In the latest battle on Verzuz, Jagged Edge and 112 faced off to determine who has the better hits catalog. Both groups have been prolific and their contributions to the R&B genre are second to none, so this was a battle that many nostalgic fans were looking forward to. Unfortunately, it was plagued with audio issues and, although people were able to still enjoy themselves and celebrate the culture, jokes came flying once the stream ended.
Since the beginning of the Verzuz series, musicians have been experiencing technical difficulties galore. Perhaps things hit a peak during the face-off between Babyface and Teddy Riley, which needed to be restarted completely. Jagged Edge and 112's battle wasn't nearly as bad as that but they definitely could have found a better sound system -- specifically on Jagged Edge's side.
The majority of memes and jokes flying across social media are clowning Jagged Edge for seemingly playing their songs through a walkie talkie. While that much is a gag, the sound quality was not as pristine as we would have hoped. Perhaps this was the way things were always meant to be. After all, both groups were dominating music in the 90s and 00s, which puts us back in the dial-up era. Maybe they were just trying to mimic that era.
What did you think of the battle? Were you underwhelmed by the audio or did you make it through fine?
112 Brings Out Keith Sweat During "Verzuz" Battle With Jagged Edge
112 and Jagged Edge had viewers reminiscing on some of their favorite R&B jams, and Keith Sweat even made an appearance.
It was an all-out R&B party on Instagram Live this evening (May 25). For Memorial Day Weekend, Swizz Beatz and Timbaland decided to hold two Verzuz battles, first kicking things off with Beenie Man and Bounty Killer, and later with 112 and Jagged Edge. The latter saw the Bad Boy and So So Def quartets facing off with some of their favorite hits, and hundreds of thousands of people tuned in to groove to catch some "Quarantine & Chill" vibes.
Frederick M. Brown / Stringer / Getty Images
Songs included favorites like "Let's Get Married (Remix)" featuring Jermaine Dupri and Loon (JE), "Peaches & Cream" (112), "All Cried Out" with Allure (112), "He Can't Love You" (JE), "Cupid" (112), "Where the Party At" featuring Nelly (JE) and many more. Stevie J, 2 Chainz, Tory Lanez, Tamar Braxton, Lena Waithe, Troy Ave, Tank, Ja Rule, The-Dream, Monica, Kyla Pratt, Snoop Dogg, Teddy Riley, Papoose, Ludacris, Questlove, Sevyn, N.O.R.E., Fabolous, Jadakiss, The Game, Bun B, Lance Gross, Keri Hilson, Ne-Yo, and so many more tuned in to celebrate R&B. While there were a few sound issues pertaining to low volumes and static here and there, it was great to see the two groups—sans Daron Jones and Q Parker from 112—complimenting each other on 20 years in the music industry.
At one point, 112 pulled in a surprise guest and it was none other than Keith Sweat himself. Viewers were begging for a Keith Sweat interlude so that everyone could hear "Twisted" just one time, but instead, 112 played Sweat's favorite song by them titled "Player." We've pulled together some clips of the event as well as some reactions, so check it all out below.
112 Members Daron Jones & Q Parker Will Not Participate In Jagged Edge "Verzuz"
112 member Daron Jones wrote an open letter saying he and Q Parker won’t be participating in the upcoming Jagged Edge “Verzuz” due to an in-group legal issue.
Fans are hyped to watch classic R&B groups collide on Verzuz this upcoming Monday (May 25), but there may be a couple of members missing. Hoping to encourage people to stay home and safe this Memorial Day, Verzuz bosses Swizz Beatz and Timbaland have announced that a battle is going down between two R&B favorites: Bad Boy’s 112 and So So Def’s Jagged Edge. However, we’ve previously reported on the legal issues going on between the members of 112, and it seems that the case is preventing two of the four group members from making an appearance on Verzuz.
Isaac Brekken / Stringer / Getty Images
According to Daron Jones, he nor Q Parker will be participating in the upcoming Instagram Live series. The singer wrote an open letter to fans and supporters where he thanked everyone for the love. “It Is incredible and we appreciate how much of your heart and souls you have poured into our careers,” Daron wrote. “But unfortunately we will not be participating in the upcoming Verzuz with Jagged Edge due to an ongoing legal issue that is not settled.”
