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FANMAIL
For the people who don't already know, TLC
released their third album, "Fan Mail," on February 23, 1999. This album
will be one of the hottest contenders in 1999, so be watching for it on charts around the
globe. Read on to find out more....
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The cover of the bonus disc import. Click the pic for
more...
The bonus disc CD that comes with the Fan Mail import.
Click the pic for more...
Behind-the-scenes of 'Unpretty.' This is Dallas and
TLC. Click the pic for more...
Tionne and Leslie Brathwaite at the 'Unpretty' shoot.
Click to see more...
"Fan Mail," TLC's new album. Click
the pic for more...
The promo CD of "I'm Good At Being
Bad." Click the pic for more...
The promo CD cover for "Unpretty."
Click the pic for more...
The promo CD cover for "Silly Ho." Click the pic for more...
The promo CD for "No Scrubs." Click
the pic for more...
The vinyl cover for the "Silly Ho"
promo. Click the pic for more...
The cover for Sporty Thievz "No Pigeons,"
a parody of "No Scrubs." Click the pic for more...
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07/28/99 As we reported before,
the release date for the Unpretty single is August 17th. We just got word that this
is NOT the maxi single, meaning it will contain about 2-3 trax. Do not expect any
remixes on this. No word yet on whether they will release a maxi single.
07/28/99 There is now a new import
release of "Fan Mail" that may interest some of you. Overseas (Singapore
and other select countries), the album is now being issued with a bonus double CD.
The first disc is the normal run-of-the-mill CD, but the bonus disc is a promo CD that has
2 videos: Waterfalls and No Scrubs. There is no audio to the CD, only the
videos, which can be accessed through a CD-ROM drive. Check to the left for the CD
and cover of the import.
07/27/99 The video is out!
It premiered on TRL today, and will now go into rotation on MTV and other stations.
Check to the left for exclusive CyberTLC World behind-the-scenes pics from the
video. Also, be sure to check the Unpretty section for pics from the video.
Now that TLC is officially back in the video game, be sure to vote for
Unpretty on TRL. Cast your vote by clicking here. The video is amazing.
It was shot in 4 days around the Los Angeles area, and was directed by Paul Hunter.
I'll give you a quick rundown of the storyline: It starts with the girls in a
sort of high-tech temple, and they play genies. They send out a probe to check
around the world, and see violence all over. They're sitting in the temple floating
on high-tech 'magic carpets' watching. Then it moves into a scene where Chilli and
her video boyfriend (not Dallas Austin) are at a computer checking out different boob
sizes (she is going to get an implant.) Then it moves into a very colorful field
with all 3 singing, and Lisa is using sign language, just as she does throughout the whole
video. Another scene has Tionne getting harassed while getting off the bus, then it
goes back to Chilli. She is at the breast implant center. When she gets up to
the operating bed, she sees a woman in the next room getting her implants removed, looking
scared and ashamed. Then it moves on to Lisa, in a car with a friend (Angie
Martinez) bumping to her rap from "I'm Good At Being Bad." She and Angie
see a hot brother, and then move on to find Lisa's boyfriend, who is fighting in a gang
war. He is shot and apparently killed as she rushed to help him. Then it moves
back to Chilli who is out of the bed and watching as the other woman gets her breasts cut
open and the implant removed. She rushes out of the hospital crying and falls
outside. At the end it is back in the temple, with a scene of Chilli going at her
boyfriend for making her feel just so damn unpretty...
07/27/99 The
letters, the calls, it all worked. As some people have figured out by listening to
their radio stations and getting lucky, the petition has
worked. Last week LaFace started shipment of 3 UNPRETTY remixes to radio stations
around the country. So what do the remixes entail? One has Lisa adlibbing,
sort of like how she did on NO SCRUBS, only she doesn't have a rap. The song is more
upbeat, JT money type. The second remix is the main REMIX, with Lisa's full rap that
we gave the lyrics to. The third is a
jungle beat, with more adlibs. So, to all those who sent in letters and called, you
have made a difference.
07/24/99 If anyone took notice at
the MAIL section of the August 1999 VIBE, you would find letters written to the editor
about the TLC issue. Here's what one person said:
FAN MAIL?
I just finished reading your article on TLC ["Three the Hard Way," by Anthony
DeCurtis, May 1999], and I'm completely disenchanted that they might disband. T-Boz, Left
Eye, and Chilli have each got the body, talent, and attitude that it takes to make it. If
Left Eye decides to pull a Ginger Spice, that's her dumb a**, but the move would be a
gamble. TLC balance each other out whether rapping, singing, or harmonizing. It would be a
shame to lose such a talented group among a sea of biters.
Nate White Jr., Fayettville, NC
07/23/99 With "Fan Mail" in stores only 5 months, the group has
already broken another record. TLC achieved an RIAA milestone - CrazySexyCool has
reached sales of 11 million. This figure makes it the best-selling hip-hop album of
all time, surpassing the previous champ, MC Hammer's Please Don't Hurt 'Em, which has sold
10 million. Go TLC!
