CrazySexyCool

Courtesy of Rolling Stone Magazine 

This past Tuesday VH1 premiered the biopic CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story, a movie that chronicled the rise and fall the R&B group TLC in 90’s. The Atlanta-based R&B group consisted of members Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, Lisa “Left-Eye” Lopes, and Rozanda “Chilli” Thomas.

Sitting down and watching this movie reminded me of why I love everything that represents the 90’s. A few things that popped out to me in this film are the fashion and sound of music TLC brought to the table. The baggy clothes, bright colors, and personal unique style are some things I noticed on the fashion side, but the music side showed me the fun, yet empowering side of the 90’s.

          

Courtesy of Rolling Stone Magazine

  The actors in the film portray TLC well, but their resemblance to the real people is what caught my eye. Actresses Drew Sidora and Keke Palmer play T-Boz and Chilli while rapper Lil Mama plays the late Left-Eye. The film follows the group’s rise to fame from humble beginnings. The rise begins with an audition with for Perri “Pebbles” Reid and her then husband Antonio “L.A.” Reid. This rise sees various bumps in the road on their way to the top including a few relationship troubles, a crooked manager, medical issues, occasional friction, and a death that put everything to a halt.

TLC’s sound featured a mix of R&B, hip-hop, and funk to go along some empowering and sometimes “controversial” lyrics. The female trio’s first album Ooooooohhh… On the TLC Tip sold 6 million albums worldwide and featured one of my favorite TLC songs “Baby, Baby, Baby”. As impressive as that may sound, their second album did bigger numbers. CrazySexyCool was released in 1994. The album was certified diamond by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) and ultimately became the first female group to do so. The album featured the songs “Red Light Special”, “Diggin’ On You”, along with two of personal favorites, “Creep” and “Waterfalls”. The album sold 11 million in the US along with winning the 1996 Grammy Award for Best R&B Album and another 1996 Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance a Duo or Group for their song “Creep”. TLC’s third album Fanmail debut at No. 1 in 1999 and sold over six million copies. The album had a more futuristic, pop feel to it and that was seen on the album’s biggest hit “No Scrubs”.

Tragedy then proceeded to follow in 2002 when Lopes lost her life in a car accident that took place in Honduras where she was filming a documentary. The passing of Lopes put a halt on the release of the group’s fourth album, 3D. The group went on to release album on November 12, 2002 and ultimately decided to retire its release rather than continue without Lopes. 

Twitter: @OddKingz