112 life and biography

112 (pronounced "one-twelve") is an American R&B quartet. Formerly artists on Diddy's Bad Boy Records, the group signed to the Def Soul roster in 2002. They had great success in the late 1990s and early 2000s with hits such as "Only You", "Anywhere" and "Peaches & Cream". The group most notably won a Grammy in 1997 for Best Rap Performance by A Duo Or Group, for featuring in the song "I'll Be Missing You" with Puff Daddy and Faith Evans .

When four Atlanta, Georgia, high school students accepted an assignment to perform as a quartet at a school function in the 1990s, the event set the stage for their career as one of the major recording groups of the modern R&B era. The boy band, called 112, comprises Daron Jones, Mike Keith, Quinnes "Q" Parker, and Marvin "Slim" Scandrick. The foursome was the first to emerge as a major attraction on the startup Bad Boy Records in 1996, and by achieving multi-platinum record sales and winning an MTV video award and a Grammy, the group 112 brought crossover legitimacy to the label, which was largely the bastion of gangsta rappers.

An everyday group of school chums, Daron, Mike, Slim, and Q hailed from Walter F. George High School, and a family-like atmosphere has permeated the group from the beginning. Originally known as Forte, the group members first became acquainted in middle school, but the adolescent musical quartet was born when a teacher at their high school asked the boys to perform at a school coronation, and the four gelled musically into a polished quartet. A charismatic chemistry developed between them, and the boy band was born.

Stylistically distinct among the group members is Marvin "Slim" Scandrick. Born on September 25, 1978, he is--by his own admission--preoccupied with his image, and takes pride in his appearance as a flashy dresser. One of three siblings, Scandrick plays all of the concert strings, including viola, cello, double bass, and violin. Vocalist Daron Jones, who often doubles as the record producer for 112, was born on December 28, 1977, the youngest of four children. As a student he joined the middle school chorus and the Atlanta Boys Choir. Strong, smart, and athletic, he maintained a B+ average in high school while playing receiver on the varsity football team and shooting guard for the varsity basketball club. He was also seen running cross country and track, and played tennis in high school.

Nearly two years younger than Jones, Michael Marcel Keith was born on December 19, 1979. One of three brothers, Keith's musical bent was reflected in his keyboard playing as a child. Reportedly his bandmates defer to him as the unofficial leader of the group. Although the members of 112 have readily shared lead vocals from track to track, Quinnes "Q" Parker, born on March 24, 1977, is credited with the mellow vocals that define the 112 signature sound.

Still in their teens, and still known as Forte, the quartet enlisted the professional management services of Courtney Sills and Kevin Wales, who alerted Sean "P. Diddy" Combs to the group's potential. Combs--then known as Puff Daddy or Puffy--discovered Forte while the group was performing at the Buckhead 112 Club in Buckhead, Georgia. Invited to New York by Combs, the Forte singers met at Combs's studio, called Daddy's House, where they began recording in August of 1995. "Why Did You Love Me," a b-side track, was the output of that inconspicuous first meeting, with engineer Steve Dent at the controls. Combs signed the four boys to his start-up venture, Bad Boy Records. Thereafter known as 112, the singers offered mellow, comforting harmonies that projected a wholesome image and positioned them for mainstream crossover success.

The group 112 released a debut single, "Only You," in the summer of 1996. It hit number three on the Rhythm & Blues (R&B) chart and scored as a crossover hit at number 13 on the pop charts. The selection was subsequently released as three tracks, as four tracks, and as a re-mix version with Mase and the late Christopher "Notorious B.I.G." Wallace. In July the song was certified gold, comfortably paving the way for a self-titled album debut from 112 in August. Faith Evans, B.I.G., and Craig Mack contributed cameos on 112, which achieved gold-volume sales by the end of its first week. One of the tracks, "Come See Me," was released as a single and reached number five on the R&B charts.

A series of hot single tracks by 112 populated the charts in 1997, beginning with "Come See Me," which hit the top 40 in January. "Cupid," released in May, made the top 40 and was certified gold in the same month. By August the track went platinum. Another 1997 single, "I'll Be Missing You," hit the top 40 in June and was certified triple platinum by July. Attaining the number one chart position by August, the song won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 1997. "I'll Be Missing You" sat at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for eleven weeks and spent nine weeks at the top of the Hot Singles sales. The track also topped the R&B singles, R&B singles sales, and rap singles charts for eight weeks running. The group booked tours with the Isleys, Keith Sweat, and New Edition, as well as with Puff Daddy and the Family, totaling four separate tours. The group spent 18 successive months on the road fulfilling tour commitments.

