Innovative. Multi-talented. Explosive.
All words that aptly describe IMx. Formerly known as Immature, the trio of Batman, Romeo, and LDB announce their return with a new album and a new set of standards. The self-titled album is their strongest and most creative effort yet, and showcases the group's development and diversity as artists. IMx is saturated with a varied mix of solid uptempto jams and soulful ballads, a true testament to IMx's talent and growth.
"There's a lot of things we're showing off on this record," says a confident Batman. "We're showing that we can really sing and that we've grown as artists and as individuals. It's also important to us for people to see that we can get together and collectively write and produce, and that we have several strengths as a group."
IMx is a deeply personal album that showcases the threesome's effortless vocal ability and taps their softer side with songs like "Beautiful" and "Tears." A poignant moment on the album comes with "First Time," a touching song that is dedicated to that special someone that everyone has, their "first." "LDB thought of this concept," Batman explains. "So many people have been there and remember the experience, and although it is a really personal subject, we wanted to write about something that everyone could feel and relate to."
Another single, entitled "Clap Your Hands," is, as LDB explains, "a booty-shaking g-string song. It's kinda edgy but still fun because everybody can relate to it." Based on the universally known schoolyard rhyme of the same name, "Clap Your Hands" not only asks you if you're happy -- but if you want to get naughty. Other tracks including "Hate the Playa" and "Ain't No Need" are hopping party anthems that guarantee packed dance floors nationwide.
At the young age of 18, the members of IMx are already showbiz veterans with 10 years under their belt. The group first formed in 1991 when Chris Stokes, a young manager with an eye for fresh talent, saw Romeo rapping at a local youth center. In 1992, the group, then named Immature, released On Our Worst Behavior, followed by the wildly successful Playtime Is Over, which included the hits "never lie," and "Constantly." We Got It soon followed before the band changed their name and released The Journey, featuring the certified gold single "Stay the Night."
Being in a popular R&B group who has sold an estimated seven million records and gone on tours with the likes of Brandy, the Notorious B.I.G., and Soul 4 Real would be enough for most recent high school graduates -- but not for the men of IMx. They have spent a great deal of time honing their skills behind the board in the studio, something they are all very enthusiastic about. In addition to writing and producing all but one song on IMx, they have also produced tracks for other chart-topping artists such as Destiny's Child and Blaque.
In addition to IMx's great success within the world of music, they have all ventured into the realm of acting for film and television. Batman was the first to pursue an acting career, landing a recurring role on the new syndicated hit television series, Sister, Sister. The entire group appeared in House Party 3 alongside TLC and Kid'N'Play, and has recently starred in New Line Cinema's House Party 4.
For the critics who thought Immature were just a kiddie group with little hope of, well, maturity, Batman counters that notion with a sly chuckle. "They'll soon see," he says assuredly. "I think this album is really self-explanatory. They'll feel the change once they hear the album. The songs on the album talk about what young men go through, as opposed to little boys. Everyone will be able to recognize that we have all grown up and matured and are here to stay."
The past was Immature and though the future is unknown, the present is a sure thing . . . it's IMx.
The group released four albums under the name Immature: On Our Worst Behavior (1992) (which included former member Don "Half Pint" Santos, later replaced by Kessee), Playtyme Is Over (1994), We Got It (1995) and The Journey (1997). In 1999, the group underwent a name change and continued on to release two albums under the name IMx: Introducing IMx (1999) and IMx (2001) and released the Greatist Hits album in 2001. The group also branched out into film (such as House Party 4: Down to the Last Minute) and television (such as A Different World) before disbanding in 2002.
After Immature/IMx
In 2002, the group disbanded. Houston and Jones (under the name Young Rome) began solo careers, while Kessee continued his work as a record producer. Houston became the first former member to release a solo album, MH, in 2003. Jones followed suit with the release of his debut solo album in 2004, entitled Food for Thought. Houston continued on to release two more albums: Naked (2005) and Veteran (2007).
Houston and Jones have also pursued acting careers, with both starring in the dance film, You Got Served (2004) and Houston starring in UPN's comedy Cuts and the horror film Somebody Help Me (2007).
