112 (album)

Last updated
112
112debut.jpg
Studio album by
112
ReleasedAugust 27, 1996
Genre
Length73:18
Label
Producer
112 chronology
112
(1996)
Room 112
(1998)
Singles from 112
  1. "Only You"
    Released: May 13, 1996
  2. "Only You (Bad Boy Remix)"
    Released: July 8, 1996
  3. "Come See Me"
    Released: October 21, 1996
  4. "Cupid"
    Released: May 16, 1997

112 is the debut album from the American R&B group 112. It was released on August 27, 1996, as one of the first R&B records on Sean Combs' Bad Boy label. The majority of the album was produced primarily by Combs, Tim & Bob and one of the first Hitmen, Stevie J. It also included contributions from group member Daron Jones, Al B Sure!, Kyle West, Arnold Hennings and Boyz II Men vocalist Wanya Morris. [1] The album features label mates the late The Notorious B.I.G., Mase and Faith Evans. Three singles were released from the album: "Only You", "Come See Me" and "Cupid". All of the singles had music videos released. [1]

Contents

Background

Originally known as Forte while in high school and still in their teens, [1] the quartet enlisted the professional management services of Courtney Sills and Kevin Wales. [1] Named after the Atlanta-based club 112, the group performed there in front of singers Faith Evans and Usher along with Bad Boy founder Sean Combs. [1] After their performance, the group became the second R&B act signed to Bad Boy behind Faith Evans, who – along with producer Chucky Thompson – recommended Combs to sign them. [1]

According to 112 member and producer Daron Jones, the group Boyz II Men was a primary influence on their debut. [1] The reason for their influence was due to them accepting several songs produced by Tim Kelley & Bob Robinson that were initially planned for inclusion on Boyz II Men's second album II . [1] Producer Bob Robinson revealed that Boyz II Men wanted Tim & Bob to produce the majority of II, but Motown Records president Jheryl Busby felt uncomfortable with unknown producers helming a project by a group that was the biggest act in the world at the time. [2] Busby then sought out productions from more established names and as a result, Kelley & Robinson's songs – notably "Now That We're Done" and "Can I Touch You" – were later given to 112 for their album. [2] Jones felt inconfident about his lead vocals while recording "Now That We're Done" and was surprised at the reaction to his performance. [1] Singer Brandy – who was there with the song's co-writer Wanya Morris – caught Jones off-guard when she asked him to teach her how to do the riffs and runs she heard from him. [1]

Producer Stevie J was brought into the project fresh off from his touring with Jodeci and appearing on their 1995 album The Show, The After Party, The Hotel . [1] Stevie served as a mentor to Jones, who expressed a desire to become a songwriter and producer. [1] The first single from 112 - "Only You" - was hated by the group because of the restrained vocals, which they felt wasn't the best song to showcase their singing. [1] According to Jones, they initially wanted "Now That We're Done" released as the first single and the only thing that made them like "Only You" was the remix - which was also included on the album. [1] They quickly dismissed the song and felt it wasn't going to be successful. [1] The song about which they were indifferent became a breakout hit for them.

Another single "Cupid" was primarily inspired by Babyface. [1] The group wanted the songwriter/producer to work on their debut, but financial issues and budget constraints prevented him from working on the album. [1] Jones then felt he could write a "Babyface" type of song and later worked with Dallas Austin protégé Arnold Hennings on producing it. [1] Al B. Sure! and Dave Hollister were called in to work on the album as well. [1] While none of Hollister's songs made the final track listing, one of Sure!'s contributions "Erase The Day" was left off while his other contribution "This Is Your Day" was included on the album. [1] The group started recording in February 1995 and finished the album in January 1996. [1]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [3]
The Source (favorable) [4]

Leo Stanley of AllMusic wrote: "112 have strong voices, and their smooth harmonies are quite seductive, making the lack of originality in their music easy to overlook." [3]

Track listing

Songwriting credits and track listing adapted from liner notes. [5]

