The Breakthrough is the seventh studio album by American R&B singer Mary J Blige. It was released on December 20, 2005, by Geffen Records. Blige recorded the album with a host of songwriters and record producers, including 9th Wonder, Rodney Jerkins, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Bryan-Michael Cox, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Raphael Saadig, Chuck Thompson, Cool & Dre, Ron Fair and will.i.am.
The Breakthrough received positive reviews from most critics and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. It was certified three-time platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America ( RIAA ), and has sold 3,100,000 copies in the United States.