Singer-songwriter Tiana Kocher surprised the world today (April 9) with the release of her new single, “Same Lame“, which appeared to feature some very familiar TLC vocals on the track!
She initially revealed that the single featured T-Boz, and had this to say about the amazing collaboration when she spoke to Clout. “Growing up I’ve always listened to TLC and I consider them one of my biggest inspiration when it comes to my music alongside SWV, Aaliyah, Brandy, Tamia and others.”
Speaking of working with her TLC idols, Tiana says it “was definitely a big ‘pinch me’ moment and I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to work with her and learn from her. We wanted to create the “No Scrubs” of 2021 so this is how the song came about. I want this song to serve as a friendly reminder to always remember your worth.”
TLC fans were quick to notice that Chilli’s distinct tones could also be heard with the harmonies along with T-Boz, leading to Tiana announcing the surprise and updating the credentials on her social media.
The talented singer-songwriter Candace Wakefield also worked on the track with her. Candace worked on various tracks for the final TLC album in 2017.
Tiana collaborated with TikTok to raise money for the Philippine Red Cross through her #DontTripChallenge, which has generated over 24 million views marking an amazing “staying connected” awareness and community campaign, as well as driving much needed funds to the charitable organization.
Kandi Burruss of the 90’s R&B girl group Xscape and most recently known as a long-term cast member on Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Atlanta, opened up to Entertainment Weekly this week about some of the mega-hits that she has helped to carve out for other artists during her Xscape downtime.
Along with her group member Tameka “Tiny” Harris, the duo penned a number of Billboard number one hits and Grammy Award winning singles, most notably for their girl group peers, “Bills, Bills, Bills” for Destiny’s Child, and before that, the worldwide record-breaking “No Scrubs” for TLC.
Kandi reflects on the moment record label boss LA Reid got hold of her “No Scrubs” demo, produced by Shek’spere, and immediately wanted it for TLC. “I was like, ‘Cool. Let them have it’, because I always wanted to write for other artists, I just didn’t know how to do it”, Kandi admits.
She then touches on the subtle rivalry the industry placed on girl groups. It was also no secret that Jermaine Dupri wanted himself a group like TLC, and would guide Kandi to sing low like T-Boz. “There’s always that low-key rivalry thing that would go around in the industry. It was like, ‘How are you going to get somebody else to let you write for them, and you’re in a whole other girl group?'”
Despite “No Scrubs” being hugely successful and remains her biggest writing credit to date, Kandi admits that she wasn’t completely sure if the song would make it on the 1999 ‘FanMail‘ album at all.
The main reason for Kandi’s uncertainty was the fact that “No Scrubs” marked the first time the roles had switched on a TLC single, with Chilli leading the vocals on the track instead of the regular formula of T-Boz on lead vocals.
“They were going back and forth on what they wanted to do with the song because that’s the first song that Chilli sang lead on. So that’s why I wasn’t really sure if that song was going to be a first single, or even a single at all. Normally, T-Boz was the lead, so I didn’t know if they were going to keep it”, Kandi said.
LA Reid later ran into Kandi at a party and promised her that he was going to make “No Scrubs” the biggest writing hit of her career. “I’m looking at him like, ‘Okay.’ But in my mind I was thinking, ‘Well Xscape, we’ve had some big records… Whatever you say.’ But he wasn’t lying. He was serious, and he really did.”
Chilli did her thing on “No Scrubs” and helped the song to go down in history as the biggest female anthem in the world, that men can also relate to! The song took on a life of it’s own and Left Eye once called it ‘a national anthem’!
Switching up the vocal format was a smart idea which helped to keep TLC fresh and on top of their game.
Which other TLC songs would you want the girls to have fun with? T-Boz leads on “No Scrubs”? Chilli on “Waterfalls” leads? Let us know!
CLARKSTON, MICHIGAN – AUGUST TLC perform onstage at DTE Energy Music Theater on August 17, 2019 in Clarkston, Michigan. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton)
Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins gave her fans a treat with a surprise appearance on her Instagram Live today (Jan 17, 2021). The gorgeous singer-songwriter had a brief catch up with fans, whilst she sat in a dimmed room in the new home she recently moved into in Atlanta.
T-Boz gave a few fans the opportunity to speak to her directly on camera during the Instagram Live session, which warmed the hearts of every star-struck fan that was randomly selected to talk to her.