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."112 Intro" Stevie J.2:12
2."Now That We're Done"5:09
3."Pleasure & Pain"
  • S. Jordan
  • Sean Combs
  • D. Jones
  • M. Keith
  • M. Scandrick
  • Q. Parker
  • Lamont Maxwell
4:17
4."Why" (Interlude)
  • T. Kelley
  • B. Robinson
  • D. Jones
  • Courtney Sills
  • M. Scandrick
  • M. Keith
  • Q. Parker
Tim & Bob1:43
5."Cupid"
  • Arnold Hennings
  • C. Sills
  • D. Jones
  • M. Keith
  • M. Scandrick
  • Q. Parker
  • Arnold Hennings
  • Daron Jones
4:12
6."Call My Name"
  • Alex Richbourg
  • Sean "Puffy" Combs
4:04
7."Come See Me" (featuring Mr. Cheeks)
Tim & Bob4:25
8."Sexy You" (Interlude)
  • Kevin Wales
  • S. Jordan
  • D. Jones
Stevie J.1:50
9."Can I Touch You"
  • T. Kelley
  • B. Robinson
  • W. Morris
  • Tim & Bob
  • Wanya Morris [a]
5:05
10."I Can't Believe" (featuring Faith Evans)
  • S. Combs
  • S. Jordan
  • D. Jones
  • M. Keith
  • M. Scandrick
  • Q. Parker
  • C. Sills
  • Sean "Puffy" Combs
  • Stevie J.
5:32
11."Keep It Real" (Interlude)
  • D. Jones
  • M. Keith
  • M. Scandrick
  • Q. Parker
  • K. Wales
  • Tim & Bob
  • Daron Jones
2:39
12."Only You (Bad Boy Remix)" (featuring The Notorious B.I.G. & Mase)
  • Sean "Puffy" Combs
  • Stevie J.
4:49
13."I Will Be There"
  • D. Jones
  • S. Jordan
  • M. Keith
  • M. Scandrick
  • Q. Parker
  • Daron Jones
  • Stevie J.
4:47
14."In Love With You"
  • S. Combs
  • S. Jordan
  • D. Jones
  • M. Keith
  • M. Scandrick
  • Q. Parker
  • David Porter
  • Sean "Puffy" Combs
  • Stevie J.
4:33
15."Just a Little While"
  • T. Kelley
  • B. Robinson
Tim & Bob3:48
16."Why Does"
  • S. Combs
  • S. Jordan
  • D. Jones
  • M. Keith
  • M. Scandrick
  • Q. Parker
  • C. Sills
  • Sean "Puffy" Combs
  • Stevie J.
4:34
17."This Is Your Day"
4:47
18."Throw It All Away"
  • A. Hennings
  • S. Combs
  • D. Jones
  • M. Keith
  • M. Scandrick
  • Q. Parker
  • Daron Jones
  • Arnold Hennings
  • Sean "Puffy" Combs [a]
  • Stevie J. [a]
4:51
19."Only You (Clean Radio Mix)" (featuring The Notorious B.I.G.)
  • S. Combs
  • S. Jordan
  • C. Wallace
  • D. Jones
  • M. Keith
  • M. Scandrick
  • Q. Parker
  • DJ Rogers, Jr.
  • H.W. Casey
  • R. Finch
  • Sean "Puffy" Combs
  • Stevie J.
4:21

Notes

Sample credits

Personnel

Adapted from the album's liner notes. [5]

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [12] Platinum100,000^
United States (RIAA) [13] 2× Platinum2,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateLabel(s)Format(s)Catalog
United StatesAugust 27, 1996 Bad Boy Records
  • Cassette
  • CD
  • Vinyl
B0000039Q7

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boyz II Men</span> American vocal group

Boyz II Men is an American vocal harmony group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, best known for emotional ballads and a cappella harmonies. Formed in 1985, they have been a trio composed of baritone Nathan Morris alongside tenors Wanyá Morris and Shawn Stockman since 2003. During the 1990s, Boyz II Men was a quartet with bass singer, Michael McCary, who left the group in 2003 due to health issues that were diagnosed as multiple sclerosis.