07/13/99 Not too long ago, fellow
TLC fan Dino Moreno e-mailed BMG about TLC's next single. Here's the reply he
got: Hi, Strangely we have just done our
own research and Unpretty came out tops with "I Miss You So Much" being top for
a Christmas release - so we'll see what happens. But thank you for letting me know -
it's a great idea and I'll pass on your email on to the marketing manager. Cheers,
Backstage
www.bmg-backstage.co.uk Bear in mind, however, that this does not mean the song will be
the next single. The survey BMG is taking about was talked about by CyberTLC World a
while back, where fans vote for what they want TLC's next single to be. My personal
opinion is that TLC needs a 'fast' song next, such as 'Shout' (isn't that song the JAM!)
or 'If They Knew.' Stay tuned for more...
07/01/99 So, why
was the rap cut from 'Unpretty?' Well, as we previously reported, it was due to
"mutual agreement." Who was this mutual agreement with? We thought
it was between Dallas and Lisa, but it's not. When I asked Leslie Brathwaite what's
up, he said that "Mr. Reid didn't really
like it," referring to the rap
version. So if you want someone to blame, it's LA Reid, not TLC, Dallas Austin, or
Left Eye: Blame LA.
06/30/99 In the
new issue of Sister 2 Sister magazine, there is an article about TLC and Unpretty.
Here you are:
TLC AND UNPRETTY
TLC's tour is going full blast this summer. Their new album sold three million in
just six weeks. It was released February 23. Their hot single,
"Unpretty," was first a poem that Dallas Austin, TLC's producer, lifted from
T-Boz's poetry book. It talks about people being pretty on the inside and therefore
not always having to have makeup on. The girls finally have new management by Bill
Diggins, who also manages a group signed to Arista Records called Five. His company
is called Diggins Entertainment. He has done a lot of international work. TLC
has had a hard time keeping a manager. I heard that T-Boz was down again with her illness,
sickle cell anemia. But she hasn't been sick in over a year, which we are all
celebrating because that's a long time for sickle cell sufferers to go without being
sick. She was really upset about those rumors.
06/27/99 Virtual
Vic-E, the computer generated voice on TLC's FanMail has generated a lot of hype.
One reason people are 'into' her is because of the mystery she holds. Who is
she? What does she look like? Will she be on future TLC projects? Well,
Vic-E is signed to Dallas's label FreeWorld. She is totally computer generated,
meaning there is no human voice behind her (despite rumors that she sounds like Left Eye,
T-Boz, or Chilli.) So where did she come from? Well, Dallas actually got the
idea from the voice that talked in the interludes on A Tribe Called Quest's album
'Midnight Marauders. Shortly after that, he went out and bought a MAC, which had a
voice generation program. When Dallas typed, Vic-e rapped. Simple as
that.
06/22/99 As
everyone should know by now, 'Unpretty' is TLC's up-and-coming single. The video is
in production, the rap has been added, and it's been shipped to radio. Then comes
the turn. Many stations throughout the US are playing "I'm Good At Being
Bad," and it's getting more requests than UNPRETTY. To top it off, LaFace
released it as a promotional single shipped to radio stations. Here is the track
listing from the promo single:
1-Radio Mix W/Rap
2-Radio Mix W/O Rap
3-Instrumental
4-Call Out Research Hook
So what's up? Well, LaFace is playing games
again. This song is another SILLY HO dealio, where it is going to be released to
radio, get hype, have a promotional single, but never be released to the public, nor have
a video. Have complaints? Blame it on the rain.
06/08/99 For those
who have the limited edition version of FAN MAIL, hold on to your copy because the version
of "I'm Good At Being Bad" has changed from the one now in stores. The
song, which contained a sample of Donna Summer's '70s hit "Love To Love You,
Baby" on the track, has been changed recently over controversy with Donna.
Summers realized the sexually explicit nature of the lyrics on the TLC track, which also
features the word "nigger" in its chorus, and ordered the sample of her track to
be removed from all copies of the album. All new copies of the album have the sample
removed, along with other minor changes. Along with the removal of the Summer's
sample, the sample of "Cold Blooded" by Rick James taken off of the
"Whispering Playa Interlude."
05/10/99 So, why
couldn't Lisa stand 100% behind the TLC project? There has been a lot of
speculation, but nothing has come out as of yet. Well, now she's broken it down for
people. "We fought hard for a certain
amount of control and, y'know, things weren't handled right so the making of this album,
the process in which it was made, that's why I can't stand 100% behind this project. But
I'm not going anywhere." And the
girls add: "We're very different - all
three of us - we have all different things going on in our lives, but the important thing
for our career is to remember that TLC is first". "Sometimes we agree and
sometimes we agree to disagree." So
there you have it. Lisa is NOT leaving the group. So all you TLC haters out
there, stop the rumors!
05/08/99 What's up
with the Left Eye "drama?" Well, Left Eye said this at the Kids Choice
Awards: "The Media Misinterpreted
what I said....I'm not going anywhere."
So that should dispel anymore rumors for the time being, right people? AKA, stop
spreading them!
05/05/99 What does
TLC think of the Sporty Thievz' version of "No Scrubs?" Well, Chilli said
that she heard it on the way to the airport (going to the Nick Kid's Choice Awards) and
that the 'scrubs' must be upset. T-Boz and Left Eye started laughing. So
apparently TLC is taking it well, and no, they are NOT suing Sporty Thievz, contrary to
some rumors.
05/03/99 When I
called to talk to a friend at LaFace about some TLC mixes that haven't been released,
"If They Knew" with Busta Rhymes came up. Well, come to find out the girls
and him didn't even FINISH the song. So in other words, us fans won't be hearing the
track at all, on a single or anything. Bad news, huh?
