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Join FRP TV this Wednesday June 15th at 7PM as we welcome the one and only Slim of the hit R&B group 112 and former Bad Boy Records artist. Tune in to hear the latest on Slim and keep it lock for an exclusive performance of his new hit record. This is going down LIVE only on FRP TV.
About Slim:
SLIM, LEAD VOCALIST OF PLATINUM-SELLING GROUP 112, LAUNCHES SECOND SOLO ALBUM; “RE-FUELED” FEATURES HOT RAPPER RICH HOMIE QUAN ON DEBUT SINGLE
Platinum-selling R & B vocal group 112 has been one of the most successful male vocal groups of the past 20 years, all of their five albums to date going gold or platinum. Yet their legions of fans have been left hungry for new music as they have not released a new album since 2005’s PLEASURE & PAIN. From their 1996 breakthrough as protégés of Bad Boy Records honcho Puffy Combs nee’ P. Diddy through to their thrilling live concerts today, the most identifiable element of the 112 sound has been the voice of lead vocalist Slim. Indeed he was the first member of the group to launch a solo career, scoring the hits “So Fly” (w/ Yung Joc) and “Good Lovin’” in 2008 during a 112 hiatus. On May 15, 2016, the devotion of 112’s fans will be rewarded by the release of REFUELED, Slim’s long-awaited second solo album, his label debut for Shanachie Entertainment. Featuring such guests as hot, upcoming rapper Rich Homie Quan on the first single “Never Break Up”, and former Bad Boy labelmate Mase, as well as production by Partrick “Guitarboy” , ( Keyshia Cole, Tank) and others, RE-FUELED is a state-of-the-art statement of contemporary R & B which represents the next step in the evolution of Slim as a distinctive talent on the popular music scene.
“Life was my A & R,” Slim notes when asked why it took so long for his second album to manifest. “I wanted to make sure that when I came back with new music that I knew what it stood for…and that I’d be happy to sing all the songs on the album and protect the legacy of 112 as well as make the fans happy.”
Much of that evolution was sparked by Slim’s wide-ranging listening habits as well as the changing landscape of popular music.
“The album is eclectic but classic, “ Slim says. “Everyone from age 8 to 80 can enjoy it. I stretched myself out and that reflects who I’ve been listening to, not just R & B and hip-hop but country, jazz and more pop. Where you see growth happening, it affects you. I listen to everything from Amigos to Adele to Rascal Flatts. I mean, Adele is pop but she’s very soulful. And The Weeknd two years ago was underground and now he’s mainstream..”
For instance, the song “Ready To Fall” may surprise longtime fans.
“That is a great example of a reflection of what I was listening to. When I first heard it I was personally drawn to the song. When you first listen to it, it is kind of a pop record but no matter what a record sounds like it is R & B to me; R & B is a lifestyle and a feeling. And it was healing to me. I had gone through some things and I had lost faith in love. Every time I play this song it makes me feel better.”
Much of the album though delivers an up-to-the-minute version of the hip-hop-inflected R & B that has been a hallmark of Slim’s previous solo work and of 112’s music. The first single, “Never Break Up”, for instance is R & B but features hot new rapper Rich Homie Quan.
“I listened to how people are presenting R & B and I wanted to bring more positive content, “ Slim says of “Never Break Up”. “The producers and the tracks are the same as what other people are doing but the content is more positive. My whole album is very positive and maybe more subtle than what is out there. You can say something without saying it outright.”
“Quan is like my little brother; he’s from Atlanta and we all have connections in the music community. As soon as I heard this track I felt he was the right one to guest on it and it was easy to reach out to him. He loved the track and just did his part on his own, right away. I really appreciate Quan and his whole crew.”
Despite his continuing role performing with 112, Slim is very committed to developing his career and creativity as a solo artist . There are many good singers on the scene but Slim is one of a small handful who has an instantly recognizable vocal sound and style. Because his voice is such an identifiable part of 112’s sound, it can be a challenge to give his solo work a distinct identity.
“I balance my solo career with my 112 career by knowing what makes the equation of 112 work, “Slim explains. “One good thing about 112 is that 112 dominates their tracks with backgrounds. So I don’t do something that resembles that. How I talk, how lyrics are worded, the track has to move me in a certain way and I make it more presentative of my voice.”
