Interview, News, Tribute

Doja Cat Reveals Her Visuals Are Inspired by TLC’s Left Eye, Missy Elliott and Busta Rhymes

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The Grammy award-winning hip-hop rap legend Doja Cat recently stopped by for a chat with the popular US YouTube talk show, ‘Hot Ones‘, to promote her latest album, ‘Scarlet‘, and it’s global number one, the record-breaking single, “Paint The Town Red“.

During the show appearance, Doja Cat was asked by the show host, Sean Evans, question’s about her ‘cartoonish’ animated visuals and what inspired her artistically. Doja Cat then revealed that amongst other greats from hip-hop during the 90’s including Busta Rhymes and Missy Elliott, she was also inspired by the late, great, and often underrated, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes.

Doja Cat ‘Hot Pink’ promo (2019)

Sean praised Doja Cat for returning to her rap roots on her latest album after she received some criticism from critics claiming that she isn’t a rapper, as she effortlessly blends her bars with her singing skills on the majority of her hits, including the number one single, “Say So“, amongst many others.

He then quoted a 2019 interview she did with Elle magazine, in which Doja Cat reveals that her mom is responsible for her TLC inspiration. “My mom loves music and it poured into my childhood”, she recalls. “She played Jamiroquai over and over, the same damn song. What was it? ‘Virtual Insanity?’ She played a lot of Black Eyed Peas, a lot of India Arie, Erykah Badu, a lot of TLC.”

Doja Cat performs at Victoria’s Secret (2023)

In response to her wish to take things back to the 90’s when artists took more of an animated approach to their visuals, Doja Cat said, “Rap back in the day was a lot more [camp] — I don’t even know if it was better then or better now, I just get very excited when I see rappers that are interested in their visuals in a way that they are ready to so something new and twist things, and do something camp”.

Doja Cat then detailed who she found most inspirational from that magical 90’s era. “I feel like Busta [Rhymes] was a pioneer. His fashion back in the day was just ridiculously good and cool. I don’t know if he knows, but he’s cool. I feel like Missy [Elliott] is another big one, Left Eye is a big one — I feel like everyone was doing it really, really well back in the day, those were just a few I could name from the top of my head”.

Doja Cat in ‘Demons’ (2023)

Interestingly enough, Doja Cat’s left eye began to leak, leading her to comment, “I’m crying, and it’s just my left eye, and it had to happen on this day, too — and it’s not the [hot] wings”. Some fans believe this was a sign from Left Eye to signify her appreciation for being identified as one of Doja Cat’s inspirations. Who knows?

Doja Cat has given nods of homage to TLC in the past. She previously gave us “No Scrubs”-styled visuals in her music video, “Get Into It (Yuh)” in 2021. She was also styled like T-Boz in the video, with rhinestones on her face and bright red hair. This similarity was confirmed by her stylist.

Check out Doja Cat’s latest studio album, ‘Scarlet‘ out now!

Tickets to ‘The Scarlet Tour‘ are also on sale now!

Appearance, Event, News, Tribute

GloRilla Pays Homage to Left Eye at the BET Hip Hop Awards 2O23

Leon@TLCArmy's avatarLeon@TLCArmy 1 Comment

TLC fans love it when the girls are given props for inspiring other artists, as their style has always been so trendsetting and fashionable. So, it was pleasant to see the talented rap superstar GloRilla paying homage to the late, great Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes!

GloRilla decided to show some love to Left Eye this week at the BET Hip Hop Awards 2O23, by taking inspiration from Left Eye’s wardrobe that she wore at the Source Hip Hop Awards 1999, designed by her late uncle, Kyle Young.

Left Eye wore a brown suede outfit with a fur skirt and a thigh-high slit. She completed her unique outfit with a pair of knee-high, square-toe boots and drop earrings. As detailed by Popsugar, Glorilla’s skirt featured a strip of fabric around the waist mirroring her top, similar to Left Eye.

The skirt also included a thigh-high slit that exposed her pointed-toe boots. Though GloRilla’s colour scheme was noticeably darker than the original, her outfit was a beautiful nod to Left Eye from every angle. GloRilla even took a moment to pose for the camera with her arms outstretched, just like Left Eye did.

Fans immediately noticed the similarities between Glo’s outfit and Left Eye’s outfit and began posting about it on social media. GloRilla’s stylist EJ King soon confirmed that the similarities were indeed correct and that he thrives on seeing artists pay homage to Left Eye and TLC, as he too is a fan.

“When Glo said that she wanted to pay homage to Left Eye, I was excited to bring it to life”, EJ said on his Instagram post. “I think it’s so important and special to give the legendary girls their flowers and respect. And with it being the 50th year of Hip Hop, what better way to do it”. He went on to thank the team that helped him make the outfit on short notice — Daniel’s Leather and Angel Brinks.

GloRilla also posted the side-by-side image of herself and Left Eye with their outfits to further confirm who she was paying homage to.

