What Happened? Patti Labelle

Patti LaBelle

Patricia Louise Holte was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 24, 1944. Her father, Henry Holte (alternatively, Holt), was a railroad worker and lounge singer. Her mother, Bertha Holte, was a domestic and housewife. Holte was one of four daughters (Vivian, Barbara, Patricia and Jacqueline). Holte recalls having a happy childhood but said being sexually molested at the age of seven led her to be shy and withdrawn. When Holte was twelve, her parents split up and Bertha Holte raised her daughters as a single mother. Holte's mother later adopted Claudette Grant, who would become one of Holte's closest friends.

Despite her shyness, Holte was known for her gifted voice even as a child. After first joining her church choir at ten, she sung her first solo at the Beulah Baptist Church at the age of twelve. Growing up, Holte listened not only to gospel, but jazz and rhythm and blues. By her teens, "Patsy", as friends and family called her, also began listening to doo-wop and was encouraged to form a girl group in the late fifties. In 1958, she formed The Ordettes with three other friends. The following year, when two members of the group dropped out, singers Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash, from a former rival group, joined them. Eventually with Cindy Birdsong included in the lineup by 1961 and with respected music impresario Bernard Montague managing them, the group gained a reputation around Philadelphia and soon caught the eye of a record scout, who introduced them to Newtown Records president Harold Robinson.

After hearing Holte's voice during an audition, Robinson, who nearly ditched the group due to their looks—he allegedly thought Holte was "too plain and dark" to lead a singing group, agreed to sign the group, renaming them The Blue Belles (the name would simply be "The Bluebelles" by the mid‑1960s), after a Newtown subsidiary label.

Not long after signing, the group was credited for the hit single, "I Sold My Heart to the Junkman", though the song was recorded by another girl group, the Chicago-based The Starlets. This led to a. lawsuit by a manager of the group and its record label boss, later resulting in the group winning $5,000 in damages. "I Sold My Heart to the Junkman" eventually reached the Billboard top 20. Despite this credited success, the group could not follow up with any other hit. The Blue Belles supported themselves by constantly touring including an appearance at the Apollo Theater.

In 1963 a record label executive sued Harold Robinson for use of the name "Blue Belles", since another group was using the name. As a result, Robinson gave Holte the nickname, Patti La Belle (La Belle is French for "the beautiful one") and the group's name was altered to "Patti La Belle and Her Blue Belles". A year later, the group left Newtown switching over to Cameo-Parkway Records. Their first hit for Cameo-Parkway was the top 40 hit, "Down the Aisle (The Wedding Song)". Their follow-ups included "You'll Never Walk Alone" and "Danny Boy".

In 1965 Atlantic Records president Ahmet Ertegun signed the group to the label, working with the group for a year. The group issued their first studio album (as Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles) titled Somewhere Over the Rainbow in 1966. While they had a modest pop charted hit with "All or Nothing" and its b‑side, a pop cover of Judy Garland's "Over The Rainbow", the group was not as successful as the label predicted. In 1967, their second release, Dreamer, issued two singles, "Take Me For A Little While" and the Curtis Mayfield standard, "I'm Still Waiting".

In the mid of touring for that album, Cindy Birdsong suddenly left the group to join The Supremes after replacing Florence Ballard. The remaining trio of LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash struggled with subsequent recordings and by 1970, Atlantic had dropped the group from its roster, as had longtime manager Bernard Montague, who had by now focused his full energy on more successful Philly groups such as The Delfonics and The Stylistics.

After almost signing a management deal with Frankie Crocker and Herb Hamlett, the group settled on British manager Vicki Wickham (producer of the UK pop show, Ready, Steady, Go!) after Dusty Springfield had mentioned signing them. Wickham advised the group to perform in London and work on a brand new image and sound. LaBelle would later have disagreements with Wickham over changes often saying in interviews that she liked things the way they were. This led to some musical disagreements between LaBelle and Nona Hendryx.

In late 1970, the group returned to the United States changing their name to Labelle and signing a contract with Warner Bros imprint, Track Records. Wickham then had the group open for rock group The Who. In 1971 the group released their Warner debut, Labelle. The record mixed harder-edged soul music with rock music elements, a marked departure from the pop sound of the Blue Belles. The album failed to catch on, as did their 1972 follow-up, Moon Shadow. The group, however, did find success singing alongside Laura Nyro on her acclaimed album, Gonna Take a Miracle. The group would tour with Nyro off and on for the next couple of years.

