How an Atlanta nightclub audition launched a Grammy-winning R&B quartet to global stardom
In short: Discovered in Atlanta, the R&B group 112 rose from local talent shows to international fame under Sean Combs's Bad Boy Records. Their journey, defined by chart-topping hits and high-profile collaborations, reflects the volatile dynamics of the music industry, marked by creative shifts, label departures, and eventual reunions over three decades.
Formed in Atlanta, the group originally known as Forte consisted of Daron Jones, Michael Keith, Reginald Finley, and later Aldon Lagon and Marvin Scandrick. After auditioning for Sean Combs outside the Buckhead nightclub Club 112, the quartet—comprising Michael Keith, Marvin Scandrick, Daron Jones, and Quinnes Parker—was signed to Bad Boy Records. They adopted the name 112, honoring the venue where they secured their big break.
The group’s trajectory was meteoric. Their 1996 self-titled debut went double platinum, and they gained massive exposure by guesting on Combs's 1997 single 'I'll Be Missing You,' which topped the Billboard Hot 100 for eleven weeks. Despite this success, internal tensions and a desire for creative control led to a departure from Bad Boy in 2002. Their transition to Def Jam’s Def Soul imprint was complicated by legal negotiations over catalog ownership, delaying their fourth album, Hot & Wet, until 2003.
The mid-2000s saw the group navigate both commercial highs and personal fractures. While their 2005 album Pleasure & Pain achieved platinum status, rumors of financial disputes and solo ambitions led to a period of separation. Members pursued individual projects, with Michael Keith releasing a solo album in 2008 and Slim launching his own label. However, the group eventually reconciled, embarking on the 'For The Fans Tour' in 2012 and continuing to release music, including the 2020 EP Forever. As of 2025, they remain active, preparing for a 30th-anniversary tour.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: 112 (band)
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