Melvin “Slim” Scandrick was born in 1978 in Atlanta George. His mother was a preacher (PLEASE GIVE DETAIL OR TWO ABOUT MOTHER AND/OR FATHER OR HOME LIFE). 112 came together when several high school students in Atlanta came together to sing under the name Forte’. Soon they met high tenor singer Slim and recruited him. The group solidified as a quartet composed of Michael Keith, Daron Jones, Quinnes “Q” Parker and Slim around 1993. Performing locally in Atlanta, they created a buzz that eventually resulted in an audition for Sean “Puffy” Combs, founder of Bad Boy Records, producer Chucky Thompson, and artists Faith Hill and Usher which resulted in a recording contract with Bad Boy. The debut album, released in 1996, went double platinum, spawning such hits as “Only You” and “Cupid” which made their mark not only on the R & B charts but also the pop charts. The group, relocated to New York City, toured widely with Puff Daddy & The Family, Keith Sweat, New Edition and, eventually, the likes of Janet Jackson and Whitney Houston. They also appeared on hits by The Notorious B.I.G., Puff Daddy (his epic “I’ll Be Missing You”, which netted them a Grammy) and Mase. More hits followed including “Come See Me”, “Love Me” featuring Mase and “Anywhere”, leading to the double platinum-selling album ROOM 112. In 2001 their PART III album spawned their single “It’s Over Now” which hit #1 on Billboard’s Hot R & B/Hip Hop Songs chart and then their the massive hit “Peaches & Cream”, which garnered them a Grammy nomination in the Best R & B Group or Duo category. With Puffy Combs distracted by various business and legal issues, the group parted ways amicably with Bad Boy and moved to Def Jam which released their HOT & WET album in 2003, which yielded the hit “Na, Na, Na” with dancehall star Supercat. In 2005 they scored the hit “U Already Know” which led to the release of their fifth album PLEASURE & PAIN, another Platinum seller. At this point members of 112 decided to pursue solo careers and the group went on hiatus, Slim having the first solo release with hit single “So Fly” and subsequent album LOVE’S CRAZY in 2008; Q Parker followed with a solo album in 2012. 112 reunited after a hiatus and resumed touring. Though there has been much talk of a new 112 album, to date that prospect has not been fulfilled. With a Bad Boy Reunion tour looming, 112 continues to be a top concert attraction. Meanwhile, the release of Slim’s RE-FUELED album will be welcomed by 112’s legions of fans.
“I named the album RE-FUELED because I wanted it to be positive, not come out negative in any way,” Slim says. “It reflects where I’m at in my life now. Folks who rock with 112, they can feel where I am and where I’m going!”
Video:
About Slim:
SLIM, LEAD VOCALIST OF PLATINUM-SELLING GROUP 112, LAUNCHES SECOND SOLO ALBUM; “RE-FUELED” FEATURES HOT RAPPER RICH HOMIE QUAN ON DEBUT SINGLE
Platinum-selling R & B vocal group 112 has been one of the most successful male vocal groups of the past 20 years, all of their five albums to date going gold or platinum. Yet their legions of fans have been left hungry for new music as they have not released a new album since 2005’s PLEASURE & PAIN. From their 1996 breakthrough as protégés of Bad Boy Records honcho Puffy Combs nee’ P. Diddy through to their thrilling live concerts today, the most identifiable element of the 112 sound has been the voice of lead vocalist Slim. Indeed he was the first member of the group to launch a solo career, scoring the hits “So Fly” (w/ Yung Joc) and “Good Lovin’” in 2008 during a 112 hiatus. On May 15, 2016, the devotion of 112’s fans will be rewarded by the release of REFUELED, Slim’s long-awaited second solo album, his label debut for Shanachie Entertainment. Featuring such guests as hot, upcoming rapper Rich Homie Quan on the first single “Never Break Up”, and former Bad Boy labelmate Mase, as well as production by Partrick “Guitarboy” , ( Keyshia Cole, Tank) and others, RE-FUELED is a state-of-the-art statement of contemporary R & B which represents the next step in the evolution of Slim as a distinctive talent on the popular music scene.
“Life was my A & R,” Slim notes when asked why it took so long for his second album to manifest. “I wanted to make sure that when I came back with new music that I knew what it stood for…and that I’d be happy to sing all the songs on the album and protect the legacy of 112 as well as make the fans happy.”
Much of that evolution was sparked by Slim’s wide-ranging listening habits as well as the changing landscape of popular music.
“The album is eclectic but classic, “ Slim says. “Everyone from age 8 to 80 can enjoy it. I stretched myself out and that reflects who I’ve been listening to, not just R & B and hip-hop but country, jazz and more pop. Where you see growth happening, it affects you. I listen to everything from Amigos to Adele to Rascal Flatts. I mean, Adele is pop but she’s very soulful. And The Weeknd two years ago was underground and now he’s mainstream..”