In 1973 Wickham had the group signed to RCA Records, in Chicago where they recorded the Pressure Cookin' album. In the middle of recording, LaBelle gave birth to her only child, Zuri. While promoting the album opening for The Rolling Stones, Wickham advised the group to adapt the same flamboyant costumes of rock artists such as T. Rex, Elton John, and David Bowie. Soon, their own stage entrances started to take a life on its own, at one point the group members flew into the concert stage, while singing. Despite this change in direction, their third album failed to become a success. However, a scout for Epic Records advised the group to sign with them in 1974 at the end of the Rolling Stones tour.

Later that year, Labelle issued their most acclaimed album, Nightbirds. In October 1974, the group made history by becoming the first pop group to perform at the Metropolitan Opera House. In late December, Epic issued the single, "Lady Marmalade". Within six months, the record became a smash and reached number-one on the Billboard Hot 100, the group's first to do so. This helped their album sell over a million copies. Their fame was so massive during this time that they made the cover of Rolling Stone later in 1975.

Later in 1975, the group issued their follow-up, Phoenix, which did not quite catch on as fast though it was critically raved. They had a little more success with the Chameleon album in 1976, with the songs, "Get You Somebody New" and "Isn't It A Shame", the latter song Patti LaBelle would say was "the last record we ever did together". Despite her success, LaBelle was not pleased at the group's direction and by late 1976, neither LaBelle, Dash, nor Hendryx could agree on a musical direction. Following a concert in Baltimore in December 1976, LaBelle advised the others to break up.

LaBelle released her self-titled album in 1977 on Epic. The record was a critical success, with the highlights being the dance singles, "Joy To Have Your Love" and "Dan Swit Me" and the pop-R&B ballad, "You Are My Friend", a song she and her husband co‑wrote. Her subsequent follow-ups, however, 1978's Tasty, 1979's It's Alright with Me, and 1980s Released, failed to be as successful. Though well-established in some circles, LaBelle never follow her live performance success with hit records, which was often the case with the Bluebelles. In 1981, she was switched to the CBS subsidiary, Philadelphia International Records, issuing the album, The Spirit's In It.

LaBelle found success outside music, performing in the Broadway revival of Your Arms Too Short to Box with God, with Al Green. However, the play was criticized mainly because of what critics felt was vocal showboating by Green and LaBelle, criticism that LaBelle did not take lightly. In 1982 she recorded the Grover Washington ballad, "The Best Is Yet To Come", which led to her first top 20 R&B hit and her first Grammy nomination in the spring of 1983. Later that year, LaBelle appeared in the PBS-produced play, Working.

In October 1983, the mid-tempo love song, "If Only You Knew", was released. The parent album, I'm In Love Again, was released the following month. In January 1984, "If Only You Knew" reached number-one on the Hot R&B Singles chart, where it stayed for four weeks. The song became LaBelle's first charted hit on the Billboard Hot 100 as a solo artist, reaching the lower regions of the top fifty, peaking at number 46. The success of that single and its similar-sounding follow-up, "Love, Need and Want You", which reached number ten on the R&B chart, helped I'm in Love Again, reached gold in the United States.

Later in 1984, LaBelle appeared in her first film, A Soldier's Story. Her appearance in the film later led to Steven Spielberg handpicking her for the role of Shug Avery on The Color Purple, but she turned it down due to hearing that there was a nude scene and same-sex kissing. LaBelle would later regret her decision to turn down the role, after Margaret Avery won an Academy Award nomination for her role as Shug.

In the fall of 1984, LaBelle recorded the songs, "New Attitude" and "Stir It Up", later issued for the soundtrack of Beverly Hills Cop, released in December 1984. The soundtrack became a hit, thanks to the releases of "New Attitude" and "Stir It Up". The former single reached as high as number seventeen on the Hot 100 and was number-one on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart in the spring of 1985, introducing LaBelle to pop audiences.

In 1985 LaBelle left Philadelphia International signing a lucrative contract with MCA. PIR issued the final contractual LaBelle album, Patti. The album was not successful.

