While most people saw Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes as just the crazy rapper in TLC, many people will know that her talents were much deeper, as showcased on her debut solo album, 2001’s ‘Supernova‘, which she recorded for Arista Records during TLC’s hiatus after the success of 1999’s ‘FanMail‘.
Grammy award-winning mixing engineer Gary Noble worked with Lisa on the project, most notably with Salaam Remi on the album’s first single, “The Block Party“. Gary spoke with Revolt TV about some of his fondest memories of working with the multi-talented Lopes.
“I loved working with Lisa. She was really cool. To be honest, before we worked with her and they told us to go work with her, I was a little apprehensive. I didn’t know what to expect because of all of the media. When she came in, she was dressed down, had fatigues on, a hat on, no makeup, and was like, ‘I’m here. I’m ready. Let’s work.’
Left Eye’s debut solo album ‘Supernova’
She was a prolific writer and those sessions made me realize she was the main creative force of TLC. She can sing sing, for real. People might write her off as the crazy third member, but she was actually a major creative force. I had a great time working with her.
She was very personable and cool. She was asking questions. When she first was recording, I noticed there were some sibilances and pops in her vocals. So, I adjusted the mic and she asked me, ‘Yo, why are you changing it?’ I told her it’ll help lessen the pops and sibilances.
When I did it and she sang she was like, ‘Oh, this sounds a lot better.’ Instead of me doing it at the boards, I went in and adjusted the mic. It helped her still keep the presence of her vocals, but still have the blast of air from your mouth hitting the mic at an angle instead of straight on. It also made her extend her neck a little bit to help her project her voice.
She gave me the name and phone number for her doctor, Dr. Sebi. She’s the first one who ever told me about him. She was like, ‘Gary, if you ever get the chance, go see him. He’s a great guy. You’re going to love his energy and his spirit.’
When she died, she was actually down there for her annual sabbatical where she goes to get a cleansing. It was sad that she died. She was an extremely talented, personable person.”
Read more about Gary’s studio experiences with other superstars including Amy Winehouse, Lauryn Hill and Nas.
The loving family of the late, great Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes have decided to give the superstar and the ‘L’ of TLC some extra love, in the form of a complete renovation of her original headstone at her resting place at the Hillandale Memorial Gardens in Stonecrest, Georgia.
Tim Morris aka Cemetery Tim has been commissioned to do the honors of creating a brand new headstone to replace the first headstone, which was laid down in 2002 with the lyrics to Lisa’s rap verse in TLC’s most iconic hit to date, “Waterfalls“.
Left Eye’s original headstone in Atlanta
Tim has created new headstones for other music stars in the past. He has previously worked on a new tombstone for the hip-hop legend Eric “Eazy-E” Wright of N.W.A, the 8-time Latin Grammy-award winning Tejano musician Jimmy González (front man of the group Mazz), and most recently the King of laid back, catchy hooks, Nate Dogg.
Tim initially announced his involvement in the production of a new Left Eye headstone back in May via his Facebook, after having a nice phone call with her family. He promised that his beautiful design for her headstone will truly represent the star.
Tim unveils his work on headstones for Eazy E (above) and Jimmy González (below)
“I’m going to start designing her beautiful new headstone, and you can guarantee that it will truly represent her”, Tim said. “I am a big fan of her music and I truly feel blessed to be the one designing her final tribute. Stay tuned!!!”
Tim was also present at the 8th annual Left Eye Birthday Fundraiser held by her family on May 21 at Revel in Atlanta. Tim bagged himself an authentic Left Eye portrait during a charity auction held at the event.
Left Eye tribute monument in La Ceiba, Honduras
The new one-of-a-kind Left Eye headstone will be unveiled exclusively by Tim on November 9 at Perham Hall in Zillah, Washington between 4-6 PM. Left Eye’s family, mother Wanda and siblings Reigndrop and Ron, will also be in attendance at the free event.