04/29/99 There's
been some talk on the TLC lists about what exactly Lisa is saying on "If They
Knew" right before her rap. Well, it's Spanish, and here we go:"Papi, te amo mucho..." Let's break that down to you now. Papi is the
nickname that Lisa uses for her fiancé (that's right, fiancé!) Marshall Lorenzo
Martin. He calls her Mami. Cute little nicknames for each other. The
rest of it, 'te amo mucho' is Spanish for I love you a lot, or I love you very much,
whichever way you prefer. And there you have it....
04/15/99 Here's
some news from our Japanese correspondent Fumi:
Japanese female singer, Hikaru Utada announced that she will be having a joint concert
with Monica & TLC on Aug. 24th, 1999 at the "Nippon Budoukan" in Tokyo,
Japan. This concert is for a Coca-Cola product called "sokenbi-cha" (a
type of Japanese tea). 4,000 pairs of winners (8000 people in all) will be selected
in a drawing and will be given tickets to the concert (they will not be sold). For a
chance to win a ticket, you have to buy "sokenbicha" and collect 5 ticker
points or bar codes. About Hikaru Utada: She was born and raised in New York
(both of her parents are Japanese) and is now going to American High School in Japan. She
is fluent in both Japanese and English. She is only 17 years old and her first album
sold over 5 million in Japan.
TLC has another record to add to the
list. They have broken the all-time high Broadcasting Data System (BDS) Hot 100
radio audience record with their No. 1 hit single "No Scrubs," which
reached an amazing 120 million in audience and surpassed former record holder Celine Dion
and her No. 1 hit from the Titanic "My Heart Will Go On." Expect many
other records to be broken in coming months...
In the new Sister 2 Sister Celebrity
Update, there's a little thing on TLC and T-Boz. Here's what it says: "Hello babies, this is Jamie Foster Brown with the
Sister 2 Sister celebrity update. S2S spoke to T-Boz from TLC. Lots of folks
want to know if that group is breaking up. Well for one thing, the girls have a
contract. Ever hear of a contract? Well, they have to do 6 albums.
Their latest album "Fan Mail" is only their third project. T-Boz also said
that she's sure everybody wants to do something else individually, but collectively, they
have to do their music first. She says "'Fan Mail' is together, TLC is
together, we're doing this!" Oh, T-Boz has a few thing that she's doing on the
side however. She has her book of inspirational poetry that she's putting out, and
it's called "Thoughts: Volume 1." Now T-Boz said one of their new songs on
their album called "Unpretty" was actually a poem that she wrote. TLC's
producer, Dallas Austin, helped her converse that poem to a song. T-Boz said each
poem will have a picture that symbolizes what she's talking about. She's not exactly
sure when the book will come out, she told us that she's in negotiations right now with
different people. Oh, and T-Boz said that she and Dallas are also working on a
clothing line called Grungy Glamorous. Another clothing line. I thought
that was funny because, I just told you last week that her ex-boyfriend Dalvin from Jodeci
is starting a clothing line too. Maybe it'll be a Mr. and Mrs. or His or Hers or
somethin', I dunno. But what's up with them anyway. Well, you know we had to
ask. T-Boz said that he's her best friend. She told us "It doesn't
matter if I'm with him like that or not." Meaning, I guess, intimately.
She said "He loves me. I love him. We're best friends." This
is Jamie Foster Brown, giving it to you straight, no chaser. Goodbye babies."
You can click here to listen to the report in
RealAudio.
I'm sure that most people have heard
about what Lisa said in the new Vibe. If not, you can read the full article in the
articles section, or a shortened version below: "There's
something very important that I want you to put in the article. It would mean
something to me, so I was wondering if you could quote me on this one.
Okay, here we go: I've graduated from this era. I cannot stand 100 percent
behind this TLC project and the music that is supposed to represent me. This will be my
last interview until I can speak freely about the truth and present myself on my solo
project." However, we have found out
that this has been taken care of. Lorenzo (Lisa's current boyfriend,) set it
straight for us. Here's what he said: "Things
have changed since the Vibe interview. Immediately after submitting that statement, some
reform from other people occurred to Lisa's satisfaction. In short, don't worry - Lisa is
not leaving the group. TLC Forever!!!"
So, whatever problems Lisa seemed to be having before have been taken care of now.
Don't worry TLC fans, Lisa is still with us! You can see the new pictures of TLC at
the left, and also in the Vibe articles section.
Who hasn't heard the song "Baby One
More Time" by Britney Spears? Well, I'll bet most people haven't heard that the
song was originally offered to TLC but they passed it over as unsuitable
for their FanMail album allowing Brittany to take the song. TLC's US record company
have issued a terse 'no comment' on the claim that they missed out but an insider says the
girls are more than happy with their own current smash single No Scrubs. "These sort of things happen all the time," he says. "Songs
get passed around and re-worked. Don't forget that 'No Scrubs' is currently reaching the
highest audience figures in US chart history, so I don't think they'll be too bothered
about one song."
There's still A LOT of talk about the
mysterious Virtual Vic-E. Who is she? What does she look like? When will
we see her? Well, I asked Lisa, and here's what she said about her: "Vic-E is an entity that changes shape, personality, and
character." So apparently, she may
not even have a defined form. I guess we'll have to wait longer to find out who she
is...
What does TLC think of the new
album? Well, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes gave me a little insight into her
favorite - and LEAST favorite songs from the album. She said that
"Unpretty" is her favorite jam, but "I'm Good At Being Bad" is the one
she doesn't feel. She said quote "I
hated "I'm Good At Being Bad" because I didn't think it was appropriate, but now
it's growing on me and the fans like it..."
So there you have it.
As most people know, "Fan Mail"
has a total of 17 trax including interludes. However, when an album is released in
Japan, it is highly likely to have additional tracks (why this is, I have NO clue).
Apparently, "Fan Mail" will be just this way. I have a Japanese friend
online named Fumi, and she said that the Japanese version of the album contains one extra
track that will only be released in Japan. The song is called "U In Me,"
and is produced by Dallas Austin. It appears as track 18, and is 3:50 in length.
The Japanese edition of "Fan Mail" has an additional booklet including
English lyrics, Japanese translations, and an advertisement of the official Japanese TLC
fan club! You can order Japanese imports from http://www.gemm.com ,
http://www.amazon.com , and from many other online music stores.
Alright, with the release of "Fan
Mail," TLC has ALREADY broken a record! TLC's first single, "No
Scrubs," has become the most added Crossover Record of All Time, meaning it is the #1
Most Increased Play across the radio formats. Here's what Billboard had to
say: TLC's "No Scrubs" is the
biggest radio sensation since Alanis's "Thank U": it's up to #15* on the Hot 100
in its 3rd week based on airplay alone (#7* Hot 100; #20* Top 40 Tracks; #37* Top 40
Mainstream). The single is #11* on R&B Singles and Tracks. Expect many more records to be broken with this
album...
With "Fan Mail," TLC took on a
lot more responsibility, and were also executive producers of the album. All three
of the girls have also started their own publishing companies. T-Boz has Grung Girl
Music (ASCAP), Left Eye and Lorenzo Martin has U.N.I. Publishing, Inc., and Chilli has
T-Ron Music (BMI).
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Along with the new TLC album, Left Eye will
be releasing her own solo album. Left Eye's album will not only be a music CD, but also an
album that will take fans on a journey, a very Left Eye journey...
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A promotional poster for Lisa's upcoming album
"Fantasy1.com." Click the pic for a better view.
A little sketch of Lisa's "Fantasy1.com"
image. Click the pic for more...
Erick Sermon, who will be guest appearing on Lisa's
album. Click the pic for a larger view...
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06/22/99 Where's
the solo album? Well, when we last heard from Lisa Lopes in California doing THE CUT, she
told Chris over the phone to expect the album early spring of '99. That time has gone and
passed, and still no album. So what's up? Apparently Lisa has decided to hold off on that
venture until the hype with the TLC album has died down. Don't worry though, the solo
album IS still in the midst, right now it's just a question of WHEN...
Alright, I'm sure everyone out there is
wondering how Left Eye is going to deal with TLC and her own solo album. She said
that LaFace is making her keep her album under wraps until the TLC album dies down a bit,
and then it will be released. No word yet on whether Lisa will have her own tour for
her album, but my guess is that she won't, considering the TLC tour and all. Who
knows, maybe she'll do a couple tracks from her album during the TLC tour....
Right now, guest appearances for Lisa's
album are Debra Killings, Erick Sermon, The Bandits, possibly Tangi, and other acts signed
to Left Eye Productions. She was working on getting Wyclef and Pras onto the album, but
that didn't pull through she said.
If you haven't figured it out by now,
Left Eye will be releasing a solo album in addition to a new TLC album. The album is
called "Fantasy1.com" It was originally supposed to be released before the
TLC album, but she told me that she had a few problems with LaFace and they are going to
carry her album on their label, but it won't be released until after TLC's album.
She said to expect it this spring. Left Eye also told me that the solo project will
be highly interactive, with a lot of viewer interaction through the use of both CD-Rom and
DVD and that there will be guest appearances from other artists signed to Left Eye
Productions. I've tried to find out as much as I can about her solo album, but she
and everyone around her are keeping it very hush hush.
I have the titles of two tracks on Lisa's
album "Fantasy1.com" They are: "Blue Moon" and
"Fantasy.com". On a related tip, the title of Lisa's album,
"Fantasy1.com" could be changing soon. Her original idea was to have the
title be "Fantasy.com" and have a web site to go along with it. The only
problem was that "Fantasy.com" was owned by a porn company. Lisa is
currently trying to buy out the company so that she can have dibs on the name :o)
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This section is for all of the 'other' news
on the group. From song appearances to magazine articles, check this section for all
of the little tidbits on the group.
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The delta symbol Lisa was talking about. Click
the pic for a better view...
Andre and Taiesha at the Kansas City Tree Lighting
(thanks Nuerison for the image). Click the pic for a better view...
The album cover for Donell Jones' album. Click
the pic for more...
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08/02/99 "Said
I got an e-mail today..." from MTV of all people.
They are looking into TLC, and asked me a few questions about the group, such as their
age, birthplace, birthdate, etc. The person told me that nothing is set in stone,
but they're looking into a possible pilot on TLC. That is all I know at this point,
but I'll keep you posted.
08/01/99 Here's an update on the
Goodie MOB album. As we previously reported, TLC will have an appearance on Goodie's
upcoming album entitled "World Party," which will be out in September.