LaBelle garnered headlines in 1985 for her show stopping performances, first at Motown Returns to the Apollo where she opened the show with Joe Cocker singing You Are So Beautiful in which she received very high praise. In the same show she engaged in the so-called "infamous mic toss" between her and Diana Ross during the show's finale, to the Foreigner song, "I Want to Know What Love Is". LaBelle later alleged that Ross grabbed the microphone away from LaBelle following her taking over the lead, though someone else gave LaBelle another microphone where she finished singing. That same year, LaBelle was accused again of showboating, after singing in the finale of Live Aid to "We Are the World" so loud that she sounded as the only audible singer. Due to this press, she was given her own television special later that fall.

 Patti gained even more mainstream popularity culminating in the release of LaBelle's eighth album, 1986's Winner in You, which peaked at number-one on the Billboard 200 on the strength of the pop hit, "On My Own", a duet with singer Michael McDonald. The song became LaBelle's first number-one hit since "Lady Marmalade" and her highest selling album. Winner in You eventually sold a million copies, becoming platinum. It remains her best-selling album.

LaBelle took a break in 1988, re-emerging with Be Yourself, in 1989. The album went gold thanks to LaBelle's soft rock ballad, "If You Asked Me To" which also was the song for the final credits in the James Bond film Licence to Kill.

 In 1989 LaBelle also sang the role of "The Acid Queen" in The Who's star-studded performance of TOMMY in Los Angeles.

Her 1991 album, Burnin', resulted in LaBelle's first Grammy win for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, and spawned three top ten hits on Billboard's R&B chart also selling half a million copies becoming her third gold album.

In 1992 following her success on the sitcom Different World LaBelle starred in her own sitcom, Out All Night. The show was cancelled after only 19 episodes.

In 1993 she earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and two years afterwards, performed at the Super Bowl half-time show.

Her 1994 album, Gems and 1997 follow-up, Flame, also were certified gold and LaBelle's 1990s singles, "The Right Kinda Lover" and "When You Talk About Love" hit number-one on the dance charts.

In 1996 LaBelle issued her autobiography, Don't Block the Blessings.

She won a second Grammy in 1998 for her live album, One Night Only! Following the announcement of the end of her marriage to her husband, Armstead Edwards, who also dismissed himself as LaBelle's manager after more than 20 years.

LaBelle released the ballad-heavy When A Woman Loves album in 2000. LaBelle would not release another album until, after signing with the Def Jam Records imprint, Def Soul Classics, she released Timeless Journey, in 2004. The album became her highest-charted album in eighteen years.

In 2003 she starred in her own lifestyle show, Livin' It Up With Patti LaBelle, which aired for three years on the TV-One channel.

 In 2005 a follow-up album, Classic Moments, was released. Shortly after LaBelle left Def Jam Records in 2006 over a public dispute with Antonio "L.A." Reid. She released her first gospel album, The Gospel According to Patti LaBelle on the Bungalo label, the album later peaking at number-one on Billboard's gospel album chart.

She returned to Def Jam in 2007 and released her second holiday album, Miss Patti's Christmas. As of 2011, LaBelle has yet to release a new solo album.

In 2008, LaBelle briefly reunited with Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash as Labelle on the group's first new album in over thirty years, Back to Now.

On September 14, 2010, LaBelle made a return two decades after her last Broadway performance to star in the award-winning musical Fela! about Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. LaBelle replaced Tony Award-nominee Lillias White as Fela's mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, and remained with the production through the end of its run on January 2, 2011.

On May 23, 2011, LaBelle appeared on "Oprah's Farewell Spectacular, Part 1” the first show in a series of three shows constituting the finale of The Oprah Winfrey Show, singing "Over the Rainbow" with Josh Groban.

LaBelle was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the BET Awards on June 26, 2011.

She performed for Obama at the 9/11 tribute, singing "Two Steps Away". She received a standing ovation, after she walked away from the microphone and continued to be heard.

On December 21, 2011, she appeared on an episode of the Bravo television series Top Chef, surprising the ten remaining chefs after their "Quickfire" challenge. A shortened version of Lady Marmalade was in the broadcast, which was filmed in Austin, Texas. She then served as a guest judge on the episode.

In February 2012, LaBelle honored Mariah Carey singing Carey's hit single "Hero" at that year's BET Honors.

What Happened? Johnny Gill

Johnny Gill

Johnny Gill was born on May 22, 1966 in Washington, D.C, the son of a minister. He started singing at the age of five in a family gospel group called "Wings Faith" which included his brothers Bobby, Jeff, and Randy Gill (himself a solo recording artist and member of the group II D Extreme).