During the quick session, a fan asked her when TLC would be heading back on tour. T-Boz made it very clear that her health is paramount, so she will not be doing anything to put herself or her family at risk of contracting coronavirus — but she is still very open to working from home remotely via Zoom.
“I’m not doing a thing until every fucking cootie is gone!”, T-Boz admits. “Until then, I’m gonna be on Zoom working and behind the scenes somewhere, anything I can do from the crib”.
TLC in a remote performance of “Baby-Baby-Baby” with DJ Cassidy in 2020
“On a serious note, we all have pre-existing conditions”, T-Boz reveals. “My daughter has Lupus and Sjögren’s, I have sickle cell and my mom had cancer, Lupus — she got a whole God damn list! We can’t afford to catch one cootie”.
T-Boz also reveals that her brother, Carnoy “Kayo” Watkins, is currently recovering from COVID-19 with his family and are on lockdown, so she is unable to see him for the time being. “They are doing good, and that’s a blessing. But, I have had a lot of people lose people and stuff, and I can’t have that”, T-Boz says. “I’m not about to let that [happen to] my family — and people be getting offended and I feel like, fuck your feelings. Have a coke and a smile and get over it! (laughs)”.
Another fan, who was a school teacher, touched on the beauty of home schooling, as it can be beneficial to children, as they are receiving the undivided attention and care of their loved ones, at a pace that is suitable for them. T-Boz co-signed and said that she herself is more of a visual learner, as are her kids, daughter Chase Rolison, and baby son Chance, who was present with his mom having a fun time talking with the fans.
Tionne’s kids Chase and Chance
T-Boz states that because of her lifestyle, travelling the world, her kids don’t have a regular lifestyle because they usually join her on the road, so home schooling is perfect for them. “I think [Chance] will do better at my pace, at our pace, at our time because we’re not morning people, at all”, T-Boz says.
“I have rock and roll babies, it’s just the way it is and it’s how we work. Because their mother stays up late — that’s my job. They travel on tour buses with me — that’s my life. So, it became theirs by default”.
TLC are currently working on the A&E documentary “BIOgraphy: TLC“, set to air on the network later on in the year, which will be directed by Matt Kay, and executive-produced by Roger Ross Williams.
In the meantime, for some more T-Boz love, feel free to hit her up on Cameo! You can request a special personalized video shout out from the ‘T’ of TLC, or send her text messages to show your appreciation to the legendary lady.
We wish Kayo and his family a very speedy recovery!
Stay tuned for further details about live shows that have been postponed due to the pandemic.
Despite the entertainment industry being forced to be put on hold during the global pandemic, the ladies of TLC have been given some time to focus on other projects that they were previously negotiating but were always pushing back because of major touring opportunities that took priority.
TLC finally decided to reveal to Rolling Stone that they are producing an all-new documentary! The two-hour special, titled ‘Biography: TLC‘, will chronicle the journey of the top-selling girl group throughout their career in the Nineties and beyond, featuring interviews with surviving members T-Boz and Chilli. ‘Biography: TLC’ will be directed by Matt Kay, and executive-produced by Roger Ross Williams (The Apollo) and his production company with Geoff Martz, One Story Up.
In addition to the stories that we all know and love in previous documentaries such as VH1’s ‘Behind The Music’, MTV’s ‘BIO Rhythm’, ‘Life In 3D’, and the Netflix special, ‘Once In A Lifetime Sessions‘, there is going to be some exclusive stories in ‘Biography: TLC’ that the public have never heard before and it will feature insights to the girls lives that the public have never seen before.
“The Biography banner has always focused on telling the stories of remarkable people who have had a major impact on our collective culture,” A&E Network EVP and head of programming Elaine Frontain Bryant said. “As a revolutionary group that broke boundaries and influenced an entire generation, TLC falls directly into that category and we are honored to tell their incredible story as it has never been told before.”
“As someone who has long been in awe of TLC and their musical and cultural impact, I am thrilled to be a part of bringing the story of their music, their journey, and their continuing reverence to the screen,” Williams said in a press release. “I am grateful for the opportunity to work with A&E, as well as filmmaker Matthew Kay, to bring this film to life. We hope this film illuminates a side of this incredible group and Tionne ‘T-Boz’ Watkins, Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes, and Rozonda ‘Chilli’ Thomas that long-time fans and viewers alike have not seen before.”
Leon@TLCArmy