EJ further stated his feelings on the homage on our Instagram post. “I get so overjoyed when I see Left Eye homage and flowers”, he said. “Because she really was that girl!”.

Even Lil’ Mama gave the tribute her seal of approval, saying, “I see what you did there”, on GloRilla’s post. Lil’ Mama has a strong connection with Left Eye, as she played the role of Left Eye in the smash TLC biopic, ‘CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story‘, in 2013.

What are your thoughts on GloRilla paying homage to Left Eye?

Announcement, Appearance, Event, News, Tribute

TLC Perform at iHeartRadio Music Festival 2023

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TLC are one of the exclusive guests performing for the first time at the iHeart Music Festival 2023! The two-day festival will be held on September 22 and 23, and TLC will take to the stage tonight (Sept 22).

This year, the festival is headed to Hulu allowing fans to livestream the event online!

In additon to TLC, other acts performing for the event include Kelly Clarkson, Foo Fighters, Travis Scott, Lil Wayne, Fall Out Boy, Kane Brown, Public Enemy, Miguel, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Lenny Kravitz, Sheryl Crow, Tim McGraw and Travis Scott. Pre-show performances will be done by Agnez Mo and Paul Cauthen and the event will be hosted by Ryan Seacrest.

If you want to get your last minute chance to see TLC live on stage at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, you may be able to get tickets through resale sites such as StubHub and Vivid Seats.

iHeartRadio are also launching a fun “House of Music” event for fans, inspired by the artists set to take over the main stage in Las Vegas performing at this years festival. Fans will be able to step into the “Homes” of headlining artists to experience multisensory, mixed-reality installations.

TLC at the iHeartRadio Music Festival 2O23

The free event is open to the public and invites guests to “make themselves at home” as they explore over 15 interactive rooms, diving into the lives, music, and passions of their favorite artists and brands.

TLC’s House of Music room. Credit: Todd Dallman

Guests will be directed to scan a QR code to unlock their key to the House of Music, the House Pass. The digital guide will showcase a map and details of all the things to explore, play and win at the House of Music.

According to super TLC fan Todd Dallman, the QR code for the TLC ”House” links you to the new TLC merch store, which you can access here.

The press release described the TLC room. “Strut your way into TLC’s fully decked out walk-in closet filled with inclusive of their signature looks and exclusive merch to buy, and strike a pose for the glam bot.”

The House of Music will be open September 22 and 23 at Toshiba Plaza right outside T-Mobile Arena, where the iHeartRadio Music Festival is set to take place. The House will be open to the public before, during and after the arena show starting at 4 p.m. and closing at 1 a.m.

TLC’s phenomenal performance at the festival was the highlight of the night for many of the attendees! The ladies pulled out all the stops, including additional dancers, to fill the arena stage and a full live orchestra to play along with them.

Set List:

  • Creep
  • Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Beg
  • What About Your Friends?
  • Red Light Special
  • Unpretty
  • No Scrubs
  • Waterfalls

Check out the full performance below:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=shared&v=yd3I8TN6z40

Announcement, Appearance, Event, Interview, News, Television

TLC Working With Hamilton Musical For Their Upcoming Musical, Plan New TLC Music & TV Show

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TLC revealed exclusively during a recent panel they were part of at ‘90s Con on Sunday (Sept 17) that the TLC musical that they have been working on will be a collaboration with the team behind the ground breaking Hamilton musical!

“We’re working on a Broadway play”, T-Boz stated when asked what plans TLC have in the works in the future. “The cool thing, we do have a lot of people that worked on Hamilton working with us for ours“, Chilli adds to the exciting announcement.

“I wanna audition!”, Joey Fatone of *NSYNC jokes after the initial announcement. Joey participated in the panel alongside TLC and Backstreet Boys’ Howie Dorough and AJ McLean.

TLC on the 90s Con music panel

The ladies were tight-lipped about any further details about their musical or which members of the Hamilton team they have been working with. However, T-Boz assured the crowd at the Tampa Convention Center in Florida that the musical would indeed come with some brand new TLC music.

“That means we’ll have new music for the play”, T-Boz confirms to the excited crowd who cheered and applauded the news.

To round off the announcement, T-Boz quickly adds, “And we’ll have a new TV show, which we can’t talk about [yet]”.

The Hamilton Broadway musical is a sung-and-rapped-through biographical musical with music, lyrics, and book by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Composed over a seven-year period from 2008 to 2015, the music draws heavily from hip-hop, as well as R&B, pop, soul, and traditional-style show tunes.

Scene from the ‘Hamilton’ musical

TLC first revealed details of their plans to produce a TLC musical back in 2019 whilst promoting their ‘Whole Lotta Hits’ tour with Nelly and Flo Rida. “We didn’t tell everything. I mean, we have so many stories to tell that we didn’t tell in our biopic on VH1. But it’s a lot of stuff, a lot of good stuff”, Chilli said.

“It’s going to be very emotional, but like a good ride. I’m very excited about it. I almost can’t believe it!”

Are you looking forward to the upcoming TLC musical, music and TV show?

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