Gill attended Kimball Elementary, Sousa Junior High, and Duke Ellington School of the Arts. His busy career dictated that he complete his high-school education through the services of a tutor. Gill had planned to attend college and pursue a degree in electrical engineering, but decided instead to focus on his singing career.

Gill's recording career began in 1983, at the age of 17, when his childhood friend, singer Stacy Lattisaw, convinced him to record a demo. This demo fell into the hands of the president of Atlantic Records, and his self-titled debut album was released shortly thereafter, featuring the minor hit, "Super Love". On this album, Gill played guitar, bass, bongos, and drums in addition to performing lead and background vocals.

Gill then teamed up with Stacy for a duet album, which featured their first hit together, the title track, "Perfect Combination". The two release a duet album of the same title.

A second album on Atlantic Records yielded the song "Half Crazy", which is still a fan favorite.

Gill began a new chapter in his career in 1987, when he was recruited by Michael Bivins to join New Edition to replace lead singer Ralph Tresvant, who was rumored at the time to be leaving to pursue a solo career. Gill became the only member of New Edition who was not from Boston.

By 1988 Gill had left Atlantic and signed a new contract with Motown Records. Meanwhile, the boy band New Edition was looking for a new singer. New Edition had rocketed to fame in 1983 with the mega-hit "Candy Girl." After a string of more hits, lead singer Bobby Brown decided to pursue a solo career. Enter Gill. He had been friends with members of the group since their debut and, according to the New Edition Web site, "[the group] would always joke that if Johnny could hit one of their dance steps right, he could be in the group." With the understanding that he would continue to record as a soloist for Motown, Gill joined New Edition, who were then signed to MCA Records.

With Gill, the oldest member, as one of the lead singers (along with Tresvant, who ended up staying with New Edition and delaying the launch of his solo career) on the album Heart Break, the group developed a more mature, adult sound, hitting the charts with songs such as "Can You Stand The Rain", "N.E. Heartbreak", "If It Isn't Love", and the Gill-led "Boys To Men".

Despite the phenomenal success of Heart Break, New Edition decided to disband in 1989. Gill joined old pal Lattisaw on the single "Where Do We Go from Here," which landed him right back at the number one slot on the R&B charts. With the backing of Motown he also recorded his most successful album to date, 1990's Johnny Gill. Motown pulled out all stops for the album, hiring the best producers in urban music and sponsoring a massive marketing campaign. It worked. The public sent the album straight to double-platinum status and pushed three singles to number one on the R&B charts: "My, My, My," "Rub You the Right Way," and "Wrap Your Body Tight."

Johnny Gill earned the crooner a Grammy nomination for best R&B male vocal performance, though he lost to Luther Vandross. The album also established Gill as a master of the musical trend known as New Jack. In its early 1990s heyday, New Jack took the classic soul of R&B vocals, added a shot of sexiness, some slick synthesizers, and a hint of rap. With his self-titled album all over the top of the charts, Gill was labeled "the Marvin Gaye of the new-jack soul generation" by Entertainment Weekly.

Continuing his role as a romantic balladeer while emerging as a new jack swing star, he released a second self-titled album in 1990, which included the hits "My, My, My", "Rub You the Right Way", "Fairweather Friend", and "Wrap My Body Tight".

In 1991, Johnny was featured on the "New Jack City" soundtrack singing "I'm Still Waiting" and the Shanice singles "Silent Prayer" and "You Ain't All That."

Johnny has also made appearances on song "Yeah" by Eddie Murphy (which also featured Luther Vandross, Janet Jackson, Babyface, etc.). He also made guest appearances on the "Mo' Money" singing “Let’s Run Away” and "Boomerang" soundtracks and the En Vouge video "Giving Him Something He Can Feel." Johnny also made a little-known guest appearance on the show "Out All Night," which starred Patti LaBelle, Vivica A. Fox, Duane Martin and others, singing "There U Go" from the "Boomerang" soundtrack.

In 1993, Gill released his second solo projecton motown, Provocative, which included the songs "Quiet Time to Play", "A Cute, Sweet, Love Addiction", and the gospel song, "I Know Where I Stand".

In 1996, Gill was reunited with New Edition, including Bobby Brown, as they recorded Home Again, an album noted for the singles "Hit Me Off" and "Still In Love".