DJ Garin Moore will supply the music for the night and deserts will be provided by Shorty’s Sweet Treats N Cake. Alcoholic beverages will also be available.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see her beautiful tribute before it’s shipped to her gravesite in Atlanta.
Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins is currently on a mission to share the incredible health benefits of using CBD with her fans across the world!
Back in September, the TLC star excitedly shared the secret of how she has prevented getting sick on the road whilst on the TLC tour with Nelly and Flo Rida — the use of CBD has worked wonders for her, so she wants everyone to improve their own health, too.
T-Boz confirmed today via an announcement on social media that her CBD line is now up and ready on her very own website!
She initially broke the news via a quick chat to fans on her Instagram, with her adorable 4 year old son, Chance, by her side, demanding his mom to come to bed as he shared a bedtime story with her 912k followers on the social network.
She explained that she was originally due to do some press to promote her new CBD line earlier, but she had some personal circumstances to handle. “I had some situations happen that I had to take care of in the family before I come out and do press, so stuff kinda got set back”, T-Boz said.
Ms Watkins says that the title of her CBD line is a play on words. “My CBD line is called TLCBD — so TL — Tender Loving — CBD! It’s not TLC, it’s TL — CBD”. The products will be available on her website SHOPTLCBD.COM, which will include CBD gummies, essential oils, drops for dogs, facial creams and more.
“One of my goals is to dispel myths, educate and provide accurate information about CBD. I think CBD is wonderful and it changed my life”, T-Boz said in a statement. “I want to break through the lies, misconceptions and the bad products and bring trust, education and quality CBD products to everyone.”
So, why did Tionne decide to create TLCBD? “Many people ask me that question”, she confessed. “I always start with the “Well, I wasn’t bored, that’s for sure”.
But the real reason is that I really wanted to create a wellness line that met the needs of people like me. I felt like there weren’t enough natural options when it comes to health and wellness products.
I was on tour and I was exhausted. My sickle-cell was kicking up, my skin looked like hell and I felt lousy. I literally couldn’t keep doing it. Something had to change. Someone suggested I try a full-spectrum CBD. IT CHANGED MY LIFE! And I knew, that minute, that I absolutely HAD to bring this product to my fans.
So why TLCBD? To do something good. To educate. To create something better than what already exists out there. And to support those who have supported me by making sure they have access to great products.
I really hope you all will love these products as much as I do.
Love,
T-Boz
Be sure to support T-Boz’s new CBD line by ordering her products at shoptlcbd.com
Also, please support her beautiful daughter, Chase Rolison, who launched a beauty line on her 19th birthday, Anela Beauty. You can check her make-up line at shopanelabeauty.com
TLC‘s biggest-selling album to date continues to achieve record-breaking sales, almost 25 years since it’s initial release in 1994!
‘CrazySexyCool‘ has officially earned itself a 12x platinum status, after becoming certified by the Recording Industry Association of America on October 11, 2019.
The album was last certified two decades ago on July 2nd, 1999, where the diamond-certified album had sold a whopping 11 million copies in the United States alone since it’s release on November 15, 1994.
It enjoyed an increase in sales in 2013, largely thanks to the VH1 biopic ‘CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story‘, which aired on October 21, 2013 and broke viewing records for a cable television movie. T-Boz and Chilli served as executive producers.
The album rose in sales continuously during that period, resulting in it’s steady pace of re-entries on the Billboard 200 album chart in 2013. It reached it’s peak position of #3 back on July 29, 1995.
‘CrazySexyCool’ now ties with the Dixie Chicks’ ‘Wide Open Spaces‘ album as the highest RIAA certified album by a female band (they are both currently 12x).
We’re just patiently awaiting the official updated sales for their 1999 follow-up, ‘FanMail‘, which the girls recently stated is also very close to achieving diamond status! With the recent exclusive re-release of the album, it shouldn’t be too long until this happens.
Leon@TLCArmy
TLC-Army.com 