For instance, the song “Ready To Fall” may surprise longtime fans.
“That is a great example of a reflection of what I was listening to. When I first heard it I was personally drawn to the song. When you first listen to it, it is kind of a pop record but no matter what a record sounds like it is R & B to me; R & B is a lifestyle and a feeling. And it was healing to me. I had gone through some things and I had lost faith in love. Every time I play this song it makes me feel better.”
Much of the album though delivers an up-to-the-minute version of the hip-hop-inflected R & B that has been a hallmark of Slim’s previous solo work and of 112’s music. The first single, “Never Break Up”, for instance is R & B but features hot new rapper Rich Homie Quan.
“I listened to how people are presenting R & B and I wanted to bring more positive content, “ Slim says of “Never Break Up”. “The producers and the tracks are the same as what other people are doing but the content is more positive. My whole album is very positive and maybe more subtle than what is out there. You can say something without saying it outright.”
“Quan is like my little brother; he’s from Atlanta and we all have connections in the music community. As soon as I heard this track I felt he was the right one to guest on it and it was easy to reach out to him. He loved the track and just did his part on his own, right away. I really appreciate Quan and his whole crew.”
Despite his continuing role performing with 112, Slim is very committed to developing his career and creativity as a solo artist . There are many good singers on the scene but Slim is one of a small handful who has an instantly recognizable vocal sound and style. Because his voice is such an identifiable part of 112’s sound, it can be a challenge to give his solo work a distinct identity.
“I balance my solo career with my 112 career by knowing what makes the equation of 112 work, “Slim explains. “One good thing about 112 is that 112 dominates their tracks with backgrounds. So I don’t do something that resembles that. How I talk, how lyrics are worded, the track has to move me in a certain way and I make it more presentative of my voice.”
Melvin “Slim” Scandrick was born in 1978 in Atlanta George. His mother was a preacher (PLEASE GIVE DETAIL OR TWO ABOUT MOTHER AND/OR FATHER OR HOME LIFE). 112 came together when several high school students in Atlanta came together to sing under the name Forte’. Soon they met high tenor singer Slim and recruited him. The group solidified as a quartet composed of Michael Keith, Daron Jones, Quinnes “Q” Parker and Slim around 1993. Performing locally in Atlanta, they created a buzz that eventually resulted in an audition for Sean “Puffy” Combs, founder of Bad Boy Records, producer Chucky Thompson, and artists Faith Hill and Usher which resulted in a recording contract with Bad Boy. The debut album, released in 1996, went double platinum, spawning such hits as “Only You” and “Cupid” which made their mark not only on the R & B charts but also the pop charts. The group, relocated to New York City, toured widely with Puff Daddy & The Family, Keith Sweat, New Edition and, eventually, the likes of Janet Jackson and Whitney Houston. They also appeared on hits by The Notorious B.I.G., Puff Daddy (his epic “I’ll Be Missing You”, which netted them a Grammy) and Mase. More hits followed including “Come See Me”, “Love Me” featuring Mase and “Anywhere”, leading to the double platinum-selling album ROOM 112. In 2001 their PART III album spawned their single “It’s Over Now” which hit #1 on Billboard’s Hot R & B/Hip Hop Songs chart and then their the massive hit “Peaches & Cream”, which garnered them a Grammy nomination in the Best R & B Group or Duo category. With Puffy Combs distracted by various business and legal issues, the group parted ways amicably with Bad Boy and moved to Def Jam which released their HOT & WET album in 2003, which yielded the hit “Na, Na, Na” with dancehall star Supercat. In 2005 they scored the hit “U Already Know” which led to the release of their fifth album PLEASURE & PAIN, another Platinum seller. At this point members of 112 decided to pursue solo careers and the group went on hiatus, Slim having the first solo release with hit single “So Fly” and subsequent album LOVE’S CRAZY in 2008; Q Parker followed with a solo album in 2012. 112 reunited after a hiatus and resumed touring. Though there has been much talk of a new 112 album, to date that prospect has not been fulfilled. With a Bad Boy Reunion tour looming, 112 continues to be a top concert attraction. Meanwhile, the release of Slim’s RE-FUELED album will be welcomed by 112’s legions of fans.
“I named the album RE-FUELED because I wanted it to be positive, not come out negative in any way,” Slim says. “It reflects where I’m at in my life now. Folks who rock with 112, they can feel where I am and where I’m going!”
Video:
