112 – 112

Review

112’s self-titled debut from 1996 arrives soaked in that unmistakable Bad Boy sheen, but what really carries the project is the group’s chemistry and control. From the slow-burn mood of "112 Intro," the quartet leans hard into vulnerability, letting songs like "Now That We’re Done" and "Pleasure & Pain" breathe with confession and longing. Their harmonies feel intentional and lived-in, even when the subject matter turns tender or tense. You can hear a young group figuring out how to balance romance with reality, and that tension gives the record its pulse.

The remix of "Only You" with The Notorious B.I.G. and Ma$e pushes the album squarely into the hip-hop R&B lane, wrapping smooth vocals around booming drums and swagger without losing elegance. Interludes like "Why (Interlude)" and "Sexy You (Interlude)" keep the pacing playful, while cuts such as "Cupid," "Can I Touch You," and "Come See Me" lean confidently into intimacy. The production roster—Stevie J., Tim & Bob, Al B. Sure, and Daron Jones—keeps things polished, especially on ballad-heavy moments like "I Can’t Believe," "I Will Be There," and "In Love with You." By the time the album closes with "Throw It All Away," 112 has firmly established a style rooted in passion, harmony, and that mid-90s Bad Boy glow.- Monique