After defining the 90s, Boyz II Men spent a lot of the 2000s resurrecting the oldies with two albums of cover tracks. The two albums were Throwback Volume 1 and Motown: Journey Through Hitsville.

Throwback was Boyz II Men's first foray into the remake scene and featured several solid numbers. The Boyz covered DeBarge's "Time Will Reveal" and Klymaxx's "I Miss You" to great results. Some of the numbers left a little to be desired but really, who can argue with "Sara Smile?"

In 2007, Boyz II Men brought their second round of covers with Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville USA. The album seemed to have more significant backing with a lot better promotion and marketing. The album featured a number of great remakes with "The Tracks of My Tears," and "It's the Same Old Song" rocking out. It shows Boyz II Men's legacy when they even did a cover of their own song with "End of the Road" closing out the album.

Which of the two covers did you prefer?

Junebug: if I were to rank my fav male groups, 112 would be at the bottom somewhere. Besides the "" and maybe like a couple other songs there nothing that I really like from them. I hate that "cupid song", "hot and wet" is garbage, "what if" was garbage and many other songs of theirs also sucked. I feel like that lacked a lot of substance in many of their songs and their harmony (if even they had any) was weak.

The group didnt even have a vocalist in it, or a strong singer like how Dru Hill has Sisqo, Jodeci had K-Ci, BIIM had Wanya, Mint Condition had Stokley etc.

J.E. on the other hand also had their fair share of weak music (especially their newer stuff) but not as much as 112 IMO. The twins alone to me had better voices than the entire 112.

I'm also a "balladeer" and listen for vocals extensively when it comes to R&B music listening, and I feel songs like "Promise" "I Gotta Be" "He Can't Love You" "Walked Outta Heaven" "Lets Get Married" "Goodbye" etc. separate Jagged Edge from 112.

What are your favorite 112 songs ilikeit? Just asking since I dont really like much of their songs and you mentioned they have more better songs.

Ilikeit: If it's a debate you want Junebug then it's a debate you will get. If you say a group is garbage then I think you need to artiulate why. But since you did not I will tell you why they are not and why I like 112. First and foremost both groups are mimicking the style of New Edition and I donn't blame them because New Edition is my favorite male group of all time growing up. So since they both mimick New Edition I have to go with the group that's doing New Edition better. And that's 112. Let's start with you said the twins had better voices than the entire 112 group.

How's this for you every member has a solo project:
2008: Real talk by Q.Parker
2008: Love's crazy by Slim
2008: Who I am by Daron Jones
2008: Michael Keith by Michael Keith

How's that for bad voices every member to be signed to a solo project. That's unheard of in the music biz. We can't say the same for the members of Jagged.

Second you say Jagged had more hits or better songs. Jagged had 5-single in the top 10 r&b charts and 3-single in the hot 100. Compared to 112's 2-singles in the top 10 in r&b charts and None in hot 100. Unfornately those numbers didn't help Jagged with sales like it did 112.

They had Gold, 2xPlat, Plat, Gold, Gold, Gold, and 146,600.

112's mere chart numbers gave them a mind blowing album sales of 16+ million world wide. Know that that's out the way let's move on the the cash because tour's put cash in the artist pockets. Try criss crossing the U.S with Keith Sweat and New Edition and Puff Daddy over a grueling 18 month period. And you say the group didn't even have a vocalist or strong singer like Dru Hill,Jodeci, or BIIM. Neither one of those groups sang for 18 months that's strong singing my friend check the facts after that the group toured with bigger names like Whitney and Janet that's serious.But back to the question what 112 songs do I like. I will say this I like groups that make music for me not the radio. While you listen for hits I listen to music that creates stories in the album. I listen to the entire album good and bad because life is full of good and bad. My favorite 112 songs are the 112album and 112 part 3 because it represents a story to me. Oh and 112 has a grammy if you're into awards.

Junebug: Wow ilikeit. Very good thoughts... you brought up some good points. I do agree that 112 is mimicking New Edition with their uptempo "goody two-show" songs with mini dance moves and stuff, but Jagged Edge tho? They are more kinda mimicking Jodeci in a way their style is portrayed with a slight bad boy image, baggy clothing (after the first album, just a little bit cleaner and less sleazier than how Jodeci did it. As far as the sales, or awards go, I don't really care about that, that's the last thing on my mind. I just care about the music and how it sounds. I mean J.E. did sell more records and had more successful records in the U.S. than 112 (not sure about WW sales), and more hit records, won a couple of soul train awards for their own songs (not tribute songs by a guy cashing of his boys death, that they were just singing on the hook on), but as I said that is the last thing on my mind.