<i>Out in L.A.</i> 1994 compilation album by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Out in L.A. is a compilation of rare tracks by the Red Hot Chili Peppers released November 1, 1994, on EMI. Interpreted by music critics as an attempt by EMI to capitalize on the group's newfound success with Warner Bros., it collects remixes, demo recordings, live covers and outtakes. On release, Out in L.A. received negative reviews from music critics.

112 is an American R&B group from Atlanta, Georgia. Discovered by record production duo Tim & Bob, the group signed with Puff Daddy's Bad Boy Records, an imprint of Arista Records to release their eponymous debut studio album (1996). The following year, they guest performed alongside labelmate Faith Evans on Puff Daddy's 1997 single "I'll Be Missing You," which won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group and became the first hip hop song to debut atop the Billboard Hot 100. The group then released their second and third albums Room 112 (1998) and Part III (2001); the latter peaked at number two on the Billboard 200. The group's fourth album, Hot & Wet (2003) served as their final release with Bad Boy until signing with Def Soul to release their fifth album Pleasure & Pain (2005), which saw continued commercial success. The albums spawned the Billboard Hot 100-top 20 singles including their debut, "Only You" as well as "Cupid," "Anywhere", "Love Me", "It's Over Now," and the Grammy Award-nominated "Peaches & Cream."

<i>II</i> (Boyz II Men album) 1994 studio album by Boyz II Men

II is the third studio album by American R&B quartet Boyz II Men, released on August 30, 1994, on Motown Records. It contained the No. 1 singles "I'll Make Love to You" and "On Bended Knee", the latter of which replaced the former at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, making the group the third artist to replace themselves at No. 1 in the United States after Elvis Presley and The Beatles and the first to achieve the feat in 30 years.

<i>Destinys Child</i> (album) 1998 studio album by Destinys Child

Destiny's Child is the debut studio album by American R&B group of the same name, released by Ruffhouse, Columbia Records and Music World Entertainment on February 17, 1998. It features the singles "No, No, No" and "With Me", both of which preceded the album. "Killing Time" was also featured in "Men in Black: The Album" and released as a promotional single in 1997. Prior to release, the album was set to be called "Bridges". The album spent twenty six weeks on the US Billboard 200 chart and peaked at number sixty-seven. To date the album has sold a total of 831,000 copies in America. In the United Kingdom, it reached the top fifty, peaking at number forty-five. It was re-packaged and re-released in several countries after the success of the follow-up album, The Writing's on the Wall (1999). The album was met with generally favorable reviews from music critics, including AllMusic and Rolling Stone, and won a Soul Train Lady of Soul Award for Best R&B/Soul Album of the Year.

<i>Love, Peace & Nappiness</i> 1997 studio album by Lost Boyz

Love, Peace & Nappiness is the second studio album by American hip hop group Lost Boyz. It was released on June 17, 1997, via Universal Records. Recording sessions took place at Unique Recording in New York and at Honey Comb Hideout in Brooklyn. Production was handled by Bink!, "Buttnaked" Tim Dawg, Glenn S.O.N. Faide, Mr. Sexxx, Ron G, Terence Dudley, DJ Rob, Easy Mo Bee, Ike Lee III, "Pito" Jones, and Charles Suitt, who also served as executive producer. It features guest appearances from A+, Canibus, Queens Most Wanted, Da Black Pharaoh, King Keiwanee, Lovebug Starski, Redman and Aarian Pope. The album peaked at number nine on the Billboard 200 and number two the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart in the United States. It was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on September 17, 1997. Its lead single "Me and My Crazy World" reached number 52 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<i>Room 112</i> 1998 studio album by 112

Room 112 is the second studio album by the American R&B quartet 112, released in 1998. The album features label mates Mase and Faith Evans; it also features Lil' Kim, Lil' Zane and MJG. The two singles, "Love Me", featuring Mase, and "Anywhere", featuring Lil' Zane, charted at number 17 and number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively.

