112, Ginuwine, and Case

The beginnings of the band 112 can be traced to the members meeting at high school. Daron Jones, Michael Keith & Reginald Finley sang together while Jones & Keith were in middle school & Finley was in high school. A close friend of Finley's, Aldon Lagon was recognised for his deep bass voice and added to the line up along with high tenor vocalist Marvin Scandrick who the boys sang with in the school chorus. They changed their name to 112 after a move to New York in 1996, before this they were performing at local events as Forte.

They recorded their debut album in 1996 and it was released in late August to moderate chart success in the US. It peaked at #37 on the US Billboard Charts and has now sold over two million copies in the States achieving double platinum certification. Their rise to fame really began in the following year when two of the singles from second album 'Room 112' charted within the top 20 of the US charts and 'Love Me' was certified as gold selling.

The band had the incredible opportunity to support Whitney Houston on the 'My Love Is Your Love Tour' in the summer of 1999 whilst promoting their first record, understandably their fan base grew substantially. The group's third albu, 'Part III' was released in 2001 and including the hit 'Peaches & Cream' which earned the group their first Grammy nomination in the Best R&B Group or Duo category. It received a lot of radio publicity ahead of the release and charted at #2 on the US chart, which still remains the band's highest chart placing to date. The band then got another fantastic deal supporting another renowned R & B vocalist, this time it was Janet Jackson on her U.S 'All for You' World Tour.

The band released two albums on Def Jam after a split with long term record label Bad Boy. In 2008 Michael Keith decided to leave 112 and go solo before reconciling with the group in 2010. The 'For The Fans' Tour which kicked off in the summer of 2012 and is still going to date, there are no signs of a new album release yet.

R&B artist, Ginuwine became friends with many musicians who were highly regarded in the rap and R&B industry, who subsequently led him on the path to success. These people included the likes of Missy Elliot and Timbaland, these turned out to become his principal collaborators throughout the 1990s.

Timbaland and Ginuwine worked well together and this was made evident through Ginuwine's first single, titled "Pony". It showcased his charming and smooth vocals together with Timbaland's original production flair. Interestingly, "Pony" proved to be a hit and was used in the film, 2007’s Wild Hogs, and also used in the video game Grand Theft Auto IV in 2008.

However, after the success of Ginuwine’s second album, the duo grew apart. Much to the enjoyment of producers R. Kelly, who helped Ginuwine from then, producing hit after hit.

Ginuwine has achieved great success, this was proved in 2001 when he had a number-four hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with the single "Differences", which also peaked at number-one on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. Just a year later however, the musician’s parents both passed away. This encouraged him to write and produce more sombre songs from the heart, such as , “Two Reasons I Cry".

Born on October 4, Case Woodward grew up in New York City, New York, US listening to R&B legends like Smokey Robinson and Luther Vandross and striving to reach the success achieved by his influential peers Babyface and Mat J. Blige. Case started his music career performing in various R&B groups like Future and Black and progressed towards an occupation as a back up singer, working for pop mainstays such as Usher, Christopher Williams, and AI B. Sure. Case’s hard work behind the scenes finally earned him the opportunity to act as a solo artist. His first single was written by soul diva Faith Evans. The track grabbed the attention of Def Jam Records, eventually leading him into a recording contract with the label.

Case was shuttled into mainstream success with some of his earliest recordings. His single “Touch Me, Tease Me”, which featured appearances by rapper Foxy Brown and singer Mary J. Blige landed on the popular soundtrack to “The Nutty Professor”. The album entered the US Billboard 200 at No. 63 and the R&B Charts at No. 4. His self-titled debut also included this single as well as the hits “More to Love” and “I Gotcha”. The album shot to No. 7 on the R&B Charts and featured material primarily written by Mary J. Blige.

His next album Personal Conversation” went platinum and contained the 3 singles “Happily Ever After” (feat. Beyonce Knowles), “Faded Pictures” (feat. Joe) and “Think of You”. 2001 marked the release of his 3rd and most successful album to date “Open Letter”. The album was his first to reach gold status, though “Personal Conversation” would eventually go on to do so as well. This release contained the R&B chart topping single “Missing You”, which acted as a major commercial boost for the album, pushing it all the way to No. 5 on the US albums chart.

2009’s “The Rose Experience” did not do as well as “Open Letter” on the US charts; however, it matched it’s success on the R&B charts peaking at No. 2. The album was produced by Case and was self-released through his personal label Indigo Blue. Wu-tang member Ghostface appeared as a guest rapper on the track “Shoulda Known Betta”. Case’s follow up album “Here, My Love” came out on 15 June 2010 through Real Talk Entertainment.