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T-Boz Moves to Tennessee and Plans To Work On Country Pop Songwriting and Movie Scripts Plus TLC Musical Update

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The ‘T’ of TLC superstar Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins recently sat down for a chat with xoNecole‘s London Alexaundria in January along with Tionne’s daughter Chase Rolison, to shed light on how they wanted to support the tragic wildfires in LA.

Chase recently launched her own Y2K-inspired vintage store, ‘Anela’s Vintage‘, an online vintage fashion boutique. The proceeds will benefit the LA Fire Department, which has been working tirelessly to put out the wildfires ravaging the city.

As well as becoming a fashion and beauty entrepreneur, Chase is also the official makeup artist for TLC, which is a perfect match for the ladies, as Chase knows their beauty needs so well.

“Chase is our makeup artist, for me and Chilli“, T-Boz explains. “Chilli is one of the most pickiest people on this planet! She makes all of our makeup artists feel bad. But she doesn’t do that to Chase. So, when she asked if Chase could be our makeup artist, I was [amazed]. Chase is the perfect person to do this”.

T-Boz launches Chase’s Closet (2005)

The multi-platinum artist reveals she recently moved to Tennessee and is looking forward to writing with country artists. “I want to start working with some country artists, because I’m good at writing pop and country pop. I want to beef up my catalog”.

T-Boz is grateful to finally own her own masters and reveals that companies are eager to get a chance to buy them. “The people are approaching me to sell my music, because I own my own masters and publishing. It took Lord knows how long to get to that point, but I’m here God, I’m here!”

She also wants to get into producing films and has been writing movie scripts, which she firstly did in 2005 with T.I. on the movie ‘ATL’. “I’m into writing movie scripts, so I want to start producing movies, because that’s all I do — watch movies”, T-Boz exclaims.

“I don’t believe in doing something that I’m not good at, but I know I’m good at that”, T-Boz states proudly. “My scripts are — they are some good scripts, I know they are! I have some people interested right now, so look out for me behind the cameras”.

As for the upcoming TLC musical, ‘CrazySexyCool: The TLC Musical‘, T-Boz explains that it will be something different to the previously told stories about TLC’s history. “It’s not going to be typical, like behind the music and all that. It’ll be more like the strength and triumph of three females and probably through the eye lens of the lyrics of our songs, if that makes sense,” T-Boz said.

“So I think it’ll be done differently. It’s time consuming. This is the third year we’ve been working on it, but it actually will hit Broadway next year, and I’m nervous about that. Like, she gets nervous. I get nervous.”

What do you think about T-Boz’s move to Tennessee? Are you looking forward to some T-Boz country pop? T-Boz movie? And the TLC musical?

Announcement, Appearance, Awards, Interview, News, Tribute

GloRilla Pays Homage to TLC’s Left Eye at 2024 MTV Video Music Awards

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GloRilla had social media buzzing when she made her appearance on the red carpet at New York City’s UBS Arena on September 12 for the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards.

GloRilla decided to pay tribute to the late TLC star, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, rocking a similar hairstyle to Lisa from her appearance at the 2000 Soul Train Awards,  where she served as the host that year.

“I sat with my stylist EJ [King] and we came up with a few ideas,” GloRilla tells Vogue. “This vibe just felt right.”

Left Eye’s Former Hairstylist Speaks On Late Rapper’s Edgy Looks
Left Eye at the 2000 Soul Train Awards

GloRilla and EJ enlisted designer Bent Kahina for the custom red carpet ensemble. Sadai Banks was tapped for makeup, and Coca Michelle for nails. Hairstylist and wig maker Tokyo Stylez was tasked with recreating Lopes’s famous hairstyle—marked by multiple three-plait braids morphing into rings, and heavy bangs.

“I’m a fan of a lot of great female artists that came before me, so I wanted to pay a tribute to them,” Glorilla says, adding that the opportunity to perform at the VMAs “meant everything,” to her. “I’m truly blessed!”

GloRilla at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards

Marie Brown (formerly Davis), was TLC’s original and long-term hairstylist. She was also responsible for many of Left Eye’s most iconic hairdos, including the afro-futuristic braids she wore at the 2000 Soul Train Awards.

“The circles are the little round pieces of styrofoam”, Marie tells Essence. “Styrofoam from Michael’s. You wrap them around, and they’re just braided on and connected onto her hair. I was just always trying to do something different. I was trying to always reach a different level with her and she was just free to do it.”

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_3xlBNOTcE/?igsh=YWo4M2xvdTl2dW52

GloRilla didn’t win any of the awards in her nominated categories, but she stole the show as she rapped her hit singles “Yeah Glo!” and “TGIF”.

GloRilla, real name Gloria Woods, is very much a fan of TLC and is honored to share her appreciation for the ladies at every opportunity she can.

This isn’t the first time GloRilla has paid homage to Left Eye. She also paid tribute to Left Eye with her fashion choices at the 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards.

GloRilla struck up a close relationship with the surviving members of TLC earlier this year at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards, where she was honored with introducing T-Boz and Chilli to the stage for a special performance.

TLC surprised the audience with a performance of their hit single, “Waterfalls,” featuring a guest appearance by Latto.

What were your thoughts on GloRilla paying homage to Left Eye. Did she pull off the look?

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?

Appearance, News, Television, Tribute

Coi Leray Pays Homage to Left Eye and TLC During 2023 BET Awards Performance

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Hip-hop star Coi Leray pulled out all the stops at the 2023 BET Awards on June 25, when she decided to pay homage to some of the most iconic female rappers from past to present day!

Her two-piece custom outfit donned the names of icons and new stars alike, including Left Eye, Queen Latifah, Ice Spice, Doja Cat, Missy Elliott, Lady of Rage, Roxanne Shanté, Saweetie, City Girls, Gangsta Boo, Young M.A, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, BIA, Dej Loaf, Remy Ma, Trina, Khia, Shawnna, Flo Milli, Lola Brooke, GloRilla, Eve, Nicki Minaj and more.

The salute arrived nearly two weeks after Leray pleaded for her fellow female rappers to unite for a collaboration.

“Ain’t been a [No. 1] rap song at all this year,” she tweeted. “Calling all the female rappers to the front. [Hear] me out. ladies night. Hip hop. Unity. let’s make history with a number 1 … together .. with love. #justanidea.”

The last all female rap collaboration was 1997’s “Not Tonight (Ladies Night)“, featuring Lil’ Kim, Left Eye, Missy Elliott, Da Brat and Angie Martinez.

If you thought the black and white outfits looked familiar, that is largely due to the fact Leray used inspiration from TLC‘s iconic performance at the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards, paying homage not only to their fashion but also replicating the choreography they performed during their set.

The outfits were created by the talented fashion designer OtheezY, who has worked with Leray numerous times in the past, and KRONE, who said, “Coi and dancers in everything KRONE (Hand cut, sewn and stoned) and sleepless nights/countless hours of work by myself and my team”.

To celebrate the success of the performance, OtheezY included a fun fact on her Instagram page about how the performance idea first came together.

“Coi was like, I wanna be on some Left Eye shit, woman empowerment vibe, all leather!”, OtheezY recalls. “She was hyped! As soon as she said ‘LEFT EYE’, I said ‘TLC’! and the 1995 VMA iconic TLC performance came to mind. Coi wanted to give homage to old school and new school female MC’s, and I thought that was so freakin’ cool! Anywho, WE DID THAT!”

Watch the Coi Leray performance which was part of a Busta Rhymes tribute to celebrate his Lifetime Achievement Award!