A new album, Room 112, hit stores in November of 1998. Both the album and its title single were certified gold, as was the album's "Love Me" track, also released as a single in November. Album sales surpassed the platinum level by May of 1999, and double platinum sales were recorded in 2002. A 2001 single, "It's Over Now," charted at the top of the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles and Tracks.

With multiple back-to-back hits, 112 earned recognition as the signature artists of Bad Boy Records. While the group was in production on a new album for 2001, however, executive producer Combs was called to court repeatedly, regarding a shooting incident. Instead of taping at the usual accommodations in Combs's studio, 112 went to Nashville, Tennessee, to record the new disc. It was a move that signaled a pending split with Bad Boy Records. The album, Part III, was released on March 20, 2001, following an intensive barrage of advance radio publicity. Even in the absence of Combs, Part III took off with a running start. It raced up the charts to debut at number two on the Billboard 200 chart. Surpassing gold sales in April, the album went platinum in May. To promote the album further, 112 joined Janet Jackson that summer for her All for You world tour.

Among the singles released from the album, an upbeat track called "Peaches and Cream"--which was credited in part to Combs--scored another crossover hit for the band. Released in June, the track soared to number one on the Rhythmic Top 40 and peaked at number four on the Hot 100. The group earned two award nominations for the song that year: an MTV Best Video nomination in September, and a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group.

In 2002 the group members, having matured both personally and professionally, came to the realization that a split with the Bad Boy label was necessary. In search of greater creative control, 112 broke with Bad Boy Records in February of 2002 and signed with Def Jam in July, insisting that the breakup was amicable. They reiterated this no-hard-feelings attitude by going to Daddy's House to record a debut album for Def Jam. Disagreements remained over ownership rights to the 112 catalog of songs, and Hot & Wet, the Def Jam debut disc, was waylaid as a result, while negotiations ensued between Lyor Cohen of Def Jam and Bad Boy owner Combs.

With both sides ultimately in agreement, Hot & Wet appeared in November of 2003, with its title song breaking into Billboard's Hot 100 and the Rhythmic Top 40 that year. In 2004 the album charted on the Billboard 200 and peaked at number four on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.

In 2007, 112 formed their own label One Twelve Music Group and were in talks with a joint venture deal with Irv Gotti's The Inc. Records-imprint to release an album in 2008. The group continued to tour nationally and world wide, whilst they embarked on their own solo projects. Daron Jones was reported to have left the group to pursue a solo career in 2007. However in 2008, he was seen performing with the group again while overseas in Germany and Belgium.

Michael Keith decided to leave 112 and go solo. He stated that a former groupmate stole his, and member Slim's, money, causing the two to leave. Slim however states that he never fell out with anyone over money and is still with 112. The group now consists of members Q, Slim, and Daron. Mike said his business partner showed him that he wasn't receiving his royalty checks and that he needed to sue either Q or Daron. Q said that he respects Michael Keith as a man but wishes he would not put false rumors out in public. Mike says that his personal relationships with the other three members are good but business wise he can't deal with them anymore.

In March 2010, 112 returned to the studio, according to member Q. Parker. The group is recording a follow up to the 2005 album, Pleasure & Pain. He broke the news via Twitter, "In the studio with my boys Mike and Daron! New 112 album comin soon!" The news of the group's reunion was also confirmed by member Daron Jones in an interview published on Sound-Savvy.com. Jones confirmed that the reunion will include Mike and Q, and possibly Slim. He commented, "Slim just didn’t want to be a part of it" But there are rumors that Slim might have had a change of heart. He recently recored a song with the group called "One More Try" it has not been confirmed if it will be on their new album or if Slim will be either. The yet-to-be titled album currently doesn’t have a release date.

In January 2011, Q Parker released a 12-month fitness calendar, and announced that his solo project will be released sometime this year. In March 2012 Daron confirmed he wanted the group to reconcile and get back together as he & Mike entered the recording studio to record together.

Studio:
-112 (1996)
-Room 112 (1998)
-Part III (2001)
- Hot & Wet (2003)
-Pleasure & Pain (2005)

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