112 (band)

112 (band)
Name	112
Background	group_or_band
Origin	Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Genres	R&B, soul, hip hop, quiet storm
Years active	1993–present
Labels	Bad Boy, Def Soul, Shanachie
Associated acts	Sean Combs, The Notorious B.I.G., Faith Evans, Jay-Z, P. Diddy

112 (band) is an American R&B quartet formed in Atlanta, Georgia in the early 1990s. The group rose to prominence through collaborations with producers and artists associated with Bad Boy Records, becoming known for smooth vocal harmonies, romantic ballads, and crossover hits on both R&B and pop charts. Over multiple albums and label changes, they maintained commercial success and influence within contemporary R&B, working with prominent figures from New York City to Los Angeles and touring internationally.

History

The quartet came together in Atlanta as teenagers, initially performing in local talent shows and club dates around Georgia State University and venues in Buckhead. Early lineups coalesced into the core members who would sign with Bad Boy Records after catching the attention of Andre Harrell-linked executives and A&R representatives during regional showcases. Their self-titled debut album featured production and endorsements from Sean Combs and vocal contributions aligned with recordings associated with The Notorious B.I.G. and Faith Evans, which helped the album chart on the Billboard 200 and establish a presence on Billboard Hot 100 singles charts.

Following mainstream exposure, the group released subsequent albums under Def Soul and later independent imprints, navigating the post-1990s industry shifts that affected many acts from the New Jack Swing and contemporary R&B eras. They collaborated with hip hop artists such as Jay-Z, Eve, and producers tied to the Hit Factory and Patchwerk Recording Studios, broadening their audience through mixtapes, soundtrack placements, and international tours across Europe, Japan, and Australia. Personnel changes and side projects prompted temporary hiatuses, but reunion tours and anniversary performances sustained their legacy into the 2010s and 2020s, with later releases appearing on independent labels like Shanachie Records.

Musical style and influences

Their sound blends elements drawn from established R&B traditions and contemporaneous hip hop production. Vocal arrangements reflect influences traceable to groups and artists such as Boyz II Men, Teddy Pendergrass, Marvin Gaye, and vocal harmony practices found in ensembles connected to Motown Records and the Philadelphia soul scene. Production choices show the imprint of producers and executives associated with Bad Boy Records and the broader East Coast hip hop aesthetic, incorporating programmed drums, sampled breaks from catalogs tied to James Brown and Isaac Hayes, and the lush keyboard textures reminiscent of sessions at The Hit Factory.

Songwriting and performance often reference the tradition of romantic slow jams popularized by artists associated with Quiet Storm radio formats and compilations produced by labels like Def Jam and LaFace Records. Collaborations with hip hop artists and remixers positioned some singles for crossover play on urban contemporary stations affiliated with Clear Channel Communications and networks that syndicated The Steve Harvey Morning Show style programming. The group’s ability to alternate between up-tempo tracks suitable for clubs—played alongside DJs from venues such as The Roxy—and intimate ballads contributed to their chart durability.

Members

- Michael Keith — lead and background vocals; participated in songwriting and served as a principal public spokesperson during promotional cycles tied to Bad Boy Records and later independent tours. - Marvin “Slim” Scandrick — tenor lead and background vocals; known for falsetto passages on signature ballads and collaborations at events connected to Essence Festival lineups. - Daron Jones — bass/baritone vocals and songwriter; credited with arranging vocal harmonies and working in studio sessions linked to producers from Atlanta and New York City. - Qwanell “Q” Mosley — vocals; contributed to live choreography and stage production on tours with acts affiliated with Bad Boy Records and other R&B ensembles.

Past contributors and touring personnel have included background vocalists, keyboardists, and percussionists who worked with regional studios and touring companies connected to Live Nation-managed events.

Discography

Studio albums: - self-titled debut (1996) — released on Bad Boy Records; featured singles that charted on Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts. - follow-up releases through the late 1990s and early 2000s on Bad Boy Records and Def Soul — included charting singles and collaborations with artists tied to Roc-A-Fella Records and Bad Boy Entertainment. - later albums on independent labels, including releases under Shanachie Records, with singles promoted through urban adult contemporary radio and international distributors in Japan and United Kingdom.

Compilation and notable singles: - Multiple greatest-hits compilations and soundtrack inclusions for films associated with studios such as Paramount Pictures and Universal Pictures. - High-profile singles and remixes featuring artists from Bad Boy and guest verses by artists affiliated with Ruff Ryders and Def Jam contemporaries.

Awards and nominations

The group received nominations and awards from industry institutions and ceremonies recognizing R&B and crossover pop success, including nominations at the Soul Train Music Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and chart-based accolades from Billboard. Their singles earned gold and platinum certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America for sales and shipments during the late 1990s and early 2000s, and they were acknowledged in year-end listings by publications such as Vibe (magazine) and Rolling Stone's annual summaries of R&B releases.

Category:African-American musical groups Category:American contemporary R&B musical groups Category:Musical groups from Atlanta