It’s been more than a decade since the release of TLC’s last album (3D, 2002), and now, as one of hip-hop and R&B’s most influential female groups the remaining two members have announced their return to music after taking a a break from the industry as they mourned the lost of member Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes who was killed in a car crash in April 2002. But not only is TLC back in the studio working on new music, they’re finally letting fans hear their story. The musical trio’s trials and triumphs will be re-enacted on the small screen this October when VH1 premieres CrazySexyCool, a Kate Lanier-penned starring Drew Sidora as T-Boz, KeKe Palmer as Chilli, and Lil Mama as Left Eye.
Surviving members Rozanda “Chilli” Thomas and Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, along with their longtime manager Bill Diggins, hosted a press conference at the Crosby Street Hotel in SoHo last week to discuss what the future holds for the group as well as a special surprise announcement.
T-Boz and Chilli revealed that they have recorded a song that Ne-Yo specifically penned for their VH1 biopic titled “Meant to Be,” which will be heard during the film’s closing credits. The track is one of four new songs to be featured on their upcoming album set to release October 15. “Ne-Yo especially was able to kind of tap into our whole vibe, and it seems like he’s been around us forever and [he] hasn’t,” Chilli stated.
In addition to the Ne-Yo-written single, “Posh Life,” a Lady Gaga and Dallas Austin collaboration, is another track put together for the group. Chilli explained how they would love to work with J. Cole again — referring to the North Carolina MC’s single “Crooked Smile.” The duo also revealed Drake is another possible collaborator on the album.
When discussing their biopic with Créme, which T-Boz and Chilli both serve as executive producers, the duo made sure to stress that the film’s point of view is from theirs only and not from those who were involved in their past including L.A. Reid, Babyface or former manager, Pebbles. While clarifying the VH1 film’s POV, T-Boz and Chilli opened up about working with the cast: Chilli explaining receiving phone calls from Keke Palmer, who portrays her in the film, about feedback on what direction to go with certain scenes. T-Boz and Chilli also went in to describe that the film doesn’t even fit in half of their stories and they would need a part two to get everything out Chilli jokingly mentioned.
The film’s biggest shock was Lil Mama capturing the spirit of Left Eye in looks and personality as she was the only lead role who didn’t have the actual person to speak to. The Atlanta-bred entertainers were beyond impressed by Lil Mama’s portrayal of their late musical sister. “Watching Lil Mama on the set of our movie…reminded us of Lisa’s spirit, and for the first time since her passing, we felt everything come together in an organic way.” As T-Boz and Chilli were so blown away by Lil Mama’s ability to give Left Eye’s spirit new life, they’ve decided to bring her along as a special guest during their upcoming reunion show at this year’s Mixtape Festival at Hershey Park Stadium, as well as including her as a guest artist on their upcoming album.“Lil Mama’s authentic style, although very different from Lisa’s, got our creative juices flowing,” said T-Boz. “By bringing her in, we will continue to keep TLC’s music alive for a new generation of fans. We are thrilled to be writing this new chapter in the TLC story.”
Thrilled to be working with TLC, Lil Mama said, “Lisa Lopes was a one-of-kind performer who cannot be replaced. I am grateful to Chilli and T-Boz for the confidence they had in me to portray her in the film, and to invite me to perform and record with them and pay tribute to her incredible talent.”
The group’s new album drops October 15, followed by the release of the VH1 biopic, CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story, October 21.
