On Our Worst Behavior
On Our Worst Behavior is the debut studio album by the American R&B boy band Immature, released on September 22, 1992, by Virgin Records.[1][2] The album features the group's original trio lineup of Marques "Batman" Houston, Jerome "Romeo" Jones, and Don "Half-Pint" Santos. It blends new jack swing with contemporary R&B and hip hop styles across 14 tracks, with a total runtime of 48 minutes.[2][3] Production was handled by a team including Chris Stokes, Jermaine Dupri, Thaddis "Kuk" Harrell, and Chris "Tricky" Stewart, among others.[4] Notable tracks include the lead single "Tear It Up (On Our Worst Behavior)", which also appeared on the soundtrack to the animated film Bebe's Kids and peaked at number 29 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart,[5] as well as the follow-up single "Da Munchies". Other standout songs feature guest appearances and vocal contributions from artists such as Dionne Farris and Aaron Hall.[4] The album helped establish Immature as pre-teen R&B sensations in the early 1990s, paving the way for their subsequent releases.[6]Background
Formation of the group
Immature was formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1990 by manager and record producer Chris Stokes after discovering the members rapping at a Venice Beach youth center, with the initial lineup consisting of Marques "Batman" Houston (born August 4, 1981), Jerome "Romeo" Jones (born October 25, 1981), and Don "Half-Pint" Santos.[7][8][9] At the time, the members were approximately 9 to 10 years old, a youthful age that Stokes leveraged as the core of the group's "immature" branding to appeal to young fans through playful personas and energetic performances.[7] The trio's early sound was heavily influenced by the new jack swing genre, which blended R&B, hip-hop, and upbeat dance elements, drawing inspiration from pioneering acts like Bobby Brown and Bell Biv DeVoe whose high-energy tracks and choreography shaped the group's focus on rhythmic vocals and synchronized routines targeted at teenage audiences.[7] This style positioned Immature as pint-sized successors to the era's urban pop trends, emphasizing fun, flirtatious themes suited to their pre-teen image.[7] Following a series of local performances and demo recordings in the Los Angeles area, Immature secured a record deal with Virgin Records in 1991.[10] Their debut album, On Our Worst Behavior (1992), featured the original trio of Houston, Jones, and Santos, marking it as the only release with this lineup before Santos departed in 1993 and was replaced by Kelton "LDB" Kessee for subsequent projects under MCA Records.[8][7]Album development and recording
The development of On Our Worst Behavior began in early 1992 as the debut album for Immature, a pre-teen R&B group formed in Los Angeles under the management of Chris Stokes, who also served as a primary producer.[11][12] Recording sessions occurred primarily at studios in Los Angeles, including Skip Saylor Recording Studio, Sound Castle Recording Studio, Larrabee Recording Studios, and Beach Recording Studios, spanning approximately six months from spring through summer 1992.[2][13] The process was overseen by Stokes, with an emphasis on blending live instrumentation—such as keyboards and drums—with hip-hop beats to create a contemporary R&B sound.[2] Key producers involved included Chris Stokes (on multiple tracks, including vocal arrangements), Jermaine Dupri, Marquis "Hami" Dair (handling programming, keyboards, and production), Cyrus Melchor (songwriting and production contributions), Chris "Tricky" Stewart, Thaddis "Kuk" Harrell, and Blueblood.[2] The young members' inexperience, as pre-teens around 11–12 years old, influenced a playful and energetic production style that captured their youthful dynamic during the sessions.[11][14] The album was finalized at a total runtime of 48 minutes across 14 tracks.[3]Musical content
Style and genre