He added that it is a “fabricated lie” that he and Q quit the group. “In due time, you will receive the true narrative,” Daron continued. “Until then, we love you and thank you again for your continued support.” Read his message in full below.
Swizz Beatz & Timbaland Plan Possible Jagged Edge & 112 "Verzuz"
Swizz Beatz & Timbaland discussed the possibility of having 112 and Jagged Edge on “Verzuz,” but they’re just waiting on Jermaine Dupri to “make that happen.”
Are we about to watch quartets from Bad Boy and So So Def go hit-for-hit? These Verzuz battles have certainly been a cornerstone of entertainment during this COVID-19 pandemic. As we’ve been quarantined at home, Swizz Beatz and Timbaland have managed to craft a formidable business from Instagram Live. The “Stay Home” ordinances have become “Safer At Home” orders as governments worldwide are lifting their quarantine laws, but Verzuz has still managed to be the at-home concerts that hip hop and R&B fans have desperately needed.
In recent weeks we’ve watched Erykah Badu and Jill Scott heal our souls with a few of their noteworthy tracks yanked from their catalogs, and just this past weekend, Nelly and Ludacris had folks jamming to their award-winning songs. While many R&B fans have been waiting on Brandy and Monica to share a Verzuz session, Brandy recently revealed that Monica turned down the opportunity. So, it’s time for Swizz and Timbaland to chat about who’s up next, and the conversation has shifted to Bad Boy’s 112 versus So So Def’s Jagged Edge.
“Get ’em on the phone [Jermaine Dupri], let’s make that happen,” said Swizz Beatz in a video. Timbaland chimed in, “Come on now, don’t play no games.” Tyrese and Keyshia Cole didn’t hesitate to share their enthusiasm in the comment section, but Swizz came through to update that he’s still waiting for Dupri’s call. Check out the clip below and swipe through to take a look at the two group’s radio hits. Meanwhile, while we know these Verzuz battles are really “celebrations of music,” who do you think would take the crown when it comes to Jagged Edge vs. 112?
Brandy, Amina Buddafly, Q. Parker, & Others Come Together For "HealTheWorldChallenge"
Brandy, Q. Parker, and Amina Buddafly join two dozen other singers who belt out Michael Jackson's "Heal The World" for charity.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused tens of millions of people's lives to come to a screeching halt. Jobs are being furloughed, people are being laid off, parents are finding themselves homeschooling their children for the first time, and there's no telling when kids will be allowed to return to school. Government officials are doing their best to have life return to some sense of normalcy, but it's clear that whatever comes out of this pandemic will be the "new normal."
View this post on InstagramTo help spread a little love and light during this time, dozens of singers have joined together to sing Michael Jackson's megahit "Heal The World." The collaboration features a special appearance by the late icon's nephew TJ Jackson as well as platinum-selling artists Brandy, Deborah Cox, Chrisette Michele, Cece Peniston, Chante Moore, and Q. Parker of 112. Other participants include Traci Braxton, Amina Buddafly, Oli, Avery Wilson, Dondria, Stevie Mackey, Brian Angel of Day 26, Carvena, Lydia Caesar, Devin Velez, Tre Burwell, Sleeping Sunset, Amber Claire, Brave Williams, J. Brown, Heidi Jutras, Antonique Smith, Jawan Jackson, and NBDY.
The "HealTheWorldChallenge" is aimed to help No Kid Hungry, according to Silent, the creator of TrueExclusives and producer of the Heal the World video. Listen to these powerhouse vocalists do Michael Jackson proud in the #HealTheWorldChallenge.
Q Parker Reveals Jermaine Dupri, Teddy Riley, & Dallas Austin Rejected 112
Q Parker remembers those 112 days when the group was one of the biggest acts in the world as Bad Boy artists.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, 112’s was one of the reigning R&B groups. The Bad Boy Records quartet was one of the biggest singing groups in the world at the time with hits like “Only You” with Mase and Notorious B.I.G, “Anywhere” with Lil’ Zane, “Peaches & Cream,” “Cupid,” and “It’s Over Now.” Like many other singing groups of music history’s past, 112 eventually disbanded over personal differences, but Q Parker sat down with TV One for Life + Lyrics to chat about what it was like in 112’s heyday.