To me, Quality >>>> Quantity. And even if 112 members are going to do solo projects themselves, that really doesn't mean that they have strong voices to sing. I can't blame em though, Jagged Edge is still on So So Def/Island Def Jam while 112 got they asses dropped from their major record label which I believe is Def Jam :). I mean Cassie had a solo album. Bobby Valentino had a solo album, Even Dalvin from Jodeci had a solo album and he can barely sing, so that right there doesn't prove anything. Not saying that 112 is totally wack and cant sing whatsoever, I just think that they are weak at what they do for the most part. I guess Jagged Edge doesn't want to do the solo thing cause they wanna stay together, have great chemistry and they are a group, not solo artists. Look what to what happened to Dru Hill after Sisqo did a solo joint, B2K after Omarion solo? Get my point. Honestly I really don't think people are checking for solo albums from back-up singers from 112. It may sound good to some people, but nobody will be checking for it for the most part.

The part where I was asking what songs you like fromt hem didnt really refer to whether it was a single or an album cut or songs released on singles like rare remixes and b-sides. If I havent heard 112's albums then I really cant say that I dont like them. But since I did, I can. I have heard all of their albums except the most recent one in 2005, which I skimmed through and didnt like. I only mentioned the singles mainly because thats what everybody hears and I wasnt sure if you were like me and listen to full albums/discographies and not just singles like other folk. (i.e. Promise, "Where they party at"). I was kinda saying that they got away with releasing more uptempo joints where they could hide their vocals and not show it on ballads, that also another reason why I mentioned the ballads singles by J.E..

Take BBD for example, They were nice they dropped 'poison' 'do me' 'dope' 'gangsta' and other uptempo's. we all know thy were the 3 least best singers in the group (they were okay at best) thats why Jimmy jam and terry lewis had the idea of putting them together, while johnny's voice was good enough to go solo like Ralph and Bobby did, knowing that bell bivins or devoe cant do a solo thang with success. they did drop a ballad here and there like when 'will I see you smile again' which was nice but the point is look what happened after new jack swing faded out...they did too! johnny gill who was able to continue and put out those dark sounding ballads with strong vocals was able to do so in the mid 90's and his album went gold. Poison album was all new jack which were all their chart topping hits. To me, if an artist don't got good vocals, or dont make good ballads, I really dont check for them like that. Afer all, R&B is Rhythm and Blues. I dont wanna just hear rhythm, sing me the blues!

I have heard Jagged Edge albums too, and they are not really too great either, but i'd still put them over 112. I have over 820+ albums in my collection. My 160 GB ipod is almost full by the way, with all my albums, some movies and my favorite music videos/tv shows are on it. A large portion of my albums (at least 300 of them are R&B albums from the late 80's to present. I have albums/discographies from Donell Jones, to Styles P., to Freddie Jackson, Ghostface Killah, to Donny Hathaway, to The Ohio Players, to Parliament-Funkadelic, to Johnny Gill to whoever. I listen to a lot of albums 24/7/365, and trust me I have heard 112's. I had borrowed them from friends/downloaded some and either gave them back/deleted them after not liking what I heard and kept only the tracks that I liked which was very few. And guess what this is not recently, this is when the albums actually came like Part 3 in 2001 or Room 112 in 98. I have been a R&B fan forever and grew up heavily on it.

Singles are not even my thang really, album cut ballads are my thing, especially other rare tracks which showcase what they group can do, and not just what the record label picks to be put on tv/radio. The best 112 album is the first one which is just "ehh...okay" to me and the rest I ain't feeling.

J.E. did have FIVE Billboard album 200 top 10 albums, more US sales even if they did come out after 112 did, but again they really doesn't mean anything. Cause we all know groups like Guy, Mint Condition and Tony Tone Toni who didn't have that success, all sh*t on 112/Jagged Edge. To tell you the truth, I really don't like any of these groups like that, but if I had to pick on its J.E. off the straight of their versatility in making songs, vocals, and overall sounding songs. I have all the Jodeci albums, New Edition, Boyz II Men, Dru, Silk, After 7, Intro, Mint Condition, but did not keep the JE or 112 albums after getting them. I do have some singles and album cuts that I thought were nice from the albums of each group tho.

So again I ask, which songs of 112 do you like any specific titles? And please don't just name singles since we are on the same page now.

Ilikeit: You make very good points Junebug,but you missed my key points. It takes strong vocals to tour 18 months. Whitney Houston is not going to open her tour with a wack group that's her money on the line. Janet Jackson is not going to open her tour with a wack group that's her money on the line as well. And once again it's not a partiular song or track that I like it's the entire 1st album and 3rd album in it's entire context that I like. If people take the time to listen the 1st and 3rd album tells a story. So that means I like everything on the 1st and 3rd album. And At the end of the day we got the same music in our library and that's too funny. LOL Sounds like we like the same thing. ha ha

Junebug: Actually it really doesn't take strong vocals to tour 18 months. Some of the biggest acts in the early 90's such as Milli Vanilli and Color Me Badd went on huge tours for long periods of time and we all know their vocals weren't really all that. Same in the rap world like MC Hammer & Vanilla Ice. They had a lot of popular songs that appealed to the public that were also catchy, so hey if they can do, just about any group can. Not saying that 112 is some type of 'wackness' like Milli Vanilli or CMB (112 is obviously better), but I'm just stating that the fact that you don't have to be the best singer or rapper to go on tour and open up for a bigger act. you just gotta be "popping" or "hot" in the mainstream or towards the general public. And I never said they were totally wack, I said "borderline-wack" LOL. Meaning that they just passed (like I'd give them a D or D+) for what they have done in their career from 1996-2008.