<i>Pleasure & Pain</i> (112 album) 2005 studio album by 112

Pleasure & Pain is the fifth studio album by American R&B group 112. It was released by Def Soul on March 29, 2005 in the United States. Named after the song "Pleasure & Pain" on 112's 1996 eponymous debut album, 112, the album did not fare as well as their first three albums, but the album did manage to spawn one hit single in 2005; the single "U Already Know" peaked at #32 on the Billboard Hot 100, while the second single "What If" reached #74. It was the first 112 album to get a Parental Advisory sticker. The single, "U Already Know", has two official remixes, the official Murder Remix featuring Ja Rule & Harry O and the official Roc-A-Fella Remix featuring Foxy Brown.

<i>Part III</i> (112 album) 2001 studio album by 112

Part III is the third studio album by American R&B group 112. It was released by Bad Boy Records on March 20, 2001, in the United States. Unlike the previous releases, the album is described as having edgier, techno-flavored jams, resulting in a more modern and forward-sounding effort. 112 worked with musicians Anthony Dent, R. Kelly, Tim & Bob, Mario Winans, and Bad Boy head Sean Combs on the album, with band member Daron Jones helming production on the majority of Part III. The album was the group's last album with Arista Records.

<i>Hot & Wet</i> 2003 studio album by 112

Hot & Wet is the fourth studio album by American R&B group 112. It was released by Bad Boy Records and Def Soul on December 9, 2003 in the United States. The album followed the successful Part III album, with the club tracks "Na Na Na Na" and "Hot & Wet" which was produced by Stevie J. It was also their first album not exclusively associated with Bad Boy, signaling the groups' eventual departure from the label in 2004.

<i>Chef Aid: The South Park Album</i> 1998 soundtrack album by various artists

Chef Aid: The South Park Album is a 1998 soundtrack album based on the American animated comedy series South Park. Several well-known artists perform on the record, which was mainly produced by Rick Rubin. Chef Aid contains a number of songs from and inspired by the show, while other songs are largely independent from South Park. The album was released during the show's second season, shortly after the broadcast of the episode called "Chef Aid", which features many of the stars and songs that appear on the recording. Soul singer Isaac Hayes appears in character as Chef throughout the album, which mimicks a live concert.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim & Bob</span> American record producer and songwriter duo

Tim & Bob, also known as Funktwons, were an American songwriting and production duo from Peoria, Illinois. The duo has been credited on the Billboard Hot 100 top ten-singles "Thong Song" by Sisqó, "Slow Down" by Bobby V and "They Don't Know" by Jon B., as well as the top 40-singles "So Into You" by Tamia and "Come See Me" by 112. They discovered the latter act in Atlanta during the late 1990s, and have since worked extensively with acts such as Bobby V, Boyz II Men, Donell Jones and Monica to produce one or more of their albums, respectively. They disbanded in 2014 to separately pursue solo work.

<i>The Promise</i> (Earth, Wind & Fire album) 2003 studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire

The Promise is the eighteenth studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire released in May 2003 on Kalimba Music. The album peaked at No. 19 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and No. 5 on the Billboard Top Independent Albums chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brokenhearted (Brandy song)</span> 1995 single by Brandy

"Brokenhearted" is a song by American recording artist Brandy Norwood. It was written and produced by Kipper Jones and Keith Crouch for her self-titled debut studio album, Brandy (1994). Requested by then Atlantic Records head Sylvia Rhone, the song was developed late into the production of the album. Pressured to meet Rhone's deadline for Brandy, Kipper suffered from a case of writer's block during the early writing process but eventually came up with the idea for a sweet, morose R&B ballad that deals with the aches of a teenager's first heartbreak.

<i>Cool Relax</i> 1997 studio album by Jon B

Cool Relax is the second studio album by American singer Jon B. It was released by Tracey Edmonds' label Yab Yum Records and distributed by Epic Records subsidiary 550 Music on September 16, 1997.

