The legendary Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins will be returning to our television screens in July!
The TLC legend will be featured in WE TV‘s ‘Power, Influence & Hip Hop: The Remarkable Rise of So So Def‘ on July 18, documenting the importance of Atlanta’s very own Jermaine Dupri!
The one-hour special will feature never-before-seen archival footage as well as original interviews with Mariah Carey, Usher, Snoop Dogg, will.i.am, Da Brat, Bow Wow, Nelly and of course, T-Boz!
Dupri played a huge part in the rise of TLC from the very beginning — JD was the one who was responsible for encouraging T-Boz to sing in her lower, scratchy vocal tone that we all know and love her for!
He also helped launch the careers of Kris Kross, Bow Wow, Da Brat and Xscape. The Songwriters Hall Of Famer also crafted classic records with Mariah Carey, Jay-Z, Usher, Ludacris, to name but a few.
The trailer captures the eclectic, genre-blending nature of So So Def in an amazing moment where Dupri and Mariah Carey share a glass of red wine and the former quips, “She’s a rapper,” and latter responds, “He’s a diva.”
‘Power, Influence and Hip Hop‘will premiere June 23rd at SeriesFest in Denver, Colorado before arriving on We TV in July.
TLC gave their fans a once in a lifetime opportunity to dance with them in an exclusive masterclass in LA, courtesy of DanceOn and Live Nation!
T-Boz and Chilli attended the DanceOn masterclass on May 16, 2019 at Mirhan K. Studios in Burbank, CA. Limited tickets were available to fans who wanted to participate in the session with the girls!
TLC were super humble and down to earth as always, taking time out to mingle with every fan that attended the event.
They gave fans a fun dance tutorial, teaching them the choreography to some of their biggest hits, including “Creep“, “Way Back“, and “What About Your Friends?“, the latter of which was the main focus for the masterclass!
The event was a huge success enjoyed by all, and the girls have expressed interest in doing it again sometime in the future!
Feeling creative? To be in with a chance to WIN VIP tickets to see TLC live and meet the girls on their summer tour in conjunction with Live Nation!
Simply post yourself dancing to TLC’s classic “What About Your Friends?” on your chosen social media platform(YouTube,Instagram or Facebook), using the hashtags #TLCChallenge #Contestand #DanceOnDanceOff!
TLC are the headline act at this year’s Twin Cities Pride on June 22 at Loring Park! To celebrate, the beautiful Chilli took some time out to speak to Alexis & Dawn at myTalk 107.1!
You guys have performed at a lot of Pride celebrations. What can we expect at Twin Cities Pride?
Chilli: Well, it’s always a big party. That’s the best way to describe a TLC performance. It’s very entertaining, super high energy. I still go to the gym — I work out, I’ll say that, in addition to everything else!
You are gonna do the songs we all know and love, right? Because Madonna said she isn’t going to do any of her old songs on her tour!
Chilli: Of course! I wouldn’t advise that, she’s the queen! I don’t know why she said that.
She gets a little crazy sometimes!
Chilli: You said that, not me! (laughs)
You had this tomboy image that I loved. I played with boys growing up, and it allowed me to be myself. Did you have any push back with your image when you first came out?
Chilli: Honestly, we did not, with the label. LA [Reid] understood 100% the type of group that we were — and still are. We like to call ourselves prissy tomboys, because we’re still feminine, but we don’t dress all extra, extra sexy.
Well, you’re the sexy one, Chilli!
Chilli: I don’t know how I got that title! When I think of ‘CrazySexyCool’, I think I’m more ‘cool’ than ‘sexy’. We argue that point all the time. But we like to think of it like it’s our version of ‘I’m Every Woman’.
Is the TLC Broadway show still in the works?
Chilli: Yes, we are. It’s funny, because I was not supposed to talk about that at the time (back in March). And I didn’t know until after the fact! Oops! Let’s just say, you heard right!
Do you make your own chili?
Chilli: I don’t even know how to make chili! That’s funny, right? And sadly, I can’t eat chili because I have acid reflux, it hurts my tummy. Maybe make me a white bean chili — and no meat!
What TV shows are you watching?
Chilli: I love Nat Geo Wild! I know, I’m boring. But it’s so soothing and relaxing, and I’m getting educated at the same time. I love Lifetime. I always get caught up in that show ‘Married At First Sight’. I would never do anything like that! I can’t believe they do it. It’s crazy. But it’s good.
Did your think you’d still be touring after all these years?
Chilli: I would always hope and pray that we would be the type of group that could. When your first starting out, you have all these hopes and dreams, and that drives you. When you get involved on the business side, it can taint those dreams. But you can’t let that happen. And when you’re in the studio recording, you hope and pray that this song has longevity. Only time will tell, you just never know. We are so blessed to have the catalog that we have and people still want to hear and see us. It’s amazing.
We think you’re the cool one! CrazySexyCool!
Chilli: You know what I mean? When you meet T-Boz, you tell her that! I think T-Boz is the sexy one, but we’re all crazy!
Tickets to see TLC at Twin Cities Pride still available atTCPride.org!
Many of her diehard fans were in attendance, including the lovely Carl, one of the biggest TLC fans ever! Here’s how his night at the party went down, in his own words!🎉
“Fans arrived around 5:30pm. T-Boz arrived around 5:45pm. She went downstairs to prep for the event. A steady flow of fans kept arriving throughout the beginning of the party.
The first thing that fans had to do was give their phones up. We received a ticket that matched the ticket of our phones. Also, the fans were treated to food and drinks. It was a reunion for a lot of TLC fans. There was a lot of “Hellos” and hugging.
T-Boz with Carl
There was a music mix of TLC songs and today’s hit songs. The house was hot! The AC couldn’t keep up with all the hot bodies. The windows and patio door had to be opened to funnel some of the heat out of the house.
T-Boz was downstairs and a line formed to go down and take pics with her. Finally, the hostess, T-Boz, came from downstairs to make her appearance and to hang with the fans. She hugged and mingled with so many fans. She showed a lot of love. She gave everyone their special time with her.
Anthony with T-Boz
The food flowed steadily. It was a lot of talking and mingling. T-Boz was showered with gifts. Next, there was more dancing. T-Boz and about three fans started a TLC dance class. The fans did TLC dances and was taught some TLC moves.
Other fans watched while the dancing was going on. One request was made by one fan. The fan wanted to hear one of T-Boz’s solo songs. The song was “Stronger Than You Know.” T-Boz had the DJ play the song and said that it was one of her original oldest songs that she had written.
After the dancing, everyone clapped. There was so much fun going on. T-Boz mingled some more then she headed downstairs for more pictures. Fans got to take pictures with T-Boz in a photo booth as well as professional pics by a photographer. This was the second round of pics.
T-Boz with Janel in the photobooth
The line formed and people went down one by one to have their pic time with T-Boz. After all the pics were taken, the event was coming to a close. Fans started to head home. Some lingered a bit.
Finally, the event was over. It was one of the best TLC experiences fans could have ever had. Fans got to actually hang out with the person they so admired. T-Boz was very gracious. She was happy. She apologized for the situation.
Carl with T-Boz’s daughter, Chase Rolison
Oh, also, T-Boz’s daughter was at the event and partying with us as well. Chase is very sweet and giving to let us take time out with her Mama. Fun was had by all. This event will never be forgotten.
Much love to T-Boz, Chase, the photographer, the chef, and the rest of the crew. The event was a success!!!!”
Leon@TLCArmy