Leon Bennett / Stringer / Getty Images“Being signed to Bad Boy was a dream come true,” Q recalled. “It was sort of like, our gift, because all we watched were Boyz II Men, Jodeci, Take 6. So when we finally put our group together it was like, that’s gonna be us one day. Jermaine Dupri passed on us, Dallas Austin passed on us, Teddy Riley passed on 112.”
Then, the R&B group got their big break. “Here comes Puffy who had this edge about him,” said Q. “I believe the gift for us was we were supposed to sign with Bad Boy because he brought an element out of us that I don’t know would have been brought out of us had we signed to those other executives. We would’ve still been the balladeers and the crooners and all of that, but Bad Boy gave us like—we were the guys you could take home to mom, but we were the guys mom want you to stay away from. We had a nice blend of bad boy but church boy, too.”
He said Bad Boy’s era from 1194-2004 is something that is etched into R&B and hip hop history. “And you can’t mention that era, and the dominance of that era, without mentioning 112,” he said. Q added that the group met Diddy outside of the nightclub 112 and they sang for him on the spot. They soon became the fourth artist to sign to Bad Boy.
Check out Q Parker talk about his Bad Boy memories, his relationship with Diddy now, and why he’ll always show the hip hop mogul love.
Quavo To Judge "Making The Band" Atlanta Auditions
Quavo and 112 are joining Monica and Quality Control’s Pee Thomas and Coach K as judges for the Atlanta auditions of Diddy’s “Making The Band” reboot.
Quavo and 112’s Mike and Slim will serve as judges for the Making The Band auditions in Atlanta, along with Monica and Quality Control’s Pierre “Pee” Thomas and Kevin “Coach K” Lee. Casting auditions for the reboot, which Diddy officially announced last July, will commence this weekend, beginning in Atlanta on Friday, February 28th at Center Stage Theater. While the official Making The Band’s social media accounts have confirmed that Mike and Slim will be joining the ranks of Monica, Pee, and Coach K, according to TMZ‘s production sources, fellow Atlanta native Quavo will also be partaking in the judging process to help find the next R&B supergroup.
Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images
Hopeful talent will audition in front of these celebrity guests as well as the “Combs Cartel”—which includes Diddy and his sons Quincy, Christian, and Justin. The open casting call will take place on Friday from 10:00am-6:00pm, with callbacks scheduled for Saturday by invitation only. Once the Atlanta auditions are complete, the Combs Cartel will head over to Houston and then to Charlotte, where DaBaby will serve as a judge alongside the famous father and sons to evaluate North Carolina’s budding talent. New York auditions will then take place from March 21st-22nd.
Lil Zane Reflects On Rejecting Diddy’s Deal & Why Rap Career Faded
Lil Zane gained international fame as a feature on 112’s hit track “Anywhere,” but the rapper wasn’t able to maintain his career’s longevity.
Do you remember Lil Zane? Twenty years ago, the rapper was a teenager who had just released his debut album Young World: The Future. His hit single “Callin Me” featuring 112 topped the charts, and his music industry future looked promising. He’d soon collaborate with the likes of Tank, Lil Scrappy, Jacob Latimore, Shawty Lo, and many others, but Zane mysteriously disappeared from the limelight.
Nick Elgar / Staff / Getty ImagesZane made waves when he appeared on 112’s “Anywhere” and received his first plaque for a hit song, but in his recent feature for BET’s Finding BET series, the rapper admitted to turning down a deal from Diddy. According to Zane, his manager was launching a label and because they had a close relationship, he decided to stick with the team he knew instead of inking a deal with Bad Boy Records. “I think that Diddy respected that,” Zane said, adding with a laugh, “Don’t make stupid decisions when you grow up, kids. Don’t make decisions with your heart, make them with your mind.”
The rapper also shared a story about collaborating with Bow Wow, Sammie, and Lil Wayne on the 2001 single “Hardball.” During the music video shoot, Zane and Bow Wow had a bit of a tiff when they both wanted to wear the same Atlanta jersey, but Zane explained that they were young with egos and now they’ve put the past behind them.
Ultimately, Zane accused his label of sabotaging his career. He said he would be at a record store for an album signing but there were no copies of his album at the location. He also reportedly worked on projects and songs but he claims the label wouldn’t release them. He ended up taking acting jobs just to earn money to live. Zane revealed that his biggest regret was not learning the business in the early days because he found out too late that he’d been taken advantage of at the beginning of his career. Watch his full episode below.
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