<i>Loud Rocks</i> 2000 compilation album by various artists

Loud Rocks is a rap rock compilation album by American hip hop record label Loud Records, composed of remixes, covers and collaborations between rock and hip hop music artists. It was released on September 5, 2000 in four editions: one with explicit lyrics, a clean version, a Japanese and a Canadian version.

<i>Blue Funk</i> 1992 studio album by Heavy D & The Boyz

Blue Funk is the fourth studio album by American hip hop group Heavy D & the Boyz. It was released on December 22, 1992 via Uptown Records. Recording sessions took place at The Hit Factory, Soundtrack Studios, Axis Studios, Greene St. Recording and D&D Studios in New York. Production was handled by Jesse West, Pete Rock, Tony Dofat, DJ Premier, Skeff Anselm, Steely & Clevie, with DJ Eddie F, Heavy D and Puff Daddy serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from 3rd Eye, Busta Rhymes, Gang Starr, Notorious B.I.G., Phat Doug and Rob-O. The album peaked at number 40 on the Billboard 200 and number 7 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. It was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on March 17, 1993 for selling 500,000 units in the US alone.

<i>Personal</i> (Men of Vizion album) 1996 studio album by Men of Vizion

Personal is the debut studio album by the American vocal group Men of Vizion. It was released on June 18, 1996, via Michael Jackson's record label, MJJ Music, after a demo tape was played to him by producer Teddy Riley. The album has been described as a "sumptuous blend" of vocal R&B and "90s production techniques", that alternates between smooth ballads and new jack swing.

<i>Be Still Moses</i> 2020 studio album by Steep Canyon Rangers

Be Still Moses is the 12th studio album by American bluegrass band Steep Canyon Rangers. The North Carolina label, Yep Roc Records, released the album digitally on March 6, 2020, then on CD and LP on April 10, 2020. The album was made in collaboration with the Asheville Symphony. The album's title track, "Be Still Moses," features the Philadelphia R&B/Soul group Boyz II Men. Be Still Moses reached #1 on Billboard's Bluegrass Chart, #2 on the Classical Crossover Chart, and #8 on the Americana/Folk Chart.

<i>Horace Brown</i> (album) 1996 studio album by Horace Brown

Horace Brown is the only studio album by American contemporary R&B singer Horace Brown. It was released on June 18, 1996, via Motown Records. Recording sessions took place at Giant Recording Studios, Daddy's House Recording Studios, Sony Music Studios, Soundtrack Studios, Platinum Island Studios, Reflections Studio and Unique Recording Studios in New York City, Caribbean Sound Basin in Port of Spain, and DMH Studios in Elmsford. Production was handled by Dave "Jam" Hall, Puff Daddy, Stevie J, Big Bub, Charles Farrar, DeVante Swing, Dr. Ceuss, Kevin Deane, Troy Taylor, and DJ Eddie F, who also served as executive producer together with Andre Harrell and Lewis Tillman. It features a lone guest appearance from Faith Evans.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Williams, Chris. "112's debut album revisited with co-founder Daron Jones & producer Stevie J. | Return To The Classics". soulculture.com. Soul Culture. Archived from the original on November 9, 2014. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  2. 1 2 Williams, Chris. "Boyz II Men's II LP revisited with Bob Robinson (of Tim & Bob) | Return To The Classics". soulculture.com. Soul Culture. Archived from the original on December 20, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  3. 1 2 AllMusic review
  4. Album reviews at CD Universe
  5. 1 2 112 - 112 (CD liner notes). Bad Boy Entertainment/Arista Records. 78612-73009-2
  6. "Top RPM Albums: Issue 9835". RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  7. "112 Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
  8. "112 Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
  9. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1996". Billboard. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  10. "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1997". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  11. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1997". Billboard. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  12. "Canadian album certifications – 112 – 112". Music Canada.
  13. "American album certifications – 112 – 112". Recording Industry Association of America.