112 (band)

112 (pronounced "one-twelve") is a Grammy Award-winning American R&B quartet from Atlanta, Georgia. Formerly artists on Sean "P. Diddy" Combs' Bad Boy Records, the group signed to the Def Soul roster in early 2002. They had great success in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Biography

Early career

The group members met while attending high school. The group was originally called Forte and the original members were Daron Jones, Michael Keith, and Reginald Finley of the Infidel Guy. The trio added Marvin Scandrick because of his high pitched voice and Aldon Lagon because of his bass voice. After Marvin's mother threatened to pull him out of the group they brought in fellow schoolmate Quinnes Parker but Marvin ended up staying in the group. The group was now a sextet but they voted Aldon Lagon out of the group because he could not keep up with the group's harmonies. Reginald Finley didn't think the group would become a success so he left after high school for the military. Reginald shortly returned while on leave from the military. After performing a a talent show with the group in 1994 he had to go back to the military and left the group again. They performed talent shows at church and school and eventually gained the attention of Courtney Sills and Kevin Wales, the group's would-be managers. After being brought to the attention of Sean "Puffy" Combs, the group was quickly signed. The group with Quinnes, Daron, Marvin, and Mike sang outside of Club 112 in Atlanta for producer Sean "Puffy" Combs and he was impressed and quickly signed them to his label Bad Boy Records. He changed the group's name to 112 after Club 112 at which they performed for him.

Their self-titled debut album, released in 1996, performed well, eventually going double-platinum. It featured the hit singles "Only You" and "Cupid," both of which peaked at #13 on the Hot 100 as well as reaching #3 and #2 on the R&B charts respectively.

In 1998 the group released their second double platinum album, Room 112. The album's biggest hits were "Love Me," reaching #8 on the R&B charts, and "Anywhere", which reached #5.

Success

Their third album, Part III, was released in 2001. Featuring two of their biggest singles to date, "Peaches & Cream" and "It's Over Now," the album went triple-platinum. "Peaches & Cream" managed to reach #4 on the Hot 100 and #2 on the R&B charts while "It's Over Now" was the group's only #1 hit on the R&B charts.

New Label

In 2003, the group left Bad Boy Records, releasing their fourth album Hot & Wet on Def Soul. The album didn't carry the same success as earlier efforts and failed to make any noticeable impressions on the charts.

Pleasure & Pain, the group's fifth album, was released in 2005 and saw more success. The album eventually reached platinum status and featured the popular single "U Already Know." The album is their first to come with a parental advisory sticker, reportedly caused by a rap from Three 6 Mafia.

Recent events

Recent reports have announced that Daron Jones is no longer a member of the group and is embarking on a solo career. The remaining members have also formed their own label One Twelve Music Group. 112 continues to do shows world-wide as well as in the States. While touring, Slim, Q and Mike seem to be embarking on their own solo projects also anticipated to come out in 2007. Slim is featured with Three 6 Mafia on 8Ball & MJG's 2nd single "Cruzin'" on the new album "Ridin High", and there have also recently been rumours that he has signed a solo record deal.

Members

• Quinnes "Q" Parker
• Michael "Mike" Keith
• Marvin "Slim" Scandrick

Former Members

• Daron Jones

Discography

Main article: 112 discography

Albums

Year	Album	U.S.	UK	RIAA cert.
1996	112	37	-	2x Platinum
1998	Room 112	20	-	2x Platinum
2001	Part III	2	-	3x Platinum
2003	Hot & Wet	22	-	-
2005	Pleasure & Pain	4	-	Platinum

Grammy Award History

• 1997: Best Rap Performance by A Duo Or Group: "I'll Be Missing You" (Puff Daddy, Faith Evans, and 112)
• 2001: Best R&B Group or Duo Nominated: "Peaches & Cream"

Trivia

• The group takes its name from the famed hip hop club in Atlanta, Club 112.

• 112 have toured with Keith Sweat, New Edition, The Isley Brothers, Monica, Nas, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Whitney Houston, and Janet Jackson.

• 112 made a guest appearance in a two-part episode of the tv show Moesha playing Q's cousins, a singing group. They performed "Only You" to an audience of Kim and Neicy, who had missed a concert.

• Reginald Finley (Wifeswap, The Infidel Guy) was a member of 112 in their previous incarnation, Forte.

• 112 is a rarity in R&B groups: all members tend to have shared parts or equal amounts of lead parts.

External links

• Biography & booking information
• Article on Hot & Wet album
• The original group (Forte')