When hip hop enthusiasts reflect on the last great release day in music, September 29, 1998, immediately comes to mind. On that day, Jay-Z’s “Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life,” OutKast’s “Aquemini,” Black Star’s “Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star,” A Tribe Called Quest’s “The Love Movement,” and Brand Nubian’s “Foundation” were all released.
When I was in eleventh grade, I remember getting off work and going to Best Buy with my friends. We each bought an album and then made copies of those albums to share with others. Less than a month later, R&B artists like Dru Hill, Faith Evans, Total, and 112 all released their sophomore albums. This week, 112’s “Room 112” is my pick for Second Listen Sunday.
The album’s first single, “Love Me,” was produced by Leslie Brathwaite and written by the group. Q and Mike share lead vocals on the song, with Slim providing ad-libs. The Luther Vandross sampling track is an up-tempo bop that explores the intense feelings and desires of being in a committed relationship. Q and Mike both sound great on the song while Mase adds his signature flow, complete with that Bad Boy flavor.
The sexually charged track “Anywhere” was the next single from the album. Group member Daron Jones, a highly underrated producer in his own right, produced the song, featuring lead vocals from Q and Slim, with a quick, hot 16 from rising rapper Lil’ Zane. The song presents a sensual exploration of sexual desires between two consenting adults.
The lyrics penned by the group suggest that the couple is alone and free to act out their wildest and most intimate fantasies. The explicit sexual descriptions in both the verses and the chorus highlight the physical attraction and sexual chemistry between the two, never coming off as crass or condescending.
Daron also took center stage on the third single, “Love You Like I Did”. In addition to producing the track, Daron was the lead vocalist while Slim handled the bridge. A somber ballad, here the group croons about letting a woman know the next man can’t compete with him.
The album’s final single, “Your Letter,” was written by the legendary Diane Warren and produced by Khris Kellow. Q and Slim share lead vocals as they reflect on a discovered letter that stirs excitement, hinting at feelings from someone he cares for. This moment is hopeful, filled with the possibility of love. However, as they read on, they discover the letter is not for him but for someone else, leading to a deep sense of disappointment and heartbreak.
The rest of the album is just as strong, with some of the interludes being better than some artists’ entire discography. The true strength lies in the ballads, though, whether it’s the Eric Roberson-penned “Funny Feelings”, the Faith Evans duet “For Awhile”, the honest “Someone to Hold”, or arguably the group’s best album track, “Crazy Over You”.
Easily avoiding the sophomore slump, “Room 112” is a slice of nineties R&B at its best.
Final Grade: A
“Room 112” is available on all streaming platforms.
As fans prepare for his upcoming co-headlining tour, Ne-Yo isn’t just revisiting his past; he’s expanding his horizons. “Up Out & Gone” continues his recent shift towards country-influenced sounds, but it’s important to note that this isn’t a genre switch—it’s a blend.
If you had told me ten years ago that I would fall behind on music, I would have laughed it off. But as they say, we are all adulting now. Thankfully, friends like Edward Bowser from SoulInStereo.com and Brandon Sullivan from Shatter The Standards keep my musical interests alive.
Kicking off my first interview is DMV based rapper K-Quick