The Breakfast Club (Best Of: Jagged Edge, New Edition & Boyz II Men, 112, Total, and Case)

Date: December 26, 2025
Hosts: DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God
Podcast: The Breakfast Club (iHeartPodcasts)

Episode Overview

This special “Best Of” episode is a nostalgic celebration of 90s R&B, rounding up the legendary groups Jagged Edge, New Edition, Boyz II Men, 112, Total, and Case. As these groups head on major anniversary tours that reunite some of the era’s most iconic singers, the hosts dive into stories of music-making, careers, rivalries, and the magic—and challenges—of keeping a group together. From hilarious behind-the-scenes moments to reflections on brotherhood, legacy, and industry changes, this episode is packed with insight and feel-good memories for lovers of classic R&B.

Key Segments & Highlights

1. Listener Call-In Segment: “Get It Off Your Chest”

[08:30 – 25:00]

Listeners call in to share everything from birthday shout-outs to jokes about “musty” Uber passengers and candid commentary on body image and celebrities “getting their bodies done.”

Notable Moment:

• Mello: “You can't be out here with the stomach of John Cena and the chest of Coilerae.” (13:45)
• Taisha (on loss and hope): “Just for those who do have grandparents and parents and husbands, just love them to the best of your ability because life is definitely short. … After COVID, life is really, really shorter than what we expect it to be.” (21:20)

2. Jagged Edge Interview

[25:30 – 01:00:00]

Formation and Group Dynamic

• Jagged Edge recounts how the group formed in Atlanta, linking up at a church picnic and eventually being managed by Kandi Burruss.
• Unique among R&B groups, Jagged Edge never broke up. “We like each other … Brothers is the one that be fighting. We be on the same page.” (26:31)

Industry Stories & Atlantan Connections

• Kandi got them their first deal; Tiny (of Xscape) helped connect them to Jermaine Dupri, their key producer and mentor.
• “She got us a deal. So she was our first manager. … She get to the money and the business side, though.” (32:10)

Creative Process & Longevity

• Jermaine Dupri’s influence: “Jermaine is why we are writers and producers. … We figured out how to make beats ourselves… He took a chance with us, man.” (35:00)
• On hits like “Let’s Get Married” and “Promise”: “We definitely wanted to have a career that was filled with longevity. So when you see things like that, you realize you done hit your mark…” (43:00)

Memorable Tour Drama

• Destiny’s Child Tour drama, with Matthew Knowles calling police over a bus dispute: “We not leaving her out in the middle of Louisiana, three in the morning, right? … We mamas’ boys, so we had an obligation.” (48:00)

Group Competition & R&B Sound

• “There was never a real beef” between Jagged Edge and 112; they’re close friends, despite playful public jabs for publicity.
• The group prides itself on keeping a “relatable, real” style: “We want to speak on behalf of the brothers who wear Timbos, who wear Jordans!” (1:04:10)

Surviving & Thriving

• Profound discussion about surviving car accidents and how it strengthens their bond: “A family that prays together stays together.” (1:10:00)
• Reflecting on their appeal: “One thing we all have in common is we have loved somebody or wanted to love somebody … that’s a universal language for us: love.” (1:14:30)

3. New Edition & Boyz II Men Interview

[01:00:00 – 01:50:00]

Coming Together for a Major Tour

• Finally sharing a tour after years of anticipation, due to “logistics, schedules, and the right moment.” (1:50:45)
• Boyz II Men’s admiration for New Edition (“they were your idols, right?”), and clarifying how they first met and auditioned for Michael Bivins backstage, singing “Can You Stand The Rain” a cappella (1:57:00)

Talks on Brotherhood & Staying Together

• “When you're talking about true brotherhood, it's a real, true brotherhood, and we're like real siblings. So you see we go through our ups and downs.” (2:05:00)
• The importance of atonement and letting old drama go, focusing on celebrating their historic impact.

