My most frequently asked question. What was my first experience with each member of "Imajin?" Well to inquiring minds wanna know......
At the time I lived with my grandmother and Bert. The studio was in the apartment with us. Jamal would get into everything! Very hyperactive child he was. We had to put a password on the computer because of him. lol
A few nice things that I could say about him at the time was he was extremely intellent, talented, and sensitive. That little boy could blow! I used to call him a mini KC. He also loves my grandmother! He used to go into her room, plop across her bed and say, "Grandma!" "Is Bertie treating you good?" lol Man, I would be in a bad mood and he would come in the room and say, "what is wrong with you?" "TELL ME, what ever it is I'll bet I can make you feel better!" He was so annoying with it, I would feel worse! On the other hand, with that attutude you couldn't stay and with him! Jamal is now a wonderfully mature young man, and I'm glad I didn't murder him earlier. lol
The moment I saw Olamide I thought to myself(shaking my head) why doesn't that boy have a haircut? lol His hair was a big, matted, afro. He had a dingy t-shirt on, busted jeans, and sneakers that was obviously worn from playing. Olamide was about twelve or thirteen years old and through all that, Olamide was still adorable! He has that personality that will make you love him!
My uncle introduced him to my mother and myself. She and I was in the kitchen cooking when they came in. "I was like O-lama-who?" He happily repeated his name "Olamide!" This kid was like to poster child for colgate! He cheerfully told me that his name was from a "yaruba dialect" and his name means "one that brings honor to his family." Olamide's cheerful attutude is very contagious. You cannot help but love him.
Well, well, well. Talib. Lord knows I never thought I would be close to him. I used to see him come in with the others, and I would simply say "Hi." Talib would give me a weak wave and stare at the floor. I was like okay..... he is not a conversationalist!
One day, (after their first song "shorty" dropped) I saw him in the studio. I was like "hi Tariq!" He got annoyed and said, "It's Talib!" lol That is when I realized he actually wasn't mute. Soon after that we started to chit chat. That is when I realized he was cool. We had so much in common! We have the same birthday and we were from the same town. We both like music, computers, caribbian food, seafood, and we both draw. We have the same favorate colors and we are both sickly. Who knew? The kid I thought was from Mars(well I still think he is a little weird lol) wasn't so bad after all.
Last but not least John. He used to come up from New Orleans to perform with "Imajin." He would come in my grandmother's home dead tired. I would always say hi, but I am sure he doesn't remember. His eyes used to hang so low. Poor child was exhausted!
Then after "Shorty" dropped I made a trip to the studio. I was like "hi John!" he looked at me and said "who u?" My uncle said "Jiz, you don't remember my niece?" " she lived in my house remember?" After a few seconds it occured to him he had met me. John then turned around and said to me in a smooth voice, "hello I am John." Of course you know I rolled my eyes at that. It was too funny!
