The Breakthrough is the seventh studio album by American R&B recording artist Mary J. Blige, released December 20, 2005, on Geffen Records. The album opened with over 729,000 units in the United States, becoming her highest first week sales of her career, and the second-highest first-week sales by a female R&B artist, only behind Alicia Keys' As I Am. The album is certified three-time Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America and has sold over seven million copies worldwide. Upon its release, The Breakthrough received positive reviews from most music critics.