In 1996, Gill also released Let's Get the Mood Right, which included the title song, "Love In an Elevator", and "Maybe" - which is considered by many to be one of his greatest vocal performances ever.

In 1997, he collaborated with Gerald Levert and Keith Sweat to form the supergroup LSG (Levert/Sweat/Gill), which yielded the multi- platinum debut album, Levert.Sweat.Gill,

Also In 1997, Johnny released "Favorites," a collection of his greatest solo hits. He also appeared on the "Booty Call" soundtrack with a remake of the Rick James and Teena Marie hit "Fire and Desire," which he sang with Coko from SWV.

During 2002 New Edition appeared at the Black Entertainment Television (BET) music awards, where they met urban music mogul Sean "P. Diddy" Combs.

Johnny Gill reteamed with Levert and Sweat for a follow-up album in 2003 titled LSG2.

Sean P. Diddy Combs signed New Edition to his Bad Boy Records label and in 2004 New Edition released One Love. Gill was featured prominently on several tracks, prompting a St. Louis Post-Dispatch music reviewer to write, "[Gill] remains the group's ace." Fans were thrilled with the band's return to recording and pushed the record to the top of the charts. Reflecting on the album's success, Gill told Jet, "I think we were one of the first groups of our generation to do what we've done, be successful and then spin out and do our own thing and then come back. Most groups can't make it that far."

In the 2006 movie Madea's Family Reunion Johnny Gill performed “You For Me” during the wedding scene.

In 2008, Gill, as a member of New Edition, received the Golden Note Award at the ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards.

On September 27, 2008, he began touring with New Edition bandmates Ralph Tresvant and Bobby Brown in a new group named Heads of State.

Gill starred in the 2009 stage play A Mother's Prayer, which also starred Robin Givens, Shirley Murdock, and Jermaine Crawford.

In July 2010, Notifi Records, based out of St. Louis, MO, signed Gill to a recording contract. On October 11, 2011, Gill released his sixth studio album, Still Winning, which was his first album in 15 years. The first single off the album is titled "In the Mood".

Johnny Gill along with the rest of New Edition (including Bobby Brown) performed and received The Lifetime Achievement Award at 2012 Soul Train Awards.

Johnny Gill still tours solo and part of Head of State & New Edition.

What Happened? Jade

Jade

The group Jade was originally composed of Joi Marshall and two other members named Angie and Debbie and, as such, was first known as JAD. However, when Angie and Debbie were dropped from the group, Tonya Kelly and Di Reed were signed on by producer Vassal Benford, and the group's name was extended to Jade. Tonya grew up in Chicago listening to jazz vocalists such as Sarah Vaughan and Nat King Cole. Joi was also from the Windy City but was raised on Motown, especially Diana Ross. Di grew up in Houston singing gospel anywhere she could.

Jade's first success was on the Class Act soundtrack in 1992. Their hit single "I Wanna Love You" was one of the breakout songs on the soundtrack, cracking the Top 10 of the R&B charts and reaching #16 on the Billboard Hot 100.

It paved the way for their best known single "Don't Walk Away," which climbed to #2 on the R&B chart and was certified gold by the RIAA in 1993. The single would go on to sell 1.5 million copies worldwide. Subsequent singles "Looking for Mr. Do Right" and "One Woman" helped to push their debut album Jade to the Max to platinum-selling status, sparking a lengthy tour and spots on The Tonight Show, The Arsenio Hall Show, and the U.K.'s Top of the Pops.

Jade also performed on BET's Listening Party Live. The session was recorded and released as a CD in 1993. Jade was the only group to have a BET Listening Party album released.

In 1994 the band appeared in the movie The Inkwell, and released their second studio album Mind, Body & Song, upon which they served as co-writers and co-producers. Singles "5-4-3-2 (Yo! Time Is Up)" and "Every Day of the Week" propelled the album to gold status. The group disbanded thereafter, briefly reuniting in 1997 to contribute the track "Keep on Risin" to the soundtrack for the film The Sixth Man.

Jade also appeared on Beverly Hills, 90210 in the episode "You've Got To Have Heart," which aired on February 8, 1995. During their appearance, they performed "Every Day of the Week" produced by Robert Jerald (Rob Jay) of N'Spyre Music. The song also appeared on the Beverly Hills, 90210: The College Years soundtrack.

