The album was released to mostly positive reception from music critics, who applauded Monicas's vocal performances and cited the album a solid addition to her catalogue. Criticism mainly targeted the trendchasing character of snap-influenced lead single "Everytime tha Beat Drop", as well as the album's occasionally unremarkable production. "The Makings of Me" debuted at number eight on the US "Billboard" 200 and became her first album to top "Billboard"s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, with first week sales of 93,000 copies. A moderate commercial success in general, it became her lowest-selling full-length effort up to that point.