Announcement, Appearance, History, Interview, News, Television, Tribute

A&E Producing ‘Biography: TLC’ Documentary In 2021

Despite the entertainment industry being forced to be put on hold during the global pandemic, the ladies of TLC have been given some time to focus on other projects that they were previously negotiating but were always pushing back because of major touring opportunities that took priority.

TLC finally decided to reveal to Rolling Stone that they are producing an all-new documentary! The two-hour special, titled ‘Biography: TLC, will chronicle the journey of the top-selling girl group throughout their career in the Nineties and beyond, featuring interviews with surviving members T-Boz and Chilli. ‘Biography: TLC’ will be directed by Matt Kay, and executive-produced by Roger Ross Williams (The Apollo) and his production company with Geoff Martz, One Story Up.

In addition to the stories that we all know and love in previous documentaries such as VH1’s ‘Behind The Music’, MTV’s ‘BIO Rhythm’, ‘Life In 3D’, and the Netflix special, ‘Once In A Lifetime Sessions‘, there is going to be some exclusive stories in ‘Biography: TLC’ that the public have never heard before and it will feature insights to the girls lives that the public have never seen before.

“The Biography banner has always focused on telling the stories of remarkable people who have had a major impact on our collective culture,” A&E Network EVP and head of programming Elaine Frontain Bryant said. “As a revolutionary group that broke boundaries and influenced an entire generation, TLC falls directly into that category and we are honored to tell their incredible story as it has never been told before.”

“As someone who has long been in awe of TLC and their musical and cultural impact, I am thrilled to be a part of bringing the story of their music, their journey, and their continuing reverence to the screen,” Williams said in a press release. “I am grateful for the opportunity to work with A&E, as well as filmmaker Matthew Kay, to bring this film to life. We hope this film illuminates a side of this incredible group and Tionne ‘T-Boz’ Watkins, Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes, and Rozonda ‘Chilli’ Thomas that long-time fans and viewers alike have not seen before.”

Are you excited about the new TLC documentary?

Announcement, News, Tribute

Left Eye Stage Show “2 The Left” Available To Stream For The First Time

This incredible one-woman show, ‘2 The Left‘, performed solely by talented actress Kerisse Hutchinson, returns to the spotlight this year with a very limited availability online to stream for the first time, courtesy of the Aurora Theater.

‘2 The Left’ is an inspiring music-filled, multimedia experience chronicling the life and spiritual journey of Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, controversial member of the 90s pop music phenomenon, TLC.  This play with music focuses on a young woman of color and the challenges that she encounters as she embarks on a journey to find her artistic voice and purpose.  

‘2 The Left’ allows the audience to take a glimpse at the woman behind the legend and discover how her path might mirror our own. We reported on this amazing show when it was originally announced last year when it debuted in Atlanta. Recorded at the Aurora Theatre as part of its ‘Our Stage Onscreen’ series, the digital production will be available through until November 8, 2020.

Kerisse was so dedicated and determined to fulfil this passion for the role, that she took up an invitation to visit the USHA healing village in Honduras by Lisa’s brother, Ronald Lopes, to truly get a feel of who Lisa was and what she wanted to share with the world. “Kerisse took a moment out of her life to experience some of the things that Lisa experienced, to be able to tell a truer story about Lisa”, Ron says proudly.

Kerisse reveals that although Lisa’s story is bittersweet, it is full of depth, hope and insightful teachings that we can all learn from. “The bitter is removed when you realize that where Lisa’s journey ends, ours begins to be lived out more fully and boldly”, Kerisse says.

For a limited time, you can get a discount off the price for the show, by using the promo code TLCARMY on the website here.

Thanks to the Aurora Theatre!

 

Announcement, Interview, News, Rumor

T-Boz Has Respect For Drake, T.I. and Nelly, But Confirms L.A. Reid Indeed Turned His Back On TLC

Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins spoke with TMZ this week to clear up some things that had made the headlines last week, following her interview with ‘Hollywood Unlocked where she had named some of the people that hadn’t fully supported TLC, following the tragic loss of the beloved Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes.

Tionne says that she was actually referring to the promoters and industry executives in charge that had turned their backs on TLC after the loss of Lisa rather than other artists, most notably their former LaFace Records boss, L.A. Reid. “L.A. didn’t stop rocking with us because he didn’t believe in us anymore, it was something personal which I’ll always keep between us”, Tionne admits. “Whether I agreed with it or not, he out of respect called me, and I’ll just leave it like that”.

“The final decision was to not rock with us, but it wasn’t because he didnt believe in us, so I’ll clear that part up”, Tionne clarifies. “But, he did decide to turn his back and keep on going, and that’s fine, it’s business”.