On Our Worst Behavior exemplifies the new jack swing genre, which blends smooth R&B vocals with hip-hop rhythms and funky basslines to create an energetic, danceable sound.[13][15] This style, pioneered by Teddy Riley, shaped the album's production through innovative fusion of urban elements, positioning it within the early 1990s R&B landscape.[16] The album's tracks predominantly employ upbeat tempos, along with synthesized horns and call-and-response vocal arrangements, fostering a lively, party-oriented atmosphere suited to a young audience. New jack swing hallmarks such as punchy, syncopated beats from drum machines and hip-hop-infused rhythmic textures contribute to this energy.[16] While much of the record maintains this high-energy vibe, it incorporates smoother R&B ballads, such as "I Wanna Know U That Way," to offer emotional contrast and highlight the group's vocal versatility.[1] Overall, On Our Worst Behavior contributed to the rise of teen R&B in the early 1990s, presenting Immature as a youthful, accessible counterpart to more mature, sensuality-driven acts like Jodeci.[17][18] The album was produced by a team including Chris Stokes, who emphasized these genre-blending elements.[4]Themes and track highlights
The album On Our Worst Behavior explores central themes of teenage romance, fun mischief, and coming-of-age antics, capturing the playful rebellion implied by its title through scenarios like sneaking out and navigating crushes.[1] These elements reflect the youthful perspective of the group members, who were preteens at the time, emphasizing lighthearted escapades and emotional discoveries without venturing into mature or explicit territory.[19] The lyrics employ simple, relatable language designed to resonate with pre-teen listeners, maintaining a family-friendly tone throughout.[20] Standout tracks highlight these motifs with energetic delivery and catchy hooks. The opener "Tear It Up (On Our Worst Behavior)" serves as a hype-man anthem, featuring repetitive chants and bold declarations of youthful defiance, where the group proclaims their intent to "tear it up" and rule the world with unstoppable fun.[19] "Da Munchies" uses food obsessions—references to sweets like Hershey’s kisses and Almond Joy—as a metaphor for indulgent romantic longing and youthful excess, with verses building on playful hunger for a "flavor" that captivates.[20] In contrast, "Be My Girl" delivers a straightforward love song, pleading for commitment with promises of loyalty "until the end of time," enhanced by harmonized choruses that underscore devotion and support.[21] "Mom's Illin'" adds family humor to the mix, depicting a comedic interruption where a mother's scolding exposes the boys' innocent crushes on a "honey dip," blending coming-of-age embarrassment with rhythmic dialogue influenced by funk elements.[22] Songwriting credits for these tracks primarily involve Chris Stokes alongside collaborators like Marquis "Hami" Dair, Jermaine Dupri, Kuk Harrell, and Tricky Stewart, with additional contributions from group members and producers such as P.J. Jones for select songs, ensuring the content stays accessible and group-driven.[23][4] The album's new jack swing influences appear in the upbeat, rhythmic structures that amplify these themes of mischief and romance.[1]Release and promotion
Singles
The lead single from On Our Worst Behavior was "Tear It Up (On Our Worst Behavior)", released in 1992 and featuring production influenced by the album's new jack swing style. It peaked at number 29 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart after seven weeks.[24][25] The follow-up single, "Da Munchies", was released later in 1992 on cassette and 12-inch vinyl formats, including remixes such as the "12" Truck Diesel" and "7" Diesel No Crossover Radio Mix" versions. Emphasizing the group's comedic themes, it achieved limited commercial success.[26] In 1993, two additional R&B-focused singles were issued: "Be My Girl" and "I Wanna Know U That Way". Both received promotional CD singles and accompanying music videos highlighting the group's synchronized dance routines, though they achieved limited commercial success and minimal pop crossover.[27][1]Marketing and commercial performance
On Our Worst Behavior was released on September 22, 1992, by Virgin Records, with initial marketing efforts targeting urban radio stations.[28] No major tour was undertaken due to the young ages of the group members.[29] Commercially, the album failed to chart on the Billboard 200, marking it as a commercial disappointment that resulted in Immature being dropped by Virgin Records.[30][29] Internationally, promotion was limited to minor efforts in Japan and Europe, in contrast to the group's subsequent albums under MCA Records, which achieved greater success.[4]Reception
Critical reception