Other contributors to the new album include Lenny Kravitz, producer Dallas Austin,
Organized Noize, and Outkast. The first single to be released from the album will be
the TLC track. The single could be out as early as next week, and we'll keep you
posted. Here's the flow of how the song is going to go down:
Clincher(Intro): Virtual Vic-E
T-Boz: First verse
Chilli: Bridge
Gipp: Rap
Hook (Chorus)
Cee-Lo: 2nd verse
Chilli: Bridge Again
T-Mo: Rap
Hook (Chorus)
Left Eye: Rap
Kujo: Last Rap
07/30/99 As we previously
reported, there was talk about whether LaFace co-owners L.A. Reid and Babyface Edmonds
would sell their 50% of LaFace Records. Word has come in now, however,
that this is not going to happen. Reid says that the label is not for sale and is
continuing its commitment to developing artists. Along with TLC, LaFace has such acts as
Toni Braxton, Goodie Mob, OutKast, Az Yet, Shanice, and Donell Jones. In fact,
LaFace has been going through a major expansion, adding 10 people to its Atlanta
headquarters and another 10 in its Los Angeles office. As expected, former MCA Records
executive Louil Silas Jr. has joined LaFace's West Coast office as senior VP. He plans to
hire additional executives and support staff in the coming weeks.
07/28/99 Here's some more on the
MTV Video Music Awards. Along with receiving six (count em, 6 baby!) nods, TLC is on
the list of performers for the night. Other acts to perform include Ricky Martin and
the Backstreet Boys. The show airs on 9-9-99 (that only happens once). Chris
Rock will be hosting again this year.
07/28/99 Here's an update on the
TLC tour. Right now word has it that Goodie MOB is trying to hook up on the TLC
tour, and that it may possibly only be a LaFace tour, meaning only artists signed to
LaFace will tour with TLC. Don't count on that happening, but it is one of the
options being discussed.
07/28/99 In the latest issue of
SPIN magazine, TLC is on the list of the top albums of the 90's. CrazySexyCool falls
at the number 51 position. The number one album goes to Nirvana's 1991 release
"Nevermind."
07/28/99 There are a few upcoming
dates to be watching for. The first falls on August 12th, when the 1999 Teen Choice
Awards come on Fox. Will TLC win an award? The next falls on August 20th, when
the Source Awards appear on UPN. Check local listings for the time.
07/28/99 "And
the 1999 MTV Video Award goes to..." That will be discovered at New York City's Metropolitan Opera House on September 9, 1999.
To no surprise, in today's press conference it was announced that TLC's
"No Scrubs" video was nominated in 6 different categories!
"No Scrubs" was nominated for Best Group Video,
Best Hip Hop Video, Viewer's Choice, Best Direction in a Video, Best Art Direction in a
Video, and Best Editing in a Video. No doubt these
FIERCE ladies will not be going home empty handed on awards night! You go, girls!!!
For the complete list of nominations and details, check out MTV.com.
07/27/99 TLC was
recently in Vancouver, Canada to shoot a scene in a movie called ROMEO MUST DIE with the
main character, Aaliyah. No word on a release date, but other characters in the
movie are DMX, and Jet Li from Black Mask. Jet Li is Romeo and Aaliyah is Juliet.
07/23/99 The rumors are flying
high, from K-Ci & JoJo, to Christina Aguilera, all the top names in the industry are
being said to be on the TLC tour. So what's official? Nothing as of yet.
The girls are still in negotiations, but right now here are a few people who might join:
Blaque:
The TLC protégé, alike in looks and sound, will they join? Word has it they're
shooting a movie right now called "Cheer Fever," but may find time.
The official Blaque newsletter said that "Blaque will be performing at several radio
summerfest during the Summer and are negotiating tours with N'SYNC and possibly
TLC."
K-Ci & JoJo:
What about half of Jodeci? K-Ci & JoJo where on Artist Spotlight on
MuchMusic, and when asked about touring they said "we are going on tour with TLC, it
was finalized last week." With their new album on shelves, they might just make it.
Christina Aguilera: Christina,
the Genie In A Bottle queen, is said to be touring with TLC also. She was quoted on
MTV as saying she will be on the TLC tour, but doesn't know any official dates. This
week her single is holding the number one position on the Hot 100, and her album is
approaching soon. So will she tour with TLC?
Dru Hill: The group said on MTV a while back that they would be on
the TLC tour, but nothing more has been said. When I looked into it, I heard it fell
through. Who knows, maybe they'll be there too...
Missy Elliot: Competing for the futuristic vibe will be rough if Missy
and TLC go on tour. However, Missy was said to have been offered a spot on the TLC
tour a few months ago, but she didn't know whether or not she would accept.
Monica: A close
friend of TLC and Dallas Austin's, her sultry voice has made her a superstar.
Reports say that Monica and TLC are in negotiations for a tour, but who knows? They
are appearing in Japan together....
Bad Boy and MCA: LaFace has reportedly been trying to get a joint tour going with
MCA and BadBoy. Reportedly, the tour would consist of Mary J. Blige, Jesse Powell,
and 112, with appearances by Puff Daddy, Jerome, Lil' Kim, and Tracie Spencer at select
shows. How word how the deal is going.
Other LaFace Artists: Shanice? Donell Jones? Both artists have
released or will release and album soon, and neither have a tour going. Or what
about Goodie MOB? Will LaFace add them in?
