[2][3][4] The group is credited with being one of the last major funk bands to chart before hip-hop and new jack swing dominated black music in the 1990s.

[2] They were discovered by music producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis in 1989 during a performance at First Avenue in downtown Minneapolis and signed Mint Condition to Perspective Records soon afterward.

Afterward, they attempted to attract new jack swing listeners with their dance cut "Are You Free", hitting #55 on the R&B charts.

They enjoyed success with the single "U Send Me Swingin'" which peaked at #2 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart for four weeks straight in the spring of 1994.

After Perspective Records/A&M folded, the group signed with Elektra Records in 1999 and released their fourth full-length album, Life's Aquarium, which also debuted in the Top 10 (#7 R&B).

In December 2010, Mint Condition joined Prince and an ensemble cast of R&B and jazz musicians for his Welcome 2 America tour.

On April 5, 2011, with the group's 20th anniversary approaching, Mint Condition celebrated with the release of their seventh studio album, titled 7....

It was produced by Shanachie Records and contained several hits, including "Caught My Eye" as well as "Not My Daddy", a collaboration with Kelly Price.

Mint Condition appeared as the house band for TV One's program Way Black When, which celebrated the greatest African American music artists throughout the '70s, 80's, and '90s.