The Breakfast Club – "Best Of: 112, Case & Total On The 90s R&B Generation, Biggie's Magic In Studio, Cool Vulnerability + More"

iHeartPodcasts | Air date: December 26, 2025
Guests: Mike (112), Kima & Keisha (Total), Case
Hosts: DJ Envy, Charlamagne Tha God, Jess Hilarious

Episode Overview

This special "Best Of" episode reunites '90s R&B icons from 112, Total, and Case to reflect on their enduring impact, behind-the-scenes Bad Boy magic, and the roots of R&B's hip hop crossover. Discussing their upcoming tour, creative legacies, insights on vulnerability in music, unforgettable moments with Biggie, and challenges in the music industry, the episode is a nostalgic and revealing look into the era that defined a generation.

Key Topics & Insights

1. The 30th Anniversary Room 112 Tour

• Announcement & Reunion Energy
  The groups and Case are joining forces for the 30th anniversary Room 112 tour, aiming to bring “that ’90s nostalgia” back for fans. (03:27–04:41)
• Tour Dates & Lineup
  • Tour kicks off Nov 12 (Stamford, CT), Nov 13 (Brooklyn, NY) among others.
  • Only current members are touring; some original members remain absent.

Mike (112): “We wanted to bring back that 90s nostalgia. You feel me?” (04:34)

2. Life After Hiatus

• Returning to the Stage
  Total describes coming back after years away for the “Queens of R&B” tour and finding the groove again.
• Balancing Family and Music
  Support from older kids and the muscle memory of performing made the transition smooth. (05:08–05:42)
• Maintaining Signature Moves Fans still want “those dances from the old videos.” (05:47–05:55)

3. Defining '90s R&B: Bad Boy, Hip Hop, Authenticity

• Bad Boy Era’s Culture & Grind
  Stories of the Bad Boy Records dominance, learning the grind, and club culture (e.g., The Tunnel). (06:26–07:12)
• Total’s Identity: Authentic, Street, Sexy
  Staying true to their Jersey roots & individual personalities. (06:03–06:26)
• Case at Def Jam
  Straddling hip hop culture at Def Jam as one of their only R&B acts, learning on the fly with label head Russell Simmons. (07:41–08:16)

4. Musical Legacy, Innovation & Biggie’s Genius

• Pioneering the Hip Hop/R&B Blend
  112 asserts their influence on the rise of hip hop-infused R&B, crediting Puff Daddy for encouraging “sing like you’re in the club, talking to a girl.” (10:40–12:16)
• Collaborative Studio Vibes
  Biggie and Faith Evans’ freestyle recording techniques—never writing lyrics down. (21:45–22:12)
• Creating Timeless Hits
  Case reflects on intentionally avoiding ‘trendy’ music for songs with lasting impact. (08:21–08:35)

Mike (112): “The way music sounds now—112 had a lot to do with that because no one can really give us a group that did it the way we did it before 112… singing over hip hop beats.” (10:40–11:51)

Case: “Big and Faith are the only two I’ve ever seen [not write anything down].” (21:45)

5. Stories Behind Landmarks: ‘Juicy’, ‘Can’t You See’, and Studio Sessions

• Meeting Puff & Getting Signed
  Guided by Kathy Dukes, Total auditioned for Puff with an impromptu song placing his name into it. Their energy impressed him instantly. (14:14–15:52)
• ‘Juicy’ & ‘One More Chance’
  Total’s uncredited involvement on “Juicy” and “One More Chance.” (16:02–18:33)
• Collaborative Magic
  Sessions often happened by chance, with artists hanging around Daddy’s House studios, leading to organic features and classic tracks. (40:43–41:46)

6. Vulnerability, Competition, and Changing Times

• Why Vulnerability Mattered in the 90s
  The group discusses how R&B celebrated emotion versus today’s transactional tone—citing cultural shifts, club scenes, and technology’s role in altering fan connection. (22:41–25:01)
• Studio Rivalries: Friendly Fire Healthy ego and friendly competition on tour help push everyone to their best (32:28–32:57)
• Mental Health & Industry Pressures Balancing the highs of legacy with industry demands and mental health. (35:04–36:03)
• Fan Experiences Then and Now Real-time engagement versus today’s phone-based documenting—what’s lost when everyone’s on their devices at concerts. (36:41–37:59)