So, as you can see, there are a lot of different possibilities for the TLC tour.
Right now the girls are in the studio rehearsing, trying to make it good for the
fans. TLC's first show will be Aug 24 in Japan with Monica and Hikaru Utada.
No word on any tour dates as of yet.
07/23/99 Tionne's Top 5
Marvin Gaye "I Want You"
Very emotional. Every person feels that way, or they want someone to feel that way in
a relationship -- you want somebody to want you back, you know what I mean? I'm just a
huge fan of Marvin. I wish they still had artists like that today.
Michael Jackson "Billie Jean"
Let me tell you about "Billie Jean": That was awesome. I actually used to
wear a white shirt with a bow tie and my leather pants every day after school. When he
took his hat off and slid across the floor in that pose . . . that's the pose right there.
Paula Cole
"Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?"
I love her and the whole album. I like the lyrical content and the way she explains
things. She's basically asking where all the good men are. I ask myself the same
thing.
LaBelle "Lady Marmalade"
Patti is the greatest singer of all time, I know it. I'm not all that into her
albums; I'm into her live thing. She totally gives me chills. She's so real.
Juvenile "Back Dat Azz Up"
When that song comes on, everything has to stop and I have to dance.
07/23/99 In the past few days,
rumors have begun circulating the internet about Tionne being in the hospital.
Supposedly she had a sickle-cell attack, which had been 'worse than normal.' So
what's going on? RUMORS RUMORS and more RUMORS. Just yesterday I asked Leslie
Brathwaite what was going on, and he called her to make sure she was alright. She
was in the studio rehearsing for the tour and was 'just fine.' So all you TLC haters
out there, go play elsewhere.
07/23/99 You heard her Rap on
TLC's Radio Single, "Silly Ho", and her featured cameos on "Fan Mail,"
well get ready to expect more from this Virtual female voice. She has shown how she can
get down with the ladies, now she will start kicking it with the Boys! Virtual
Vic-E, the computerized voice created by Dallas Austin, is the first computer signed
to Free World Records. Her Album is in the making, aiming for January 2000, but
before that, she will be on "The Vega Boys" debut album this Fall. The
Vega Boys, who will be the second artist off of Free World, is coming out with their album
this October. This Guy Quartet,
founded by Dallas Austin, (not to be confused with the Venga Boys)
is already being known as the male version of TLC. Like TLC, their album will
have a futuristic feel, with Vic-E lending her cybernetic rap to the track called,
"Playette." The Vega Boys first single, "Let Me Get It," is
produced by Arnold Hennings, and will be out this Fall. Stay tuned for more news on
Vic-E and the Boys when it is announced.
News courtesy of Shawn T. Anderson
07/19/99 OK, along with the Source
Awards coming up, Seventeen magazine also has an awards show called the Teen Choice Awards
that TLC is nominated at. There is a banner on the main page where you can vote, or
cast your ballot by clicking here.
The show airs August 12th at 8pm.
07/19/99 In the recent issue of
Seventeen magazine, there is an article about the star's most embarrassing moments.
Here is Tionne's: "We were in Canada on the
CazySexyCool tour with Boyz II Men. Our last song was "Creep," and we were all
wearing silk pajamas. After we said good-bye, I
ran back onstage again. While I was standing there, my pants fell down to my ankles. The
audience was rolling [with laughter]. I just stepped out of them. I was trying to be cute,
but my face was so red." Aww, poor
Tionne!
07/16/99 T-Boz's poetry book, "Thoughts"
is set to hit stores in November. According to an article from Launch, the book will be
available in audio-book form! T-Boz, of course will be doing the reading...and it will be
available both on audio and compact disc. Also...original music will play a part in the
audio-book! T-Boz commented that "[the]
book is of inspirational poems and autobiographical essays complemented by striking color
images." She also says she will be sharing candid thoughts
on her family, the music business and the role it plays in her life, and her battle with
sickle cell anemia. A number of her personal photographs will grace the book. She also
mentioned that for her, being able to share her personal writing is a "privilege" and the book is
something she's "very passionate" about. To read more about the release of Tionne's book, check out MTV.com for more!
07/16/99 Our very own Chilli took
the time to visit 11-year-old Santonio Lucas, who is recovering from a gunshot wound in
the hospital, today. Santonio was the only survivor in what is said to be the worst
mass killing of the century in the state of Georgia, which occurred Monday, July 12.
After being shot in the elbow, Santonio emerged from hiding in a closet for approximately
8 hours to find the rest of his family dead. After killing six family members the
gunman, Cyrano A. Marks, then turned the gun on himself. Santonio was also visited
by Falcon's player, Terence Mathis, who gave Santonio his football from the 1999 Super
Bowl. For more details and updates on this story, visit AccessAtlanta.com.
07/13/99 Vote for
TLC on the Source Hip Hop Music Awards online! There is a banner on the main page
you can click, or click here
TLC is voted for Best R&B Artist of the Yea. Also, don't forget to vote for
BELLY as video of the year. The show airs August 18 in Los
Angeles on the UPN network.
07/13/99 There is a lot of
articles floating around right now concerning Tionne's upcoming book 'Thoughts.'
