112 Hopes Listeners Get To Know Them As Individuals Through Their New Album, `Part III'

Jet, Sept 17, 2001

R&B's 112 is enjoying the success of the group's third multiplatinum album, Part III, that has the metaphoric, sexually charged single Peaches & Cream currently in heavy rotation.

The quartet wants you to know that this is its breakout album because the members seized more creative control. They want you to know that all four members have lead-singing prowess. They want you to know that they write and produce their own songs. But most importantly, they want you to know each member by first name and recognize their individual personalities.

The Atlanta-based male group is comprised of Slim (Marvin Scandrick III), Daron (Daron Jones), Mike (Michael Keith) and Q (Quiness Parker).

The Bad Boy Entertainment recording artists are touring with Janet Jackson on her "All For You World Tour 2001."

"We've been around for five years and for the world to appreciate our music, they need to know the individuals," says Slim, who sings lead on the smash-hit Peaches & Cream. "All of our names are not 112; we do have identities."

Q, often labeled as the naughty one, says he is the epitome of a Bad Boy. "When it's my turn to go into the booth and sing my solo parts, it's always going to be about something that's freaky.... Vocally and personality-wise, everything I do is mellow. It's cool, calm, relaxed, sensual, and it's sexy.

"I'm not really going to sing a song saying, `Get out my house,' and all that, because that's not how I would say it. I'd say it like, `Baby, it's not working.'"

The soulful Mike belts out old-school tunes on Missing You and Don't Hate Me. "I'm the chicken- and-grits traditional one. My voice has remnants of Donny Hathaway, Al Green and Otis Redding.

"My voice is the go-get-'em one out of the group. I'm the guard dog. People will sic me on somebody. I'm the one who stresses loyalty and unity among everybody."

Slim's lean tone emerges as the group's most distinctive voice. "When I open my mouth, they say that's 112," the zestful Slim reveals.

"I'm the energizer bunny out the group. I enjoy life to the fullest. I love the limelight. I like the fly rides, the best clothes, the best food, all of that.

"My energy comes from the love we have for one another. The bond we have is unbreakable. One of us, we're very, very good," Slim says, gesturing with his fingers, "but all four of us together is unstoppable."

Daron unleashes much of the young men's creativeness. "I'm what a lot of people call the producer of the group." Daron, who opens the bluesy probachelor song Player, produced all but three tracks on the new album. "I help to mold the group's sound musically. It's really not a set role for anybody. They always change, depending upon what's needed for that day and how each person feels."

The twenty-something men are proud of this album because they were able to do "what we wanted to do."

The romantic Q informs 112 fans: "We're constantly growing talentwise. There's so much more. This is just another beginning."