Definition of a Band is the third studio album by the R&B band Mint Condition. It was released on September 24, 1996, on Perspective Records. Definition of a Band was Mint Condition's most successful recording to date, yielding two hit singles and a Gold certification from the RIAA.[3]
Before the release of the album, the band were faced with label troubles. Their mentors and label heads Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis severed ties with Perspective Records.[4] As a result, Mint Condition were moved to its parent company A&M Records, though the company kept the Perspective name for the release of Definition of a Band. This would be their final studio album released under Perspective Records. Another album released under the label was their greatest hits anthology The Collection (1991-1998)- an album that contained their hits alongside 12 inch versions, B-sides and remixes. They would move to Elektra Entertainment for their next album Life's Aquarium.
The album charted at number 76 on the Billboard 200 and number 13 on the R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart.
Two singles were released from Definition of a Band. The first single, "What Kind of Man Would I Be", charted at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and 2 on R&B/Hip-Hop Singles and Tracks. It sold 600,000 copies domestically and was certified gold by the RIAA.[5][6] Its video was directed by art director Frank Kozik.[7] The second single, "You Don't Have To Hurt No More", charted at number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 and 10 on R&B/Hip-Hop Singles and Tracks. Its video was directed by Devo frontman Gerald Casale.[8] This album is their third studio album to be mastered by Brian Gardner- who also worked on their previous album, 1993's From the Mint Factory as well as their 1991 debut Meant to Be Mint.[9]
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