If you’re a 90s baby, you would know Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes and Rozonda “Chili” Thomas or more collectively known as TLC. The American R&B girl group sold more than 75 million records worldwide and is considered as one of the most successful R&B girl group of all time.
They literally took over the world.
Who could forget “No Scrubs”, “Waterfalls”, “Unpretty”, and “Diggin On You”? It’s been over 20 years since they last made us groove to their hits on and off the airwaves, yet, their brightness didn’t dim one bit. As luck would have it, TLC, together with SWV, is set to take the Manila concert stage by storm on Nov. 6!
And before you go off “chasing TLC”, here are 10 facts you need to know about our favorite girls.
10. 4 of their hits made it to the Billboard Hot 100
Four of their hits namely, “Creep”, “Waterfalls”, “Unpretty” and “No Scrubs” made it the number 1 spot. They also recorded four multi-platinum albums including CrazySexyCool. It was awarded a diamond certification by RIAA and still remains the only album ever to receive the title.
9. They were originally called 2nd Nature
Crystal Jones created the all-group 2nd Nature, after a while, she was replaced by backup dancer, Rozonda Thomas which was later known as “Chili”. Another all-boy R&B band took the name but never became as successful as TLC.
8. Lefteye rapped on “Never Be The Same Again” by Mel C of Spice Girls
The song made it #1 in several countries. Mel C became fairly successful when she went solo. Left-eye was part of the success of Sporty Spice’ single.
7. Some lyrics of Waterfalls is engraved on Lefteye’s casket
Lisa “Lefteye” Lopes died while driving in Honduras. She was the only fatality in the accident. “Dreams are hopeless aspirations in hopes of coming true. Believe in yourself. The rest is up to me and you” is permanently on the singer’s tombstone.
6. In 1999 Lisa “Lefteye” Lopes opened her own production studio
The first artist to sign under her was Blaque, a female RnB trio. Under Lefteye’s guidance, Blaque released their 1999 self-titled debut album and was certified platinum and had two top-ten singles on the Billboard Hot 100.
5. Instead of replacing Lefteye, T-Boz and Chili chose to continue their career as a duo
The members considered one another irreplaceable that they never thought of adding a new member. All three of them contributed equally undisputed talent to the group.
4. They launched a Kickstarter campaign to launch their said to be fifth and final album
It was dubbed to be the “fastest most funded Kickstarter campaign in Kickstarter history”. They needed $150, 000 to launch yet in less than 48 hours, they were able to raise more than $400,000. Some of those who help fund their campaign were Justin Timberlake, Better Midler, and Katy Perry.
3. Beyonce claims that TLC influenced Destiny’s Child
According to Beyonce’, the former lead singer of Destiny’s child, the female group TLC has influenced almost every girl group that’s out there now. It was even predicted that there would be no other “all-black female R&B group having chemistry, cultural and commercial impact as remotely comparable as TLC.”
2. The song Waterfalls addresses the issues of illegal drug trade, promiscuity, and HIV/AIDS
The groups’ signature song Waterfalls tackled 1990s issues such as the HIV/AIDS epidemic and violence associated with the illegal drug trade. It was important for the group to get the message across without seeming like preaching. It was the first ever socially-conscious song to ever make it to charts.
1. They will release their last and final album in 2017
But don’t fret! Though the group is planning to release their said to be the final album, T-Boz and Chili will still continue to perform together in shows. It is said that they will no longer use Left-eye’s raps on their tracks as they have already done that before.
It’s been 20 years, yet TLC will remain one of the most brilliant all-girl RnB group to ever influence their audience. Their songs still continue to bring back the familiar RnB good vibes that only these girls can ever elicit.
Watch and prepare to be nostalgic as TLC and SWV perform together on November 6, at the Araneta Coliseum.
For further details, read here.
See you there!
