrough\|rowheader=true\|access-date=February 8, 2012}}
{{album chart\|Netherlands\|12\|artist=Mary J Blige\|album=The Breakthrough\|rowheader=true\|access-date=August 10, 2016}}
{{album chart\|France\|25\|artist=Mary J Blige\|album=The Breakthrough\|rowheader=true\|access-date=August 10, 2016}}
{{album chart\|Germany4\|28\|id=25223\|artist=Mary J Blige\|album=The Breakthrough\|rowheader=true\|access-date=August 10, 2016}}
{{album chart\|Ireland\|55\|year=2006\|week=26\|rowheader=true\|access-date=August 10, 2016}}
{{album chart\|Italy\|12\|artist=Mary J Blige\|album=The Breakthrough\|rowheader=true\|access-date=August 10, 2016}}
scope="row"\| Japanese Albums (Oricon){{cite web \|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/168109/products/632794/1/ \|script-title=ja:ザ・ブレイクスルー {{!}} メアリー・J.ブライジ \|trans-title=The Breakthrough {{!}} Mary J. Blige \|language=ja \|publisher=Oricon \|access-date=August 10, 2016\|url-status=live\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203234148/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/168109/products/632794/1/\|archive-date=February 3, 2023}} \| 18
{{album chart\|Norway\|18\|artist=Mary J Blige\|album=The Breakthrough\|rowheader=true\|access-date=August 10, 2016}}
{{album chart\|Scotland\|28\|date=20060423\|rowheader=true\|access-date=August 10, 2016}}
{{album chart\|Spain\|74\|artist=Mary J Blige\|album=The Breakthrough\|rowheader=true\|access-date=August 10, 2016}}
{{album chart\|Sweden\|13\|artist=Mary J Blige\|album=The Breakthrough\|rowheader=true\|access-date=August 10, 2016}}
{{album chart\|Switzerland\|7\|artist=Mary J Blige\|album=The Breakthrough\|rowheader=true\|access-date=August 10, 2016\|refname="Switzerland"}}
scope="row"\|Taiwanese Albums (Five Music){{cite web \|url=https://www.5music.com.tw/billboard.asp\|title=Taiwan 1/2006 \|language=Chinese \|publisher=Five-Music \|access-date=August 2, 2024 }} \| style="text-align:center;"\| 16
{{album chart\|UK2\|22\|date=20060423\|rowheader=true\|access-date=April 29, 2021\|refname="UK2"}}
{{album chart\|UKR&B\|4\|date=20060115\|rowheader=true\|access-date=August 10, 2016\|refname="UKR&B"}}
{{album chart\|Billboard200\|1\|artist=Mary J. Blige\|rowheader=true\|access-date=August 10, 2016\|refname="Billboard200"}}
{{album chart\|BillboardRandBHipHop\|1\|artist=Mary J. Blige\|rowheader=true\|access-date=August 10, 2016}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" \|+ 2006 year-end chart performance for The Breakthrough
scope="col"\| Chart (2006) ! scope="col"\| Position
scope="row"\| Australian Urban Albums (ARIA){{cite web \|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/UrbanAlbums2006.htm \|title=ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 50 Urban Albums 2006 \|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association \|access-date=August 10, 2016 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401154939/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/UrbanAlbums2006.htm \|archive-date=April 1, 2016}} \| 15
scope="row"\| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100){{cite web \|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2006&cat=a \|title=Jaaroverzichten – Album 2006 \|language=nl \|publisher=Dutch Charts \|access-date=August 10, 2016}} \| 40
scope="row"\| French Albums (SNEP){{cite web \|url=https://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-lannee/top-albums-annee/?annee=2006 \|title=Tops de L'Année {{!}} Top Albums – 2006 \|publisher=Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique \|language=fr \|access-date=October 6, 2020}} \| 154
scope="row"\| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100){{cite web \|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-2006 \|title=Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts – 2006 \|language=de \|publisher=Offizielle Deutsche Charts \|access-date=August 10, 2016}} \| 83
scope="row"\| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan){{cite web \|url=http://www.sverigetopplistan.se/netdata/ghl002.mbr/lista?liid=83&dfom=20060001 \|title=Årslista Album – År 2006 \|language=sv \|publisher=Sverigetopplistan \|access-date=August 10, 2016 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924123312/http://www.sverigetopplistan.se/netdata/ghl002.mbr/lista?liid=83&dfom=20060001 \|archive-date=September 24, 2015}} \| 32
scope="row"\| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade){{cite web \|url=https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/2006/alben \|title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2006 \|website=hitparade.ch \|language=de \|access-date=April 29, 2021}} \| 21
scope="row"\| UK Albums (OCC){{cite web \|url=http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2006.pdf \|title=The Official UK Albums Chart: 2006 \|work=UKChartsPlus \|page=5 \|access-date=August 10, 2016}} \| 107
scope="row"\| US Billboard 200{{cite magazine \|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2006/top-billboard-200-albums \|title=Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2006 \|magazine=Billboard \|access-date=August 10, 2016}} \| 5
scope="row"\| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard){{cite magazine \|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2006/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums \|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2006 \|magazine=Billboard \|access-date=April 29, 2021}} \| 1