The song "5-4-3-2 (Yo! Time Is Up)" was used as part of the soundtrack for the New York Undercover episode "Eyewitness Blues."

 

Jade has not released any albums since 1994. Former member Joi Marshall wrote the book Answers to the 20 Most Asked Questions about the Music Business in 2004.  She continues to sing as an independent gospel artist and released an album, Testimony and Praise, on September 25, 2007.

Rod Stewart selected Di Reed to sing backup for his 2008 world tour.

What Happened? 112

112

112 (pronounced "one-twelve") formed in Atlanta, Georgia and consists of Marvin Eugene "Slim" Scandrick - born on September 25, 1978, one of three siblings, Scandrick plays all of the concert strings, including viola, cello, double bass, and violin; Michael Marcel Keith was born on December 18, 1978- one of three brothers, plays the keyboard; Quinnes "Q" Parker, born on March 24, 1976, is credited with the mellow vocals; and vocalist Daron Jones - who often doubles as the record producer for 112, was born on December 28, 1976, the youngest of four children. The group had its start when the members met while attending high school. They originally consisted of Daron Jones, Michael Keith, Marvin Scandrick, Reginald Finley, & Aldon Lagon. Shortly after Quinnes Parker was added to the group. Known as "Forte" at the time, the group performed talent shows and performed at churches and schools around Atlanta, eventually gained the attention of Courtney Sills and Kevin Wales, the group's would-be managers.

Reginald & Aldon would both leave the group during this time and the group was down to a quartet of Quinnes, Daron, Marvin, & Michael. After being brought to the attention of Sean Combs via discovery by the production duo Tim & Bob, the group was quickly signed in front of a local club in Atlanta called "Buckhead 112 Club", which is credited to the group’s name 112.

They moved themselves to New York, and began recording their debut album 112. Released in 1996, the album eventually went double platinum. The album which was primarily produced by Tim & Bob entered into the top 5 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart, and went on to sale over two million copies. It featured the hit singles "Only You" and "Cupid", both of which peaked at #13 on the Hot 100 and #3 and #2 on the R&B charts respectively.

The group also contributed to records by artists including The Notorious B.I.G, Puff Daddy & Mase. The group eventually went on the road as the opening act for the Isley Brothers at Ron Isley's request, the first of four separate tours that saw the group criss-crossing the U.S. with Keith Sweat, New Edition and finally Puff Daddy and the Family, over an 18 month period. In the years that followed, they found themselves touring with other artists such as Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson.

A series of hot single tracks by 112 populated the charts in 1997, beginning with Tim & Bob produced single "Come See Me," which hit the top 40 in January. "Cupid," Produced by Arnold Hennings, released in May, made the top 40 and was certified gold in the same month. By August the track went platinum. Another 1997 single, "I'll Be Missing You," hit the top 40 in June and was certified triple platinum by July. Attaining the number one chart position by August, the song won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 1997. "I'll Be Missing You" sat at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for eleven weeks and spent nine weeks at the top of the Hot Singles sales. The track also topped the R&B singles, R&B singles sales, and rap singles charts for eight weeks running. The group booked tours with the Isleys, Keith Sweat, and New Edition, as well as with Puff Daddy and the Family, totaling four separate tours. The group spent 18 successive months on the road fulfilling tour commitments.

Their second album, Room 112 was released in 1998, and featured the hits, "Love Me" featuring Mase and "Anywhere" featuring Lil Zane. Both the album and the song "Love Me" were certified gold. Album sales surpassed the platinum level by May 1999, and double platinum sales were recorded in 2002.

A 2001 single, "It's Over Now", charted at the top of the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs. The group's third album, Part III was released in 2001, spun the hit Peaches & Cream, and earned the group their first and only Grammy nomination in the Best R&B Group or Duo category. While the group was in production on a new album for 2001, however, executive producer Combs was called to court repeatedly, regarding a shooting incident. Instead of taping at the usual accommodations in Combs's studio, 112 went to Nashville, Tennessee, to record the new disc. It was a move that signaled a pending split with Bad Boy Records. The album, Part III, was released on March 20, 2001, following an intensive barrage of advance radio publicity. Even in the absence of Combs, Part III took off with a running start. It raced up the charts to debut at number two on the Billboard 200 chart. Surpassing gold sales in April, the album went platinum in May. To promote the album further, 112 joined Janet Jackson that summer for her All for You world tour. Among the singles released from the album, an upbeat track called "Peaches and Cream"—which was credited in part to Combs—scored another crossover hit for the band. Released in June, the track soared to number one on the Rhythmic Top 40 and peaked at number four on the Hot 100. The group earned two award nominations for the song that year: an MTV Best Video nomination in September, and a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group.

