If there were ever a trivia question asking about my favorite music time period, the answer would be the nineties R&B. During the 1990s, a high volume of R&B music was hitting shelves, making it challenging to stay up-to-date. On this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I’d like to pay tribute to a group that may have slipped your mind – II D Extreme and their slow jam, If I Knew Then (What I Know Now”).”
In 1993, the trio consisting of D’Extra Wiley, Randy Gill (Johnny Gill’s brother), and Jermaine Mickey debuted with the single “Cry No More.” Their self-titled debut album was successful with hits such as “Up on the Roof” and “Let Me Love You.” For the next two years, they toured extensively to promote their album. In 1996, they returned with their second album, From I Extreme II Another, led by the single “If I Knew Then (What I Know Now).”
Written by group member D’Extra Wiley, the track explores the regret and longing of a man who realizes the mistake he made in a past relationship. The lyrics discuss the emotional distress and sorrow experienced when someone loses a loved one and the recognition that their pride and inability to communicate effectively contributed to the end of the relationship.
Each member of the group takes a turn singing the lead vocals, expressing their deep regret for not being able to let go of their pride and walking away from their partner. They confess that their ego blinded them, and they ignored the actual call of love, failing to comprehend the weight of their choice fully. They have realized they lost their true love and felt overwhelming remorse for their actions.
The lyrics also touch on the difficulty of admitting fault and apologizing. The narrator acknowledges that saying “I’m sorry” is challenging for them, but they are willing to put their pride aside to rectify their mistakes and rebuild the love they lost. They yearn for a second chance, ready to start anew and let go of the past.
This song emphasizes the importance of cherishing what we have before it’s too late. Sometimes we unknowingly take our loved ones for granted, only realizing their worth when they’re gone. A great R&B ballad explores themes of regret, introspection, and the longing for another chance. It underscores the significance of effective communication, humility, and appreciating love while we have it. Kudos to II Da Extreme for delivering this message.
Final Grade: B+
“If I Knew Then (What I Know Now)” from the album From I Extreme II Another is available on all streaming platforms.
For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I want to revisit 2004 and highlight Romeo’s debut solo album, formerly of Immature. Titled “Food for Thought” and released on June 22nd, this project marked the singer’s change of name to Young Rome in an effort to distance himself from the youthful sound of his group, much like his bandmate Marques Houston had done a year earlier.
In the nineties, Hip-Hop reigned supreme, and every label CEO wanted a share of the lucrative R&B market. One strategy was to keep singers on their roster who could deliver catchy hooks, keeping everything in-house and saving money. Bad Boy had Carl Thomas, Death Row had Danny Boy, and Roc-A-Fella had Rell, our featured artist for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday
Growing up in the eighties, I was surrounded by incredibly talented male R&B singers who could deliver unforgettable love songs. Artists like Luther Vandross, Jeffrey Osborne, and Peabo Bryson dominated the airwaves, but Freddie Jackson was another voice that truly deserved recognition.