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+ 2006 year-end chart performance for The Breakthrough

scope="col"| Chart (2006)

! scope="col"| Position

scope="row"| Australian Urban Albums (ARIA){{cite web |url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/UrbanAlbums2006.htm |title=ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 50 Urban Albums 2006 |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association |access-date=August 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401154939/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/UrbanAlbums2006.htm |archive-date=April 1, 2016}}

| 15

scope="row"| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100){{cite web |url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2006&cat=a |title=Jaaroverzichten – Album 2006 |language=nl |publisher=Dutch Charts |access-date=August 10, 2016}}

| 40

scope="row"| French Albums (SNEP){{cite web |url=https://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-lannee/top-albums-annee/?annee=2006 |title=Tops de L'Année {{!}} Top Albums – 2006 |publisher=Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique |language=fr |access-date=October 6, 2020}}

| 154

scope="row"| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100){{cite web |url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-2006 |title=Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts – 2006 |language=de |publisher=Offizielle Deutsche Charts |access-date=August 10, 2016}}

| 83

scope="row"| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan){{cite web |url=http://www.sverigetopplistan.se/netdata/ghl002.mbr/lista?liid=83&dfom=20060001 |title=Årslista Album – År 2006 |language=sv |publisher=Sverigetopplistan |access-date=August 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924123312/http://www.sverigetopplistan.se/netdata/ghl002.mbr/lista?liid=83&dfom=20060001 |archive-date=September 24, 2015}}

| 32

scope="row"| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade){{cite web |url=https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/2006/alben |title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2006 |website=hitparade.ch |language=de |access-date=April 29, 2021}}

| 21

scope="row"| UK Albums (OCC){{cite web |url=http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2006.pdf |title=The Official UK Albums Chart: 2006 |work=UKChartsPlus |page=5 |access-date=August 10, 2016}}

| 107

scope="row"| US Billboard 200{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2006/top-billboard-200-albums |title=Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2006 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=August 10, 2016}}

| 5

scope="row"| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard){{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2006/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums |title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2006 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=April 29, 2021}}

| 1

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" \|+ 2007 year-end chart performance for The Breakthrough
scope="col"\| Chart (2007) ! scope="col"\| Position
scope="row"\| Australian Urban Albums (ARIA){{cite web \|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-urban-albums-2007.htm \|title=ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 50 Urban Albums 2007 \|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association \|access-date=August 10, 2016 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923185329/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-urban-albums-2007.htm \|archive-date=September 23, 2015}} \| 46
scope="row"\| US Billboard 200{{cite magazine \|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2007/top-billboard-200-albums \|title=Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2007 \|magazine=Billboard \|access-date=August 10, 2016}} \| 181
scope="row"\| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard){{cite magazine \|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2007/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums \|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2007 \|magazine=Billboard \|access-date=April 29, 2021}} \| 63

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+ 2007 year-end chart performance for The Breakthrough

scope="col"| Chart (2007)

! scope="col"| Position

scope="row"| Australian Urban Albums (ARIA){{cite web |url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-urban-albums-2007.htm |title=ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 50 Urban Albums 2007 |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association |access-date=August 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923185329/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-urban-albums-2007.htm |archive-date=September 23, 2015}}

| 46

scope="row"| US Billboard 200{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2007/top-billboard-200-albums |title=Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2007 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=August 10, 2016}}

| 181

scope="row"| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard){{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2007/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums |title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2007 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=April 29, 2021}}

| 63

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for The Breakthrough}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|artist=Mary J. Blige|title=The Breakthrough|award=Gold|type=album|certyear=2006|access-date=August 10, 2016}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|artist=Mary J. Blige|title=The Breakthrough|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2006|certyear=2023|access-date=March 30, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|artist=Mary J. Blige|title=The Breakthrough|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2006|certyear=2006|certmonth=03|certref={{cite web |url=http://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/gold/200603.html |script-title=ja:ゴールド等認定作品認定 2006年3月 |language=ja |publisher=Recording Industry Association of Japan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090328032918/http://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/gold/200603.html |archive-date=March 28, 2009 |access-date=November 11, 2010}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|artist=Mary J. Blige|title=The Breakthrough|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2005|access-date=August 10, 2016|refname="IFPI CH"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Mary J Blige|title=The Breakthrough|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2005|certyear=2006|id=6805-369-2|date=February 3, 2006|access-date=April 29, 2021|refname="BPI"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Mary J. Blige|title=The Breakthrough|award=Platinum|number=3|type=album|relyear=2005|date=April 10, 2007|access-date=August 10, 2016|refname="RIAA"}}