Upon its release, On Our Worst Behavior received limited critical attention, reflecting its low profile. One review described it as a solid debut for the young group but criticized portions of the album as derivative new jack swing.[15] The album earned no major awards or nominations. Later coverage, such as in the Chicago Tribune, retrospectively labeled it a commercial flop.[31]Legacy
Despite its initial commercial underperformance, On Our Worst Behavior paved the way for Immature's subsequent successes in the teen R&B landscape, with the group achieving a top-five hit on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart with "Never Lie" from their 1994 follow-up album.[32] The album's modest sales of approximately 33,000 copies underscored the challenges young acts faced in penetrating the more mature-oriented R&B genre during the early 1990s, leading Virgin Records to initially deprioritize the group.[33] A notable aspect of the album's enduring influence is its sampling in later hip-hop tracks, particularly the interpolation of "Is It Love This Time?" in Megan Thee Stallion's 2018 single "Big Ole Freak" from her EP Tina Snow, which exposed Immature's youthful sound to a new generation of listeners.[34] In retrospective contexts, On Our Worst Behavior has been recognized as a foundational work in the 1990s teen R&B scene, with its lead single "Tear It Up (On Our Worst Behavior)" highlighted in 2022 coverage marking the 30th anniversary of the film Bébé's Kids, whose soundtrack featured the track and contributed to early buzz for the group.[35] The album was the only release featuring Immature's original lineup, as member Don "Half Pint" Santos departed in 1993 after his parents pulled him from the group and was replaced by Kelton Kessee, while contributing to the group's overall discography sales exceeding 1 million albums worldwide.[8][36][37]Credits
Track listing
| No. | Title | Duration | Writer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Funky Psychtro Enterview" | 2:39 | |
| 2. | "You're All That" | 5:01 | Stokes, Dair |
| 3. | "Mom's Illin' (Forty Oz. Edit)" | 0:26 | |
| 4. | "Honey Dip" | 3:22 | Stokes, Melchor |
| 5. | "Anti Splurgian Girl" | 0:04 | |
| 6. | "Be My Girl" | 4:30 | |
| 7. | "Let Me Hmm Hmm Hmm" | 3:57 | Stokes, Dair |
| 8. | "Da Munchies" | 4:23 | P.J. Jones, J.E. Phillips, M. Johnson |
| 9. | "I Wanna Know U That Way" | 3:29 | Hall |
| 10. | "(Good Things) Come To Those Who Wait" | 3:38 | |
| 11. | "Meet Me Outside" | 4:02 | |
| 12. | "Tear It Up (On Our Worst Behavior)" | 3:25 | |
| 13. | "Is It Love This Time" | 4:28 | Dair |
| 14. | "Wiser Than My Years" | 5:21 |
Personnel
The vocals for On Our Worst Behavior were primarily performed by the R&B group Immature, consisting of Marques Houston, Jerome Jones, and Don "Half Pint" Santos during the album's recording in 1992.[8] Background vocals were contributed by several artists across specific tracks, including Raquel McQueen on track 3 ("Mom's Illin' (Forty Oz. Edit)"), Dionne Farris on track 10 ("(Good Things) Come To Those Who Wait"), Thaddis "Kuk" Harrell on track 9 ("I Wanna Know U That Way"), and Brandy Diggs on track 14 ("Wiser Than My Years").[4][39] The album features production credits distributed among multiple collaborators, often tied to individual tracks:- Chris Stokes and Marquis "Hami" Dair produced tracks 2 ("You're All That"), 7 ("Let Me Hmm Hmm Hmm"), and 13 ("Is It Love This Time").[4][39]
- Cyrus Melchor produced track 4 ("Honey Dip"), with additional production by Chris Stokes.[4]
- Thaddis "Kuk" Harrell and Chris "Tricky" Stewart produced tracks 6 ("Be My Girl"), 9 ("I Wanna Know U That Way"), and 11 ("Meet Me Outside").[4]
- Blueblood and LRoc produced track 8 ("Da Munchies").[4]
- Aaron Hall, Kuk Harrell, and Tricky Stewart produced track 9 ("I Wanna Know U That Way").[4]
- Jermaine Dupri produced track 10 ("(Good Things) Come To Those Who Wait").[4]
- Christopher Troy and Zac Harmon produced track 14 ("Wiser Than My Years").[4]
- Keyboards and programming by Chris Stokes (track 2), Cyrus Melchor (track 4), Jermaine Dupri (track 10), and Charles Norris (keyboards and drum programming on track 9).[4]
- All instruments by Blueblood, LRoc, and Mixzo (track 8).[4]
- Grand piano, keyboards, and drums by Christopher Troy (track 14).[4]
- Drum sweetening and keyboards sweetening by Thaddis "Kuk" Harrell and Chris "Tricky" Stewart (track 6).[4]
- Marquis "Hami" Dair handled programming on tracks 2, 7, and 13.[4]