Interview

Announcement, Interview, News, Tribute

Left Eye’s New Headstone to be Laid During 50th Birthday week, Update on ‘Supernova’ Album, Hologram and Biopic TV Series

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Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes would have celebrated her 50th birthday this week (May 27). Her sister, Reigndrop Lopes, took a moment to touch base with the fans to celebrate Lisa’s milestone birthday!

Just like she did last year for the first time, Reigndrop again decided to celebrate via simultaneous live streams on Instagram and Facebook, where she both offered Q&A sessions with fans and did some trivia questions for fans to win items with Left Eye on it.

  • Reigndrop Lopes on Facebook Live May 27, 2021

Reigndrop revealed that the new one-of-a-kind, 3D-textured headstone, created by Tim Morris aka Tim Cemetery which was announced in 2019, will finally be installed at Lisa’s gravesite at Hillandale Memorial Gardens in Stonecrest, Georgia on May 29.

“The next time you visit the gravesite you will see the new headstone”, Reigndrop announced to the fans. “We are laying it on the 29th”. Tim Cemetery also posted a cryptic message via Facebook on Lisa’s birthday, stating that he was on his way!

Reigndrop, Wanda and Ron Lopes unveil Left Eye’s updated headstone in 2019
Tim Cemetery on his flight to Atlanta to prepare for the instalment of Lisa’s new headstone

Future Left Eye music plans

“The music that we have left from Lisa, I’m probably going to use it for one of her film and book projects, and I’ll probably release a couple more. But I don’t like messing with and changing Lisa’s music as far as remixing it. I don’t like doing that, because she puts so much of her into the songs on “Supernova”, I kinda just want to leave them alone and use them like that. But, I may do a poetry book with her lyrics.”

Covering a Left Eye rap in a TLC song

“Of course [I would], any time! It would just have to be the right opportunity. I would do that in a heartbeat!”

Book plans

“I’m working on Lisa’s book. I’m actually working on two books. One book is a memory book, with people’s memories of Lisa. And one is her biography.”

Biopic TV series

“I’m working on her film which I actually want to be a series. It’s more fitting, because you can’t really fit someone’s entire life story in a 2-hour movie. It’s just not possible. I’ve always thought that, so I want it to be a series. I do not have a release date for it yet, as I am still working with the writer. When I get to the point where I think it’s ready to come out I will let the fans know first. I think I’ll do a documentary with lots of footage and then a series about her life”.

“Supernova” release on streaming platforms

“My family own Lisa’s masters, so you don’t have to go to anyone else to ask them to put it out on streaming. We’re working on it, we’re working on a lot of other stuff, so just be patient. Timing is everything, it’s going to come out when it’s supposed to come out. Just know that your voices are being heard and we’re working on it. A lot of things are happening at the same time which is overwhelming, so we have to pace it out. But it will be out, I promise”.

First time meeting T-Boz and Chilli

That was so long ago! I don’t really remember because when TLC first came out I wasn’t aware of how big the group was, I just saw them as my sisters friends, until TLC became more established I realised how big they were. But yeah, they were like my big sisters. They will always be family”.

Left Eye Hologram

“I’m okay with it but how do you guys feel about a Left Eye hologram? I think it would be dope! I’m definitely for it.”

Keep up with the latest on Reigndrop Lopes on Instragram.

For more info on the work of Cemetery Tim follow him on Instagram.

Do you want to see a Left Eye hologram?

Announcement, Appearance, Interview, News

T-Boz & Chilli Add Some TLC on Tiana Kocher Single “Same Lame”

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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.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNdPbAOHKHs/?igshid=1lhux6d170le0

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.

To learn more about Tiana, check out her website https://www.tianakocher.com/about/

You can hear the full track with TLC below. Let us know your thoughts on the new single!

History, Interview

Kandi: “I Wasn’t Sure ‘No Scrubs’ Would be a TLC Single With Chilli on Lead Vocals Instead of T-Boz”

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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!

Announcement, Interview, Lifestyle, News

T-Boz Confirms That TLC Will Not Be Touring Again Until The COVID-19 Pandemic Is Over

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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.