Here is one of them from MTV News:
After conquering the pop charts with the trio's recent
album, "Fan Mail"
and the singles chart with "No Scrubs," the group's T-Boz Watkins is now hoping
to leap to the top of another chart -- "The New York Times"
Bestsellers list of books. T-Boz will hope to scale such literary charts with
"Thoughts," a book of inspirational and autobiographical essays that is due out
in November via HarperCollins Publishers. The audio book version of "Thoughts"
will feature T-Boz reading the text, in addition to some original TLC music composed for
the project.
In keeping with the audience-friendly theme of "Fanmail," T-Boz uses a
portion of the new book to respond to letters from fans and friends. The
singer-songwriter also addresses her experiences in the music industry, as
well as her struggle with sickle cell anemia. "I'm so excited to add the title
of author to my resume," T-Boz said in a statement announcing her new book deal.
"Sharing my writing is my privilege, especially with 'Thoughts,' a project I'm very
passionate about."
As we reported last month, TLC producer and cohort Dallas Austin revealed to MTV that some
of the songs on "Fanmail" grew out of poems that T-Boz had written for the book.
07/12/99 So, what are some
unreleased songs that TLC have done? There is a whole slew of them, enough for a
whole album even. Some titles include "Wanna Do Yours," "Let's Just
Do It," "Oh Honey," "I Love You So Much," "Crazy,
Sexy, Cool," and "You." Also, TLC was supposed to record a track
called "Where My Girls At?," but didn't. And no, this was not the same
track 702 did. 702's song was written by Missy Elliot, this one was not. Even
though TLC had plans to record it, this one never made it. Another track that never
made it into production but was written was called "Live to Die," a song that
T-Boz wrote in reference to her grandmother's death. The song "I Love You So
Much" was written about Tron, and is one of Chilli's favorite.
07/12/99 Here's some more on the
TLC tour. As we previously reported, there is talk of having Christina Aguilera
added to the TLC tour as part of the opening act. Well, LaFace has a lot more
planned than her. Right now, there are negotiations between LaFace, MCA, and BadBoy
Records to all go in on the tour. Which artists would appear is still in the
planning stages, but right now performers include TLC & Debra Killings, Shanice,
Donell Jones, Mary J. Blige, Jesse Powell, 112, and Goodie MOB. Possible other
artists to appear at select shows would include Puff Daddy, Jerome, Lil' Kim, and Tracie
Spencer. Not however that the tour is still in the planning stages, and none of
these artists have been set up for sure, so there could be drops and additions
still. As for the itinerary, at this point it will only be a US tour hitting major
cities such as New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, San Francisco, Oakland,
Anaheim, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Miami, Detroit, Boston, Washington DC, and other
cities. The tour will no doubt include some smaller cities, but right now they are
just focusing on the major cities at this point. As for when the tour will kick off,
expect it in late fall, sometime around October or November. Word has it the tour
will last for 3 months or longer. Just this past week TLC got together to start
rehearsals, so hopefully we will find out more soon.
07/10/99 As TLC gear up to release their second official single (notice
OFFICIAL, since there have been 4 songs released to radio at this point), fans are
starting to wonder when the tour will happen? Well, word has it that it will start
sometime around August or late fall, and that the girls are getting ready for it right
now. "We haven't been out there
performing as a group for four years," Chilli
says. "We're going to iron out all the kinks
and we're gonna do a world tour because we have so much fun onstage and we love
performing." On a related tip, TLC will
NOT be touring with Blaque any time soon. Word has it though that an opening act for
TLC may be newcomer Christina Aguilera, who's song "Genie In A Bottle" is
steadily rising on the charts.
07/10/99 The following was taken out of a TLC message board: "O.k., I was visiting my friends in Tucson Arizona. We were
going to look at fire works. Me and my brother had to ride with my friends friends friends
because the other cars were packed. The car was rusty and it even had roaches! Anyway, to
make a long story short they were listening to a country station (my eardrums were
bleeding because the driver was trying to sing). Right after Garth Brooks guess what comes
on? UNPRETTY. I was like NO NO NO.!!!!! The driver tried to sing T-Boz's parts and it was
awful! Then when the song was over the Dj said " That was the newest country single
from a new group called TLC" ,and the other DJ said "That's gonna be a
smash hit" I just sunk low in my seat. But this is to prove my point (That some who
will remain nameless have argued) that Unpretty is being considered country." So who says TLC isn't country? Chilli has said herself that
she's into country music, and would do "any
song that Shania Twain would do."
07/10/99 Ready for a mind blowing
surprise people? Well here it is: LaFace Records has pushed the album
back! Big surprise huh? The album was slated to be released on June 15, but
now it has been bumped back, way back to August 10. Donell's first single,
"Shorty (Got Her Eyes On Me)" is doing fairly well, and the upcoming single is
titled "U Know What's Up," featuring Left Eye. Donell's album, which
features tracks such as "Where I Wanna B," "This Luv," "Have U
Seen Her," "It's Alright," and "I Wanna Luv U," should be coming
to stores sometime soon. Meanwhile, LaFace has begun shipment of "U Know What's
Up," and here is the track listing on it:
1.Clean Version featuring Left Eye (Edit)
2.Album Instrumental
3.Clean Acapella featuring Left Eye
4.Clean Version featuring Left Eye
5.Album Version
6.Dirty Version
06/27/99 -The following is from a
Toni Braxton message board:-
My uncle is the fine arts reviewer for the Miami
Herald...and LaFace sent him snippets of unfinished songs from Toni's new album...now my
uncle says the record companies do this when they think they have produced one of the best
records ever...let me tell you...when I sat down and heard her voice I was blown
away...in my opinion it's stronger than Mariah's, Whitney's, and Lauryn's now...it was
awesome...on these snippets she was just ripping the notes and doing full octave
jumps and her voice was just surreal...and on the album will be a song and in parenthesis
its titled 'The Ladies of LaFace'...Toni has the lead and the bridge of the song has Toni
and T-Boz harmonizing in their lowest registers... its like nothing I've ever heard
before...so I hope this gave you guys some insight on what I guess to be one of the
best r&b albums to date...I guess singing on Broadway only helped her voice that much
more...who thought it needed help? I didn't.
