TLC

One of the all-time top-selling female acts in music history, TLC connect as readily with R&B listeners as with pop fans by mixing infectious melodies and lively grooves with a spirited, self-assured vibe. During the 1990s, rapper Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes and vocalists Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas rose to fame on a fusion of post-new jack swing R&B and mainstream pop. That sonic approach mirrored their visual presentation, a balance of flair and energy reinforced by vivid, attention-grabbing outfits. Their 1992 debut, Ooooooohhh...On the TLC Tip, demonstrated substance through the Top Ten successes "Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg," "Baby-Baby-Baby," and "What About Your Friends." The follow-up, CrazySexyCool (1994), propelled them to superstar status with its Grammy-winning, diamond-certified run and four Top Ten entries, among them the number-one singles "Creep" and "Waterfalls." Internal turmoil then slowed their progress, stretching the wait for FanMail (1999) beyond four years, although "No Scrubs" and "Unpretty" both reclaimed the summit of the Hot 100. Months after Lopes died in a car crash, the group issued their fourth platinum set, 3D (2002). Watkins and Thomas later returned with the album TLC (2017) and have continued performing into the 2020s.

The trio came together in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1991 after Watkins and Lopes departed a prior ensemble. They soon crossed paths with Thomas, local producer Dallas Austin, and the singer, songwriter, and producer Pebbles, who took on management duties. A contract with L.A. Reid and Babyface's freshly launched LaFace label followed quickly, leading to the February 1992 release of their new jack-styled debut, Ooooooohhh...On the TLC Tip. The video for the bold and confrontational opener "Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg" showcased their playful, brightly colored aesthetic, while Lopes, true to her moniker, drew notice by wearing a condom over her left eye as part of a safe-sex campaign. The track reached the Top Ten on the Hot 100, joined there by the ballad follow-up "Baby-Baby-Baby," which peaked at number two, and "What About Your Friends."

November 1994 brought the blockbuster second album CrazySexyCool. Drawing inspiration from Salt-n-Pepa's Very Necessary makeover, the project replaced the debut's high energy with a sleeker, more seasoned tone. The members remained assertive and sensual yet projected full adulthood, with Lopes in particular contributing more heavily to songwriting. Lead single "Creep" gave TLC its first number-one pop hit, holding the top spot for four weeks. Three additional Top Five releases followed: "Red Light Special," the seven-week chart-topper "Waterfalls," and "Diggin' on You." The group became a genuine phenomenon, their stylish videos and stage shows continually escalating their extravagant fashion statements. CrazySexyCool ultimately surpassed 11 million U.S. sales and earned a Grammy for Best R&B Album.

Much of 1996 was spent sorting out financial matters, with studio plans set for summer 1997. Those sessions stalled amid a public dispute with Dallas Austin, who nevertheless produced the bulk of the material. Progress remained slow. Lopes revealed summer 1998 plans for a solo album, while Watkins made an acting appearance in the Hype Williams film Belly. The delays, friction, and outside ventures sparked breakup speculation. FanMail finally arrived in February 1999, debuting at number one. Its opening single, "No Scrubs," a critique of underachieving men, topped the Hot 100, as did the follow-up "Unpretty," which addressed unrealistic beauty ideals. The album achieved six-times platinum status and secured another Best R&B Album Grammy. Preparing for tour, the members aired grievances publicly; Lopes criticized recent TLC output and dared her bandmates to issue solo projects so listeners could judge individual talent. The conflict proved short-lived, yet questions about the group's longevity persisted.

In 2001 the remaining members reconvened in the studio for a new project. Lopes's solo debut Supernova faced repeated scheduling shifts before appearing only overseas; Arista canceled domestic plans. Recording paused when Watkins required hospitalization for anemia complications. Early 2002 brought Lopes's announcement of a solo deal with Suge Knight's Tha Row label, where she intended to record a follow-up to the unreleased Supernova under the moniker N.I.N.A. (New Identity Non-Applicable). That opportunity never materialized. While driving in Honduras, she lost control of her vehicle and suffered fatal head trauma on April 25, 2002. Watkins and Thomas finished the album they had begun, releasing 3D that November. Although its singles stayed outside the Top Ten, the set debuted at number six and earned double-platinum certification.

Watkins and Thomas appeared as TLC at New York radio station Z100's Zootropia concert in June 2003, billed as the group's final show and featuring a video projection of Lopes. Two years later they co-starred in the nine-episode UPN reality series R U the Girl, offering contestants the chance to perform on a TLC track. Tiffany "O'so Krispie" Baker won and joined the single "I Bet." The duo kept performing and recording sporadically. October 2013 brought the anniversary collection 20, which featured the Ne-Yo collaboration "Meant to Be" heard during the closing credits of VH1's CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story. After further touring, they crowdfunded a new album; the self-titled release arrived in 2017, led by the nostalgic single "Way Back" featuring Snoop Dogg. Watkins and Thomas have performed intermittently since, issuing a 30th-anniversary edition of CrazySexyCool in 2024.