If 112's 'Only You', 'Cupid', 'Your Letter' are getting a lot of radio play, and the general public are requesting it on radio/tv etc., then of course she is gonna put them on her tour, she doesn't care if 112 is good vocally. If they are doing good commercially, then she of course is gonna invite them since its gonna make her some money. Whatever makes her more money is what she will go by, not who sounds better to her for her tour.

As far as their albums go, I know exactly what you mean when you say they tell a story. I get what what your saying but I just don't feel them for the most part beside a couple songs. So I guess we do have the same (or similar) taste in R&B music at the end of the day.

Now it's your turn! To help you choose:

112's It's Over Now:

Jagged Edge's I Gotta Be:

R&B Guru: To kick things off, we'll turn the clocks back and look at each lady's debut album. Toni came out in 1993 with her self-titled debut, rockin some short hair and a deep rich voice. But what really defined her on that early release was the sheer quality of the album. From "Breathe Again" to "You Mean The World To Me," Toni Braxton was spitting out pure fire. And frankly, compared to that quality, Anita's tracks are just "Another Sad Love Song," that couldn't stand "Seven Whole Days," against Toni's stuff. Okay, maybe not, but I couldn't resist incorporating track names into my tirade. But yea, right outta the gates, Toni was putting out gold, and people recognized it, driving the album to 8X platinum sales. Compared to that debut, what can Anita possibly put up?

Ilikeit: Yes, Toni had 2 straight albums that sold 8 million copies. Yes, Toni had countless pop and R&B chart toppers. Yes, Toni had 1 less album than Anita to do this, and Anita has 2 more Grammys than Toni.

But we're missing something. It's called the tree of life. A seed is planted, the soil needs to be tilled before a seed can be planted. Yes. that's it. The woman behind the scenes the missing link is sweet Anita. She gave a lot of "Rhythm of Love" when she tilled that soil. She gave you "The look of Love" when she planted the seed. She gave you "I Apologize" when she let the sun shine on that ground. She gave you "Plenty of Room" when she watched that seed grow to a tree. She gave you "Its been you" when that tree beared it's fruit. She gave you "You belong to me" when Toni ate from that fruit.

Yes it was the one song, "Love Shoulda Brought You Home" that was designed for Anita Baker and she turned it down and suggested Toni Braxton record it. Yes it was this song that appeared on the Boomerang soundtrack and brought Toni radio attention. It led to Braxton signing with Laface records and launched Toni's career. Yes Anita's music does inspire and like the definition sometimes Anita will prompt to action by turning down a song and suggesting an up and coming songtress.

But inspire her music does just that when a young songtress at a local mall in White plains, NY, recorded herself singing Anita Baker's "Caught up in the Rapture". The resulting tape was passed by Blige's step father to Uptown records CEO Andre Harrell an a star was born. Yes like all mother's they want the best for there young including more accolades, but it was the mother songtress that paved the way, knocked down all the doors.

So enjoy the Anita hits that keep on inspiring and making star's. "Angel," "You're the best thing yet," "No More Tears," "Sweet Love," "Caught up in the rapture," “You Bring Me Joy," "Same Ole Love," "No one in the World," "Ain't No Need to Worry," "Giving You the Best That I Got," "Good Love," "Just Because," "Lead Me into Love," "Fairy Tales," "Talk to Me," "Body and Soul," "I Apologize," and "It's Been You."

R&B Guru: Well dang. How the heck can I stand against that? You're right ilikeit in that Anita bore the torch that brought Toni to stardom. However, there's much to be said for taking a winning formula and making it your own. And with the guidance of Babyface and the LaFace team, Toni Braxton was able to dominate the R&B industry and become a household name in the 1990s. She was able to take Anita's style and bring it the consistent cross over success that Anita only occasionally was able to achieve.

So I'll take your list of classics and raise you with Toni's own offerings. Don't miss "Love Shoulda Brought You Home," "Breathe Again," "Another Sad Love Song," "You Mean The World To Me," "Let It Flow," "Unbreak My Heart," "I Don't Want To," "Spanish Guitar," "He Wasn't Man Enough," "How Could An Angel Break My Heart," and so many more.

