112

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112

Formed: 1995, Atlanta, Georgia

Members: Michael Keith (born Atlanta, Georgia, 18 December 1978); Daron Jones (born Atlanta, Georgia, 27 December 1977); Quinnes "Q" Parker (born Atlanta, Georgia, 24 March 1977); Marvin "Slim" Scandrick (born Atlanta, Georgia, 25 September 1979).

Genre: R&B

Best-selling album since 1990: Part III (2001)

Hit songs since 1990: "Only You," "Love Me," "It's Over Now"

The group 112 was one of the most successful acts to emerge on the Bad Boy label run by R&B impresario Sean "Puffy" Combs during the 1990s. 112 began as a smooth harmony outfit inspired largely by 1990s R&B group Boyz II Men. On early releases all four members display strong vocal skills, using rich, full harmonies to imbue love ballads with a sense of urgency. By the time of their third album in 2001, however, the group had largely jettisoned their gentle ballad approach for a tougher sound in keeping with the harder-edged current in modern R&B. Although publicized conflicts with Combs and Bad Boy hindered 112's career during the early 2000s, the group managed to retain its popularity, patching up differences with the label by the beginning of 2003.

112 was formed by four high school classmates in their hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, and they began by performing at church functions. During the early 1990s they earned the notice of the management team Courtney Sills and Kevin Wales, which introduced the group to Combs. Christening the teenaged singers 112 (after a popular nightclub in Atlanta), Combs spearheaded production on the group's self-titled debut album in 1996. Although the bulk of 112 consists of sweet-sounding ballads such as "Cupid" and "I Will Be There," the album's biggest hit, "Only You," is a seductive dance track, driven by a thumping bass and the members' creamy harmonies. While the album's material lacks the distinction of Boyz II Men's finest work, it is enhanced by 112's vocal professionalism, polished through years of singing in church choirs. In 1998 the group returned with Room 112, an album that structurally mirrored its predecessor: lush, pleading ballads interspersed with the occasional dance track. Although it boasted substantial hits in "Love Me" and "Anywhere," critics expressed disappointment in the group's unchallenging adherence to formula.

112 changed directions for Part III (2001), an album cited by many critics as the group's finest. Sporting a flashier, more funk-oriented sound than previous efforts, Part III features production by the group member Daron Jones. On groove-based songs such as "Dance with Me" and "Peaches and Cream," the group incorporates the type of techno-electronic sound favored in the early 2000s by the hit R&B producer Rodney Jerkins. "It's Over Now" ranks as one of the group's strongest singles, its aching and dramatic mood propelled by assertive harmonies and a haunting arrangement of strings, guitar, and jittery rhythm.

Unfortunately, the group's success was soon hampered by legal battles. In February 2002 the four members signed a new recording deal with Def Jam Records, claiming that their contract with Bad Boy had expired. Combs immediately filed an injunction, insisting that the group was still signed to Bad Boy. During the publicity that ensued, 112's members accused Combs of holding them to the terms of an onerous 1996 contract. Finally, in early 2003, the case was settled, with Bad Boy and Def Jam agreeing to handle 112 jointly, splitting profits on the group's future releases. At the same time, 112 announced plans to record its fourth album.

Finding success in the 1990s singing Boyz II Men–influenced love ballads, 112 had evolved by the early 2000s into a forward-thinking R&B group determined to establish trends rather than follow them.