If you missed TLC in action last weekend in San Diego, you missed out on a fantastic show!
The girls were part of this years KAABOO Del Mar 3-day music festival, and they shared the stage on the final day of the event on September 16 with Wiz Khalifa, Slash, Jewel and Katy Perry!
TLC and Katy Perry had some catching up backstage. Katy was famously named as one of the backers for TLC’s Kickstarter campaign in 2015, which funded last years self-titled album. (They have vowed to still make that slumber party happen!)
TLC, who usually perform last at the shows they headline, performed at a much earlier time, kicking off their set at 2:45PM, something they aren’t planning on getting used to. Nonetheless, they put on an amazing show, performing their hits back-to-back and taking the crowd Way Back!
Katy Perry closed the show with a final 90 minute performance of her Witness world tour, complete with 5 costume changes and plenty of, yes, Fireworks.
Back in 2000, the ‘L’ of TLC, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes announced to the world that she was embarking on a solo career, and began work on her first solo LP, ‘Supernova‘.
The project, which was also released on her group’s label, Arista, was slated to be released on her chosen date of August 16.
This date was important to Lisa, who was a strong believer in the power of numerology. “Something weird happened in my family,” Lisa explained to MTV News in 2001.
“My father died on August 16th and his father was born on August 16th“.
“It’s a very significant release date“.
To accompany her wishes, Arista initially announced the album to be released that same week on August 14 (new album releases in the US drop on a Tuesday).
However, because Arista failed to keep to their promise of releasing the album on this specific date, Lisa decided it was important for the world to hear the album on this date and streamed the entire album on her website, Eyenetics.com.
The label, which had not yet paid Lisa for her existing work on the album, requested her to return to the studio to record more tracks for the album to beef it up.
Lisa declined respectfully, and because Arista defaulted on her contract conditions, she was allowed to be freed from her legal obligations on the label, later signing to Suge Knight’s Tha Row label in 2002, where Lisa renamed herself N.I.N.A. (New Identity Non-Applicable). The project is available in full online.
Left Eye’s Eyenetics website
‘Supernova’ was unlike anything Lisa had released in the past, choosing to educate her listeners on spirituality and numerology on tracks like “Universal Quest“, “A New Star Is Born” and “Breathe“. She also had more bold and self-assured tracks like “I Believe In Me“, “Let Me Live” and “Hot!“, the latter being her original choice for first single.
It’s guest appearances included Blaque, Esthero, Carl Thomas, Jazze Pha, Andre Rison and a posthumous collaboration with 2pac.
‘Supernova’ tracklist
Lisa also changed her vocal style on the album, to be more spoken word and poetic. She was aiming for a new sound, something different to what she had produced with TLC.
“TLC’s music is pretty much pop and R&B“, Lisa told BBC. “My music is a bit more eclectic“.
Lisa was intending to release a puzzle with the album, which would help the listener decide on what track to play on the album. It features in her ‘Block Party‘ music video.
Whilst competing for prize money for charity on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, she told more about it. “There’s a puzzle that comes with my album, it’s called a dodecahydon. So, I kinda created that and I do all of the computer graphics.”
Despite the album never getting a release in the US, it was released overseas, following the moderate success of it’s first single, ‘The Block Party”, which reached the top 20 in the UK.
This underrated masterpiece deserves a full worldwide digital release on iTunes. Perhaps it will appear on Spotify one day, hopefully.
TLC proudly took the opportunity to be the headline act at this years San Diego Pride 2018 in Balboa Park on July 15th, and they did not disappoint.
Credit: MovementstillsCredit: crzysxyjeremy
Sporting some new, bold and bright fire fighter-styled costumes, the girls hit the stage and delivered all of their hits in true TLC style to a sold out sea of thousands of fans!
The girls kept the party going as they performed hit after hit, a perfect blend of their timeless classics along with brand new songs from their latest self-titled album.
Credit: Aaron GroonCredit: Mike Huete
The outfits, which were crafted by the amazingly talented fashion designer Brea Stinson, were inspired by this years trend for neon colours. “Neon is on trend for summer“, Brea told us. “High visibility is the wave this year, so I wanted to give the girls a pop of color.”
TLC have always stood up for equality and love for all, no matter the race, gender or sexuality of the person. Their messsages in their music are universal and current, this is why they are the perfect act to headline San Diego Pride!
The latest album ‘Scorpion‘ by the amazing Drake has just hit the streets (June 29), and it wouldn’t be the same without a little mention of TLC!
On the dark and moody track ‘After Hours’, where Drake is keeping an eye on his love interest as he fears she might be drifting from him, he references Left Eye and the TLC #1 smash, ‘Creep‘.
“Late night like Left Eye, I’m creepin’, assuming the worst ’cause I haven’t heard from you all weekend“, Drake croons.
Leon@TLCArmy
TLC-Army.com 