In 2002 the group members, having matured both personally and professionally, came to the realisation that a split with the Bad Boy label was necessary due to the lack of interest. In search of greater creative control, 112 left Bad Boy Records in February 2002 and signed with Def Jam in July on their Def Soul-imprint, insisting that the breakup was amicable. They reiterated this no-hard-feelings attitude by going to Daddy's House to record a debut album for Def Jam. Disagreements remained over ownership rights to the 112 catalog of songs.

112  fourth album Hot & Wet, the Def Jam debut disc, was waylaid as a result, while negotiations ensued between Lyor Cohen of Def Jam and Bad Boy owner Combs. With both sides ultimately in agreement, Hot & Wet appeared in November 2003, with its title song breaking into Billboard 's Hot 100 and the Rhythmic Top 40 that year. In 2004 the album charted on the Billboard 200 and peaked at number four on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. The album however failed to make any noticeable impression on the charts. From the album they released "Na, Na, Na" featuring Dancehall legend Supercat.

Pleasure & Pain, the group's fifth album, was released in 2005, eventually reaching platinum status and featuring the popular single "U Already Know." The album is their first to come with a parental advisory sticker, reportedly caused by a rap from Three 6 Mafia though a few songs on the album also contain profanity. Shortly after the release of the album though and amidst rumors of issues regarding money, the members separated to pursue solo careers and were subsequently dropped by Def Jam.

In 2007, 112 formed their own label One Twelve Music Group and were in talks with a joint venture deal with Irv Gotti's The Inc. Records-imprint to release an album in 2008. The group continued to tour nationally and worldwide, whilst they embarked on their own solo projects. Daron Jones was reported to have left the group to pursue a solo career in 2007. However in 2008, he was seen performing with the group again while overseas in Germany and Belgium.

Slim is featured along with Three 6 Mafia on 8Ball & MJG's second single "Cruzin'" off of their album "Ridin High". He has signed his own label deal with Asylum/Atlantic called M3 Productions Inc. and released his solo debut album Love's Crazy in November 2008. He released his first single called "So Fly" featuring Yung Joc and Shawty Lo.

In an interview with MiddleChildPromotions, Q. Parker confirmed that his debut album is entitled "Real Talk" and is due for release in September 2008. He was in the studio working with Tim & Bob, The Pirates, Jammy, Bryan-Michael Cox, The Platinum Brothers and Crystal Johnson. The album will be released under a joint-venture between his own label NewFam Entertainment and Drift City Records. The first single off the album is called "Crazy Crazy" and it features Rock City.

Michael Keith decided to leave 112 and go solo. He stated that a former groupmate stole his, and member Slim's, money, causing the two to leave. Slim however states that he never fell out with anyone over money and is still with 112.

The group now consists of members Q, Slim, and Daron. Mike said his business partner showed him that he wasn't receiving his royalty checks and that he needed to sue either Q or Daron. Q said that he respects Michael Keith as a man but wishes he would not put false rumors out in public. Mike says that his personal relationships with the other three members are good but business wise he can't deal with them anymore. Q, Slim, and Daron have been performing without him overseas in Australia, France, and Germany.

Mike released his debut solo album, Michael Keith, on September 30, 2008 as a digital download through iTunes and Amazon MP3. He also released two songs "She's My Superstar" and "Sexy" under the pseudonym "Dangerus" via the internet. In 2010, Michael Keith has reconciled with the other three members of 112 and will record with the group on their sixth studio album planned for release in 2010.

In January 2011, Q Parker released a 12-month fitness calendar, and announced that his solo project will be released sometime this year. In March 2012, Daron confirmed that all 4 members of the group reconciled and have gotten back together. He and Mike entered the recording studio together to make new music as Daron & Mike of 112 while Q & Slim focused on their own careers.

 October 2012 Q Parker released his solo project The Manual.

A reunion tour featuring all 4 112 members Q, Mike, Slim, & Daron is set to begin in June 2012.