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Hot & Wet is the fourth studio album by American R&B group 112. It was released by Bad Boy Records and Def Soul on December 9, 2003 in the United States. The album followed the successful Part III album, with the club tracks "Na Na Na Na" and "Hot & Wet" which was produced by Stevie J. It was also their first album not exclusively associated with Bad Boy, signaling the groups' eventual departure from the label in 2004.
Background
In 2002 the group members, having matured both personally and professionally, came to the realization that a split with the Bad Boy label was necessary due to the lack of interest. In search of greater creative control, 112 left Bad Boy Records in February 2002 and signed with Def Jam in July on their Def Soul-imprint, insisting that the breakup was amicable. They reiterated this "no-hard-feelings" attitude by going to Daddy's House to record a debut album for Def Jam. Disagreements remained over ownership rights to the 112 catalog of songs, and this album - the Def Jam debut disc was waylaid as a result, while negotiations ensued between Lyor Cohen of Def Jam and Bad Boy owner Combs. With both sides ultimately in agreement, Hot & Wet would eventually appear in November 2003.
Release and promotion
Singles
The first single, "Na Na Na Na" was released on July 22, 2003 and features dance hall legend, Super Cat.
The second single, "Hot & Wet" was released on September 22, 2003 and features rapper, Ludacris.
The third single, "Right Here for U" charted at number 74 on the R&B chart on January 2, 2004. The song was released as a digital download only.
The fourth and last single, Give It to Me" was released on April 13, 2004.
AllMusic editor Andy Kellman found that Hot & Wet offered "the same mixed bag of strong singles and inconsistent album cuts that fans have grown accustomed to since the 1996 debut The overabundance of slow-tempo material weighs down the listen, which is especially problematic since the album is nearly 70 minutes in duration." Jon Caramanica from Rolling Stone wrote that most of the "album moves at a snail's pace, though – an undifferentiated set of slooowww jams that suggest 112 are asleep at the wheel." Laura Checkoway from Vibe found that "though Hot sizzles at times, lukewarm and robotically simple cuts dampen the party spirit This crew’s at its best when it focuses on the bedrooms and dance floors. Yes, life has its blues, but with 112, we’ve come to expect nothing short of peaches and cream."
