Marques Houston: Marques Houston

By Erin Wienke

Marques Houston, better known as Batman from the early-’90s group Immature, has released his self-titled debut album.

-The first single, “Pop That Booty,” is the catchiest song on the album. “Thick women’s how we like it in the A-T-L” is a line that’s soulfully delivered mid-song.

“Clubbin’,” written by R. Kelly, also has hit potential. Even though the original version is laced with guest rappers, Houston thought a remix was necessary. The “Clubbin'” remix begins with a drawn-out “Remix …” and is followed by the line, “This is the remix,” which is repeated endlessly throughout the song.

Besides the first two high-energy songs, the remaining 11 are low-key love ballads. “Love’s a Game” is beautiful, soulful and laced with piano melodies, but may not be what fans expected after the first radio release.

“Tempted” is another example of an old-school, wanting-someone-you-can’t-have track. The higher background vocals add depth where the lyrics are lacking. The chorus “I’m tempted to touch you/ Tempted to kiss” is followed by “Maybe we can get together/ Get a bite to eat or something.”

The 21-year-old has had his hand in the business for a few years now. He wrote songs on and produced Destiny’s Child’s 1999 release “The Writing’s On The Wall.”

Houston’s album is not lacking in collaboration, either. Besides R. Kelly writing two songs, Jermaine Dupri appears on yet another R&B album.

Fans of Immature will enjoy Houston’s new, grown-up style.