7. Personal Stories and Behind-the-Scenes Tales

• Family & Upbringing Kima’s family history—from church choirs to a mother who sang backup for Aretha Franklin. Both she and her sister Vita (the rapper) charted their own distinct paths. (38:01–39:52)
• Funny & Wild Moments Case’s struggle to record “Missing You” due to illness led to the infamous “I can’t sing no more” line—captured in one take. (25:14–31:03)
• Wendy Williams Confrontation Total describes confronting Wendy Williams at a radio station after persistent rumors and negativity. (43:32–45:21)
• Missy Elliott, Omar Epps, and Cross-Artist Collaborations Missy’s early involvement around Bad Boy studios; debunking rumors about Omar Epps writing for Total. (39:42–43:14)

8. Nostalgia & Hopes for the Tour

• What They Want Fans to Feel The aim is to rekindle '90s joy, provide a “refuge” from today’s stresses, and offer pure, high energy nostalgia. (48:50–49:45)

Mike (112): “If we can give you... three hours of just being able to separate yourself from bills and these badass kids of ours—feel good just for a little while—that’s our mission.” (48:56)

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Mike (112):
  “We wanted to bring back that 90’s nostalgia. You feel me?” (04:34)
• Case:
  “I always wanted to make music my parents would listen to from 20, 30 years earlier… If I could do that, then I’d be happy, and everything else would fall in line.” (08:21)
• Keisha (Total):
  “All I wanted to do was be successful… My mom sung backup for Aretha Franklin, but [at home] it was pretty normal. She was our number one fan, but she didn’t push us into [music].” (38:13)
• Charlamagne Tha God:
  “Y’all defined not just a genre, but y’all were a soundtrack to our lives…” (19:07)
• Mike (112):
  “It was deeper than the music… It was a full blown culture, a movement.” (19:55)

Important Stories and Memorable Moments

• Biggie’s Studio Brilliance
  Both 112 and Case recall Biggie’s ability to create tracks like “I Got a Story to Tell” entirely in his head without writing—painting a vivid picture of his genius. (21:45–22:18)
• Total’s Surprise on ‘Juicy’
  Many fans (and even some hosts) were unaware that Total appeared on “Juicy”—it happened organically in the studio, not as a planned feature. (16:02–18:48)
• The Reality of 90s Stardom
  DJ Envy and guests reflect on celebrity’s relatability then versus now, noting how less media and no VIP sections made organic connection possible. (36:03–36:41)
• Wendy Williams Showdown
  After negative rumors, Total got Puff's OK to confront Williams live, ultimately ending the criticism with a memorable in-person visit. (44:02–45:21)
• Case on Vulnerability:
  “With everything going on in the world… you gotta be able to sing about something more than threesomes in the strip club.” (24:28)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [03:27] Tour announcement & 90s legacy
• [06:26] Bad Boy era stories
• [07:37] Case’s Def Jam experience
• [10:40] 112’s hip hop/R&B innovation
• [14:14] How Total met Puff
• [16:02] The making of "Juicy" and "One More Chance"
• [19:07] Did they enjoy their ’90s moment?
• [21:45] Biggie & Faith’s creative process
• [22:41] Vulnerability in R&B: then vs. now
• [31:22] Balancing egos & friendly competition
• [35:04] Mental health & industry demands
• [38:01] Kima’s family & music journey
• [43:32] The Wendy Williams incident
• [48:56] Hopes for tour/audience impact

Tone & Language

The conversation is lively, candid, and sometimes emotional, with all speakers displaying a camaraderie rooted in shared history. There’s a mix of nostalgia, honesty, and humor—especially during stories about old studio sessions, friendly tour rivalries, or wild moments on the road.

Final Thoughts

This episode captures the lasting impact of ’90s R&B, the innovation and camaraderie of the Bad Boy family, and how the genre’s culture, competition, and creative edge left an indelible mark. With the upcoming tour, the guests' passion to relive and share this magic with a new generation shines throughout the discussion.

For more*:
Catch the 30th Anniversary Room 112 tour for a dose of true 90s R&B nostalgia and unmatched energy.*