The songs on The Breakthrough are evidence of Mary's journey from her childhood in the projects of Yonkers, New York, to her early successes plagues with drama, to her current breakthrough. The album includes a duet with U2's Bono, a collaboration with rapper the Game, and participation of top producers such as Black Eyed Peas'Will I. Am, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Rodney Jerkins and Raphael Saadiq.