So is it true? I checked with LaFace and indeed T-Boz did record a track with
Toni Braxton. However, don't rush out and buy the album when it's in stores
though. None of the tracks Toni has recorded thus far are guaranteed to appear on
her album, so keep an ear open to see what happens.
06/27/99 As CyberTLC World previously reported, there has been some
conflicts as to whether Left Eye will appear on Donell's album. Well, it has been
settled. LaFace Records decided to release both versions of the track, which is
called "U Know What's Up." Some copies will have the version with Left Eye
on the track, some will not. No word yet on how you will discern between the two,
but either way the track will be out.
06/22/99 Today, the nominees for
the 1999 Source Hip-Hope Music Awards were released. The show will be held on August
18 in Los Angeles on the UPN network. So where does TLC stand in all of this?
Well, they hold 1 nomination at the show, the first awards show that TLC has been
nominated at, next to the Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Awards. As of now, there is no
word on whether TLC will perform, or even whether they will attend. Here is the
category that TLC and Tionne's film BELLY is nominated in, and also who the competition
is:
R&B Artist of the Year
TLC (LaFace/Arista)
R. Kelly (Jive)
Mya (University/Interscope) Brandy (Atlantic)
Dru Hill (Island)
Movie of the Year
"The Player's Club" (New Line)
"I Got The Hook-Up" (No Limit) "Belly" (Artisan)
"He Got Game" (Touchstone)
06/08/99 Dallas Austin, the man
behind such hits as Boyz II Men's "Motownphilly," Madonna's "Secret,"
and TLC's "Creep," is shifting his attention away from music and toward film for
several upcoming projects. The first film, entitled "Jellybeans," is based
on one of Austin's childhood hangouts, and as he recently told the MTV Radio Network, it
was the place where he used to meet some of his current friends and peers. "Jellybeans is like a skating rink that T-Boz [from TLC]
and Rico Wade [of Organized Noize] and myself [went to as kids]," Austin said. "And a lot of the
fashion that we turned into music, it came out of the skating rink." Austin believed that the film would be produced fairly quickly and would feature
appearances from both T-Boz and Wade, as well as several others. The renowned producer
said that he was working on a film about a marching band, "Drumline," that is
currently in the scripting stages. No release date has been set for either film.
Meanwhile, JT Money, an artist from Austin's Freeworld camp, released his debut album,
"Pimpin' on Wax," last week. Austin also handled production duties on TLC's new
single, "Unpretty."
06/01/99 TLC's Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes was in her native Philadelphia last Friday
night to accompany Strawberry Mansion High School senior Malcolm Blair to his prom. Blair,
a longtime fan of TLC, invited Lopes to the formal dance in a letter which impressed Lopes
so much, she accepted. "He was asking me to go
on a prom with him, to be his date," Lopes told MTV News. "But the way he had written the letter was as if [I] had
already said yes. He was discussing what color we should wear, and he needed me to call
him and give him my input. And so I showed the letter to my boyfriend, and I said, 'Look
at this. This is so cute.' And he said, 'You know, you should go.'" The two entered the prom Saturday dressed in white reptile-print, vinyl-like
outfits provided by Lopes, who had them made by Philadelphia fashion designer Kyle
Young. Malcolm said the date was his dream come true.
06/01/99 According to reports, Chilli will now be a model of sorts for Coach pocketbooks.
She will be in New York next Thursday for a photo shoot in which she will endorse the
product and line, which makes leather coats, shoes, and pocketbooks. Coach is a
top-of-the-line company, and all products it makes also run top dollar. No word yet
on when to see the new ads.
05/11/99 So, what
does TLC think of the Y2K bug? Well, Lisa recently sat down and gave us 'her'
version of what might happen...
Lisa: Get yourself together for, um,
December 31, 1999 because if the Y2K bug does mess up the computers, everything can go
wrong from hospital equipment, to traffic lights, to banking, to accounting information,
to......everything can go wrong, so just...I'm tellin' you... electric companies,
gas companies, supermarkets, everything can shut down, for real!
T-Boz: (laughing)
Lisa: Ummm....transportation. Don't go out of the country. I know a lot
of people who want to be in Egypt, "I'm going to Africa...," don't go to Africa,
cuz you're not coming back, OK?
T-Boz: (laughing loud)
Lisa: Transportation is gonna......I mean airlines, airplanes, automobiles, all dat
stuff is gonna get shut....if, if the problems happen such...it's better to be safe than
sorry. Don't be out on New Years night either, and all the lights go out and you get
in a traffic accident and then you go to the hospital and the heart pace monitors don't
work because they was working on the computer chip.
T-Boz: (laughing hysterically)
Lisa: Stay in the house. I mean COME ON!
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