R&B Guru:Now it's your turn. Who's the better low register songstress? Anita Baker or Toni Braxton?

To help you choose:

Anita Baker's Sweet Love:

Toni Braxton's Love Shoulda Brought You Home:

R&B Guy Groups

Guy groups were a dime a dozen during the 1990s. With great harmonies, these guys lit up the radios and sold albums like crazy. Today, guy groups are on their way out and there's a limited selection to choose from. So to kick off the fight, we've got on one side: After 7, Boyz II Men, Dru Hill, H-Town, Hi-Five, Immature, Jodeci, Mint Condition, Shai, Silk and more. On the other we've got: B2K.

90s R&B: Jodeci - Cry for You

Modern R&B: B2K - Girlfriend

R&B Girl Groups

Much like the guys, 90s R&B fielded an arsenal of solid acts. En Vogue, SWV, Xscape, TLC, Destiny's Child all lit up the radios. In the 2000s, we've had... well, I guess Destiny's Child, who threw away their independence to find a man they could "Cater 2."

90s R&B: En Vogue - Giving Him Something He Can Feel

Modern R&B: Destiny's Child - Cater 2 U

New Jack vs Hip-Hop

Before today's R&B artists started catering to the clubs and the tracks to keep the car bouncing, 90s R&B fielded their own similar movement with New Jack. Disjoint beats and hard hitting tracks dominated the radios during the early 1990s. How did they fair against today's sounds? In the past, we had artists like After 7, Bell Biv DeVoe, Bobby Brown, Guy, and Johnny Gill. Today, we've got Chris Brown, Lloyd, and Ray J.

90s R&B: Bell Biv DeVoe - She's Dope!

Modern R&B: Lloyd - Get It Shawty

Lovers vs Soulsters

One of the 90s key contributions to R&B, was the offering of hundreds of tracks to swoon and tell a woman how much a man loved her. I'll be your lover and your friend, or he can't love you like I can. Whatever the message, it was delivered. In the 2000s, a major growth in the industry was the presence of soul artists. Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Anthony Hamilton, Maxwell, Raheem DeVaughn and more joined a movement that took the industry by storm. Which movement was the better of the two?

90s R&B: Gerald LeVert - How Many Times

Modern R&B: John Legend - Ordinary People

Era Spanning Artists

Some artists crossed into the 2000s and didn't slow down at all. These artists include Brian McKnight, Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, Mint Condition, and Usher. Some changed their sound while others stayed true to their roots. Which side of the field do you think these artists performed better?

90s R&B: Brian McKnight - One Last Cry

Modern R&B: Brian McKnight - What's My Name

SonofSoul: Blasphemy!!!! You think dru hill is better than BIIM...unreal. I hate you lol.

R&B Guru: Bah, now you're putting words in my mouth. I think Boyz II Men has overall the better tracks, but if I had to listen to every track on an album, I think Dru Hill's first two albums beat any Boyz album.
Which album do you think is better than Dru Hill's debut?

SonofSoul: Evolution is better. II is better. NMSW is better. 2nd release of CHH is better. Hands down.

R&B Guru: Well, by my definition... Dru Hill's debut's got:

• Tell Me
• Satisfied
• April Showers
• All Alone
• Never Make A Promise
• So Special
• In My Bed
• Love Train
• Share My World
• 5 Steps

And Boyz II Men's Evolution has:

• Doin' Just Fine
• Never
• 4 Seasons Of Loneliness
• Girl In The Life Magazine
• A Song For Mama
• Can You Stand The Rain
• Can't Let Her Go
• Human II (Don't Turn Your Back On Me)
• Dear God

Which gives Dru Hill the win, 10-9. Evolution is probably the closest match to Dru Hill's debut, and both are rockin. Really, it's like arguing if you'd rather have a million dollars in gold, or a million dollars in silver. In the end, you've still got a million dollars (but Dru Hill's debut is still better).

SonofSoul: You can not judge it track by track like that, it just doesnt make sense. The quality of an album is not determined by the quantity of "good tracks". Doin' Just Fine is better than at least half the songs on Dru Hill. You sayin that doesn't matter?

R&B Guru: Like I said, Boyz II Men has the better songs, but when it comes to a full album of quality, Dru Hill wins :). If I was to just make a mix, I'd pull all of Boyz II Men first, but if I had to listen to an album in the car, I'd take one of Dru Hill's first two.

SonofSoul: well here's the $100,000 question. Which is the better album overall? When you answer that question, do you call Dru Hill's better because it has "more good tracks" (which i don't agree w/ btw)?

R&B Guru: Now it's time for the voters to decide. Which quartet does it better? Are you for Boyz II Men or Dru Hill? To help you make your decision, check out the following two videos showcasing the guys talents.

Dru Hill: We're Not Making Love No More

Boyz II Men: I Will Get There