Music

Announcement, Interview

Vengaboys Tribute TLC in 90’s Throwback Single ‘1999 (I Wanna Go Back)’

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Dutch pop superstars Vengaboys took the world by storm back in 1999, when they released back-to-back hits such as “We’re Going To Ibiza!”, “We Like To Party! (The Vengabus)” and “Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!!”.

The energetic quartet, who are made up of D-Nice, Captain Kim, Sailor Robin and Cowboy Donny, have now taken a trip down memory lane and decided to release an ode to the 90’s in the form of the new single, “1999 (I Wanna Go Back)“, which is a cover of the 2019 Charli XCX single, “1999”, which also paid homage to the TLC “Waterfalls” video.

The music video makes the most of the WOMBO AI app technology to help bring some of the most notable and iconic album covers from the 90’s to life, such as TLC‘s ‘CrazySexyCool‘, Madonna’s ‘Bedtime Stories’, Janet Jackson‘s ‘janet.’, and Mariah Carey‘s ‘Rainbow’.

Other releases that are included in the video are by Britney Spears, Nirvana, Notorious B.I.G, Bjork, Will Smith, Justin Timberlake, Eminem, Dr. Dre and many others.

“We never stopped spreading love and fun. But this new century is not exactly cooperative. We feel a responsibility to bring the good times back!”, Robin said in a press statement.

“For us, the 90’s never stopped anyway. But we do notice that a lot of people are weighed down by a heavy mood, and it is kind of striking that this is so since the new millennium. I’m just saying…”, Donny adds.

“With this new single we hope to make up for the lost fun, and we’re ready to party like it’s 1999!”, says D-Nice.

“1999 (I Wanna Go Back)” is out now!

Announcement, Appearance, Television, Tribute

Spice Girls’ Mel B Takes On TLC Classic “Waterfalls” For Spain’s ‘Masked Singer’

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The Spice Girls have always been vocal about being huge fans of TLC and were inspired by them. Their influence could be heard on many of the tracks on the debut Spice Girls album, ‘Spice‘, in 1996.

Scary Spice Mel B was unmasked this week on the Spanish version of the popular television show, ‘The Masked Singer‘ (titled ‘Mask Singer Adivina Quién Canta’), where she performed for five weeks as Medusa the Jellyfish.

Melanie B decided to step it up a notch during week 5, and performed a notable TLC classic, 1995’s “Waterfalls“, from the Diamond-certified ‘CrazySexyCool‘ album. Mel even added a portion of Left Eye‘s iconic rap to her performance!

The judges on the panel initially thought that it was Australian star Kylie Minogue under the mask and even thought that it could be Mel’s Spice Girl bandmate, Geri Halliwell!

The British singer assured after being unmasked during her time at the Spanish ‘Mask Singer’ that although she had a bad time due to the tremendous weight of her mask, it was one of the fun things she has done. Mel previously took part in the British version of the show last year.

Mel B’s bandmate, Melanie C, previously worked with TLC member Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes in 2000, where they both scored their first ever UK number one on the single, “Never Be The Same Again“.

Last year, she tweeted about her fond memories of Lisa, saying “Never Be The Same Again, my 1st UK No1 & my collaboration w/ the wonderful Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes. Myself & the @spicegirls were huge @OfficialTLC fans. Couldn’t believe my luck when I had the opportunity to work w/ her. And she was perfect”.

Melanie C finally met T-Boz and Chilli in 2018 for the first time in London, and admitted that she found it very emotional. “I was so excited to meet them and I just burst into tears because it made me think of Lisa”.

What did you think of Mel B’s performance of “Waterfalls”?

Announcement, Appearance, Interview, News, Television

Shamari DeVoe Star of ‘BET Presents The Encore’: “Blaque’s Career Ended When Our Mentor Left Eye Passed Away”

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Shamari DeVoe of the much loved girl group Blaque, founded by Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, is currently starring in the cable television ratings winner, “BET Presents The Encore“, a reality show about nine former R&B artists coming together to form a super girl group!

Along with Shamari on the show are Pamela Long from Total, Kiely Williams from 3LW and the Cheetah Girls, Aubrey O’Day from Danity Kane, LeMisha and Irish Grinstead from 702, Felisha and Fallon King from Cherish and the only solo artist in the house, Nivea.

During the show, Shamari spoke about being thankful for Lisa’s mentorship and how the tragic 2002 passing of Lisa in a car accident in Honduras affected the career of her group, Blaque.

“The first album, ‘Blaque‘, was multi-platinum. And then, we were in the movie, ‘Bring It On‘. We were on top of the world!”, Shamari proudly tells the show’s producers about her career highs. “We had it all”.

Shamari shared the spotlight with her two Blaque group members, Brandi Williams and the late Natina Reed, who passed away in 2012. Blaque were discovered by Lisa’s brother, Ronald Lopes, who introduced them to Lisa and she had them signed up to Left Eye Productions company, eventually leading them to a recording contract with Columbia Records in 1996.

“Blaque are the protégé’s of Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes of TLC. She was our mentor — and then she passed away”, Shamari recalls. “That just stopped our whole career”. With the loss of Left Eye, Blaque also lost their biggest cheerleader.

“I definitely felt let down by the industry,” Shamari admits to The Guardian. “There was a point where I lost my passion to ever want to sing again.” Their second album, ‘Blaque Out‘ was scrapped by the label after online leaks, and the third album, ‘Torch‘, was also scrapped in 2003.

However, after heavy public demand in the form of fan petitions over the years, Blaque won back the rights to their recordings from one-time manager Mathew Knowles, and the album finally came out in 2019, 20 years since their debut.

“It feels really good to finally release it,” says Brandi. “And with us able to own these songs now, and our fans still wanting to hear them, I actually think this is perfect timing.”

“We’re doing this for Natina and Lisa”, Shamari adds.

Watch ‘BET Presents The Encore’ every Wednesday 10/9c on BET

Announcement

Chloe x Halle Cover TLC’s Classic “Waterfalls” Exclusively for Apple Music

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For Apple Music’s Juneteenth-inspired ‘Freedom Songs’, a collection of covers and originals, sisterly duo Chloe x Halle covered TLC’s “Waterfalls,” a track that conquered the pop charts of its day while staying true to TLC’s signature ’90s R&B-defining “around the way girl” aesthetic.

“This song speaks so much to who we are as artists and human beings,” the duo protegé’s of Beyoncé said. “We always say music is therapy to us because the lyrics are healing. There’s something about singing these words to yourself—it turns into an encouraging mantra that makes you feel inspired after listening.”

Back in June of 2020, Chloe x Halle shared a medley of covers to their YouTube page featuring songs by Lauryn Hill, Aaliyah, and TLC, saying they are three artists who have “inspired” their style.

Check out the full version of their rendition of “Waterfalls”, available exclusively on Apple Music and iTunes.

What are your thoughts on Chloe x Halle’s cover of “Waterfalls”?