State of R&B and Industry Changes

• Lamenting the lack of new R&B groups: “Sometimes you have to go in the street … but [industry] people have an eye for computer, not talent.” (2:17:00)
• About the Grammys and representation: “How many times we gotta look at the Grammys and not one R&B group is on the show?” (2:20:00)

Reflections on Recording and Performing

• On making their iconic Christmas album in two weeks while on tour in London: “Every aspect of it was straight from the soul … real moments.” (2:30:00)
• Both groups admit some classic songs are hard to perform now (due to age or dance moves!), revealing a behind-the-scenes truth about showbiz longevity.

Boyz II Men’s Upcoming Biopic

• They’re working on a biopic, finally sharing their side due to persistent rumors and misinformation spread online. “When it comes from the horse’s mouth and it’s written in stone, it can’t be erased.” (2:42:15 – Johnny Gill)

4. 112, Total & Case Interview

[01:50:00 – 02:30:00]

The 112 Room Anniversary Tour

• 112, Total, and Case join forces for their “Room 112 30th Anniversary Tour” (kicking off Nov 5), celebrating their continued relevance and honoring the fans.

Maintaining Authenticity, Balancing Sexiness & Street

• Total: “The name started out as Total Opposites because we were all individuals in our own way … We came as we were.” (1:54:30)

The Bad Boy Era

• Recollections of how Bad Boy dominated airwaves and the club scene in the 90s. “It was just like a big old party.” (1:56:00)
• Case reflects on the unique challenges of being the sole R&B act on a heavy hip-hop label (Def Jam) and how that shaped his music and career.

Evolution of R&B: The Hip-Hop Blend

• 112 claims their sound pioneered the “R&B group singing over hip-hop beats” now standard in the industry. “Puff [Diddy] told us: Sing the song as if you’re in the club drinking and you’re trying to holla at a girl.” (2:10:00)
• Friendly competition is encouraged: “Ego is healthy on tour—fans are the ones that win.” (2:13:14)

Lasting Impact & Looking Back

• Reflecting on low periods, the mental health toll of fame, and gratitude for the 90s resurgence as their music is rediscovered by younger generations.

Memorable exchange:

• “We did more than just sing … We contributed to a culture. We're part of history.” (2:19:50 – Mike from 112)

Notable Quotes

On Group Longevity, Rivalry, and Friendship

• “We’ve never broken up. We love each other … That makes it easier.” – Jagged Edge (26:31)
• “Out of all the male groups … 112 is our closest friend.” – Jagged Edge (54:00)

On Legacy and Music

• “We didn’t get in this to be a one-hit wonder … We wanted a career filled with longevity.” – Jagged Edge (43:10)
• “One thing we all have in common is we have loved somebody … and that’s a universal language for us: love.” – Jagged Edge (1:14:30)
• “When it comes from the horse’s mouth and it’s written in stone, it can’t be erased.” – Johnny Gill on the Boyz II Men biopic (2:42:15)

On the State of R&B

• “They have an eye for their computer, not talent. Sometimes you have to go in the street.” – New Edition (2:17:20)
• “How many times we gotta look at the Grammys and not one R&B group is on the show?” – New Edition (2:20:00)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 08:30 – 25:00: Listener call-in: birthdays, loss, body image, ride shares
• 25:30 – 01:00:00: Jagged Edge interview: formation, name, Kandi, So So Def, tour stories, rivalry/friendship
• 01:00:00 – 01:50:00: New Edition & Boyz II Men: tour, brotherhood, business, brotherhood, recording, biopic
• 01:50:00 – 02:30:00: 112, Total & Case: tour announcement, the Bad Boy era, authenticity, genre evolution
• 2:42:15: Johnny Gill on telling your own story and the importance of their upcoming biopic

Recap

This episode is a vibrant time capsule, celebrating and reflecting on the lasting influence of some of the 90s’ greatest R&B artists. The interplay of insightful stories, candid admissions, playful rivalry, and warm memories offers both entertainment and wisdom for listeners—whether you grew up loving these groups or are discovering them anew.

Final thought of the day:
“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude about it.” – Maya Angelou (2:50:00)

This summary delivers a full rundown on the laughter, revelations, music history, and enduring spirit of R&B brotherhood that defined the “Best Of” Breakfast Club episode.