To recap, TLC had inked a deal with L.A. Reid back in 2013 on Epic Records, the label he was the head of at the time. Fresh after the success of their hit VH1 movie, ‘CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story‘, and the release of it’s soundtrack, ‘20‘, featuring the track “Meant To Be“, TLC were in the studio recording their first studio album since 2002’s ‘3D‘.

However, shortly during the recording process, the deal was mysteriously terminated, leaving fans confused and upset. The girls had said they would reveal what happened but have since decided to keep it personal. L.A. Reid had insisted that he did not drop the girls, saying that they are friends for life.

The following are excerpts from an LA Times article, documenting some of the tracks TLC were working on at the time. ‘TLC recently issued “Meant to Be,” their first single since 2003. The saccharine, Ne-Yo-crafted ballad is the lone new track from the biopic’s soundtrack, “20,” and came from recent sessions that include collaborations with Dallas Austin and Lady Gaga, who penned a track called “P.O.S.H. Life.” They also hope to log studio time with Drake and 2 Chainz.’

After another check on Thomas, Watkins slid into a dimly lit booth to take a stab at another song — an angsty, guitar-driven pop-rock ballad called “Breaking Bad.” “If I die before I wake, at least I know I lived for something,” she sang. “If this breath is the last I take, I don’t want it to be for nothing.”’

The media also spun her comments as an attack on fellow musicians Drake, T.I. and Nelly for pulling out on the girls for their 2014 Super Bowl Blitz on VH1. However, Tionne was glad to clear up that misconception and says there are no hard feelings against any of the rappers.

“I was actually saying it in a good way, because [that show] turned out great for us. Because God always makes things go exactly how it’s supposed to, I’m a believer in that”, Tionne says. “I am happy that they actually didn’t show up, because it showed that we had staying power. That we can still rock on stage without the bells and whistles and other people to save us.”

Tionne also admits that she doesn’t blame the artists for not wanting to rock with them at that time, as no one really knew if continuing without Lisa was going to work out or not. “I’ve got respect for Drake, Nelly and T.I., I don’t want it to sound like it was being messy. They made it sound like I said they turned their back on TLC, child, that’s business”, she says.

“To keep it honest, if I was the artist and I didn’t know the state of the group, I’d be scared too! I’d be like, ‘hell naw, I don’t know what y’all doing’. That’s business, y’all, that’s the way the industry goes. I’m not mad”.

Announcement, News

RIAA Update Sales of TLC’s “No Scrubs” Confirming 5x Platinum Status

The RIAA have officially confirmed that the sales of TLC‘s anthem “No Scrubs” have significantly boosted since it’s release back in March 1999. On October 13, 2020 the RIAA stated that the iconic hit was 5x platinum, a major increase since it’s previous gold certification on April 27, 1999.

This serves as great news for the girls and for the fans, who have been eagerly waiting for the RIAA to update the certifications of TLC’s record and album sales, most of which have not been updated since their original time of release.

Last year, we revealed that the ‘CrazySexyCool‘ album was re-certified by the RIAA to reflect the additional sales of the masterpiece, which is now 12x platinum. It’s previous certification was two decades ago on July 2, 1999 when it was officially 11x platinum. A large portion of the album sales increased as a result of the hit VH1 movie, ‘CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story’, which both T-Boz and Chilli served as executive producers.

Other TLC releases hoping for updated RIAA certifications include the ‘FanMail’ album, (which the girls claim is very close to going diamond) was certified 6x platinum on June 26, 2000; ‘3D‘, last certified x1 platinum on December 10, 2002; ‘Ooooooohhh on the TLC tip‘, last certified as 4x platinum on May 1, 1996.

And the singles, “Waterfalls“, certified 1x platinum on July 31, 1995; “Creep“, certified x1 platinum on January 6, 1995; “What About Your Friends“, certified gold on November 19, 1992; “Unpretty“, certified gold on September 20, 1999; “Hands Up/Girl Talk“, certified gold on May 15, 2003; “Baby-Baby-Baby“, certified 1x platinum on September 29, 1992; “Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Beg“, certified as 1x platinum on May 15, 1992; “Diggin’ On You“, certified as gold on January 3, 1996; “Red Light Special“, certified gold on April 17, 1995.

Sony Music Entertainment celebrates some of the biggest hits of the 90’s with the premiere of My 90s Playlist, a new podcast exploring some of the decade’s most iconic songs and groundbreaking artists. The show’s first episode features a deep dive into the history of hit R&B group TLC and the making of their chart-topping single “No Scrubs.” Listen to the podcast here.

In the meantime, give “No Scrubs” a listen on a streaming service of your choice to celebrate it’s milestone!