First of All
IMx Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uhhh, I mean
I was trying to make things work us
You know
Trying to be a good man
Trying to be by your side
First of all (I called you day after day)
First of all (please understand I tried)
You kept trippin
Now there's someone else
Never wanted this be
Just thought I let you know
That I'm letting you go (letting you go)
I was down on bending knee
Said you didn't want me know mo
I tried everything that I could
To change your thoughts bout me (if only you could see)
That I'm the best man for you
You figured out to late
Now I got to escape
And I'm telling you
(Chorus 2x)
First of all (I called you day after day)
First of all (I wrote you letters after letter)
First of all (please understand I tried)
You kept trippin
Now there's someone else
I think its time you finally see (see)
All I ever wanted was it to be you and me
All I gave you didn't receive
Maybe that's you couldn't handle me
Then I finally met someone else
A women who indeed completes me
Now you try to come back now
But your just a few seconds late
Cause now I got to escape
(Chorus 2x)
First of all (I called you day after day)
First of all (I wrote you letters after letter)
First of all (please understand I tried)
You kept trippin
Now there's someone else
(Romeo speaks)
Now what
Wanna holla at me now
Hell naw
I mean I wish it could of work
But it didn't
Listen up
(Repeat Chorus)
The song "First of All" by IMx is about a man who has been trying very hard to make his relationship work with his girlfriend. He has been calling her, writing letters to her, and doing everything he can to be a good man and be by her side, but she keeps tripping up the relationship. He never wanted things to end between them, but she ultimately rejects him, leading him to find someone else who completes him. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase, "first of all," emphasizing how much effort the man put into the relationship before realizing it was time for him to move on.
One interpretation of the chorus is that the man is saying "first of all" as a way of emphasizing how much effort he put into the relationship before giving up. He's trying to communicate that he exhausted all his options and gave it his all before deciding that it was time to move on. The repetition of this phrase throughout the song makes it clear that the man is frustrated with his girlfriend's behavior and wants her to know that he tried his best.
Another interpretation of the song is that it's about the power dynamic in relationships. The man in the song is trying to assert himself in the relationship by putting in a lot of effort, but his girlfriend keeps "tripping" him up. This can be seen as a metaphor for her not respecting him or valuing him as much as he deserves. When he finally finds someone else who "completes" him, it's a sign that he's moved on from a relationship that was not healthy or fulfilling.
Line by Line Meaning
First of all (I called you day after day)
To begin with, I made countless phone calls to you, hoping to reconcile our relationship.
First of all (I wrote you letter after letter)
In addition, I wrote multiple letters to you expressing my remorse and desire to fix things between us.
First of all (please understand I tried)
Above all, I want you to know that I did my best to salvage our relationship.
You kept trippin
However, you continued to be difficult and unresponsive.
Now there's someone else
As a result, I moved on and found another lover.
Never wanted this be
It was never my intention to end things between us.
Just thought I let you know
I simply wanted to inform you of my decision.
That I'm letting you go (letting you go)
I have made the choice to end our relationship.
I was down on bending knee
I pleaded with you for another chance.
Said you didn't want me know mo
You made it clear that you didn't want me anymore.
I tried everything that I could
I exhausted all options to try and save our relationship.
To change your thoughts bout me (if only you could see)
I hoped to change your negative perception of me.
That I'm the best man for you
I firmly believe that I was the best partner for you.
You figured out to late
Unfortunately, you realized this too late.
Now I got to escape
I must now remove myself from the situation and move on.
I think its time you finally see (see)
It is time for you to acknowledge the truth.
All I ever wanted was it to be you and me
All I ever wanted was for us to be together.
All I gave you didn't receive
The love and effort I put into our relationship was not reciprocated.
Maybe that's you couldn't handle me
Perhaps you were not capable of being with someone like me.
Then I finally met someone else
Eventually, I found another partner.
A women who indeed completes me
Someone who truly makes me happy and fulfilled.
Now you try to come back now
You are now attempting to reconcile with me.
But your just a few seconds late
However, it is now too little, too late.
Cause now I got to escape
I must still move on and leave the past behind.
Now what
Now what can you say?
Wanna holla at me now
You now want to talk to me?
Hell naw
No way.
I mean I wish it could of work
I do wish that things could have worked out between us.
But it didn't
Unfortunately, it did not.
Listen up
Pay attention.
(Repeat Chorus)
The chorus repeats the same message: That despite my efforts, you did not want to work on our relationship, which ultimately led to me finding someone else.
Contributed by Michael V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.