This Is Me... Then

This Is Me... Then
Studio album by
Jennifer Lopez
ReleasedNovember 25, 2002 (2002-11-25)
Recorded2001–2002
Genre
Length47:15
LabelEpic
Producer
Jennifer Lopez chronology
J to tha L–O! The Remixes
(2002) 		This Is Me... Then
(2002) 		The Reel Me
(2003)
Singles from This Is Me... Then
  1. "Jenny from the Block"
    Released: September 26, 2002
  2. "All I Have"
    Released: December 14, 2002
  3. "I'm Glad"
    Released: April 8, 2003
  4. "Baby I Love U!"
    Released: August 4, 2003

This Is Me... Then is the third studio album by American singer Jennifer Lopez. It was released on November 25, 2002, by Epic Records. Prior to its release, Lopez began a high-profile relationship with Ben Affleck and a media circus ensued. Her relationship with Affleck served as her main inspiration for the album, which is dedicated to him. Initially scheduled to be released the following year, This Is Me... Then's release date was quickly pushed forward after its lead single, "Jenny from the Block", was purposely leaked by Tommy Mottola, the head of Sony Music Entertainment.

For the album's recording, Lopez once again recruited Cory Rooney, Troy Oliver and Dan Shea, all of whom she had worked with on her previous albums. She decided to shift away from a dance-pop to more of an R&B and soul sound, influenced by the soul music she grew up listening to. The record's throwback material was integrated with mainstream hip hop and pop music. During its production, Lopez was influenced by the works of Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross and Stevie Wonder among others.

This Is Me... Then received mixed reviews from music critics. Some praised its musical direction, deeming it her strongest album to date, whilst others criticized its production and Lopez's vocal performance. The album went on to achieve commercial success, reaching number two in the United States where it has sold 2.6 million copies. It also reached the top ten in countries such as Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland, selling over 6 million copies worldwide.[3]

The album's lead single, "Jenny from the Block" featuring Styles P and Jadakiss of The Lox, became an international success, peaking at three in the United States. However, its release was followed by the notoriety of its music video, which featured Affleck. The single has since been used as a nickname for Lopez in the media, known as one of her signature songs. The album's second single "All I Have" featuring rapper LL Cool J also achieved commercial success, becoming her fourth number-one single in the United States. "I'm Glad", the third single, performed moderately. The single's music video was met with critical acclaim, but caused controversy for recreating scenes from the 1983 film Flashdance. Sony and Lopez were sued over this, but the lawsuit was dismissed. This Is Me... Then spawned a fourth single entitled "Baby I Love U!"

On November 25, 2022, which was the album's 20th anniversary, Lopez announced that she would be releasing a sequel album in 2024 titled This Is Me... Now.[4][5]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Billboard Reviews was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference wwtotal was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Lazarus Caplan, Anna (November 25, 2022). "Jennifer Lopez Announces 'This Is Me... Now' 20 Years After Ben Affleck-Inspired Album 'This Is Me... Then'". People. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  5. ^ Gajewski, Ryan (2022-11-25). "Jennifer Lopez Returns to Social Media to Announce New Album 'This Is Me … Now'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2022-11-26.