Slim (112)

History has a way of repeating itself, so hearing the name “Slim of 112” shouldn’t come as a surprise especially since he’s attained a memorable reputation for having a distinctively smooth voice. Honestly, there’s no need for an introduction because after 12 years in the music industry spotlight as the lead singer of multi-platinum selling group 112, what else is there to say. Long before fellow ATL native "The Dream" made it into a song, Slim's high falsetto voice gave 112 a sleek dapper sound that appealed to mainstream audiences.

Before the group stepped on the scene in 1996 with their first single, “Only You”, the four high-school friends that originally called themselves “Forte” hit a few bumps in the road before fate landed them in front of Club 112 in Atlanta to audition in the parking lot for P. Diddy. He would go on to sign them and throughout the ‘90s and 00, they achieved four platinum albums, posted eight chart topping records and garnished two Grammy nominations that cemented them as a bonafied R&B group. As the face of the group, Marvin “Slim” Scandrick was influential in setting the tone for the group.

Drawing the comparisons in style to that of legendary singer Smokey Robinson is something that he’s heard throughout his life. “Family members used to say it all the time,” he says. Growing up, his mom used to play classic tracks like “The Tears of a Clown” á la The Miracles and “Cruisin” around him all the time, thus it wouldn’t take long before that influence coupled with the indistinguishable sounds of Babyface and El DeBarge, would have him wanting to be a singer and songwriter. Keeping pace in the same manner that Robinson helped pen the sound of Motown as a singer, writer and producer, Slim is hoping to accomplish the same success with his new label called M3 Productions.

Since the last 112 album in 2005, Slim has stayed busy dropping music via internet as a way to measure fan response. This test would play a valuable key in helping to determine his decision to do a solo album. Although the idea of lead - singers branching off on a solo career isn’t anything new, Slim never had any plans to do so, but as CEO, he wanted to insure that M3 Productions got off to a great start. Slim says, “It’s easier than just starting all over and trying to work somebody brand new. I want to do build equity into my company and that will allow it to roll a little faster - then I’ll be able to go back and reach back for others.”

Slim’s energy and focus today are a far cry from his earlier thoughts of leaving music behind all together, but it was his love of music and the fans that inspired him to make his debut album titled “Love’s Crazy,” due out September 9th on his imprint via Asylum Records. As the first R&B artist at Asylum, no one was more pleased to make this happen than the labels President Todd Moscowitz. “I was thrilled to be able to work with someone that I’ve been a fan of for some time,” he says.

Love’s Crazy gives the 8 time ASCAP Award recipient the green light to define for the fans why love is so crazy and how to remedy the insanity by asserting the action to push play and digesting his message. “With this album I’m not really highlighting problems, I’m bringing solutions. It’s one of those types of albums were you’re in a situation and you’re with a special someone and you ain’t really gotta say too much you know. You just stick in the Slim’s Love’s Crazy CD and let the music do the talking.” In helping to make the album hot, he’s gathered producers the Designated Hitters, hot newcomers Outbreak from Atlanta, Hip-Hop producer Midnight Black, Monte, Polo Da Don, Sean Garrett, the Track Masters and ODDZ n ENDZ that produced the first single “So Fly” featuring Shawty Lo and Yung Joc. The all-star casts of producers compliment the other guest artists that include: Gucci Mane, C-Murder, Slim Thug, UGK, 8Ball & MJG and Faith Evans.

Slim is determined to continue moving towards the future and keep making history. He’s shared the stage and billing with many, but his vision to be a building block in the growth of his own future speaks volumes about his passion, creativity and intelligence. Slim provides a great example, that when you have “Great dreams with an ideal plan to achieve them, all things are possible."

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