TLC makes a comeback, can they succeed without ‘Left Eye’?

This October you can look forward to more than just apple picking, as TLC, one of the greatest musical trios from the 90s and early 2000s, will be back full force. Although the group has been in and out of the public eye since the death of Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes in 2002, it has been 11 years since the release of the their last original album, “3D.”

According to Billboard, this year current members Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas will bring new music and a VH1 biopic. The publication added that on Oct. 15th the remaining duo will release an album that features the group’s hits and new songs done in collaboration with some of the most recognized artists in the business. Two new songs are ready, “Meant To Be,” written by Ne-Yo, and “Posh Life,” written by Lady Gaga and Dallas Austin. There will also be musical collaborations with Drake and J. Cole.

Billboard also announced that on Oct. 21, VH1 will premiere “CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story,” a biopic written by Kate Lanier (“What’s Love Got To Do With It”) and executive produced by T-Boz and Chilli. In the film Keke Palmer, Drew Sidora and Lil Mama will play Chilli, T-Boz and Left Eye, respectively, during the group’s rise to fame. The film includes recreations of the TLC’s most iconic videos: “Creep,” “Waterfalls” and “No Scrubs.”

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The question remains: can TLC be more than their greatest hits and in that way be successful in today’s music scene without their beloved L?

I think in the past 11 years, T-Boz and Chili have been so preoccupied on keeping the memory of Left Eye alive that they forgot about themselves, and as we can see that plan backfired. The two singers are left trapped in the shadows of their hits and haven’t been able to progress past them. I think this new comeback will breathe new life into the group and it has the potential of helping the duo find their new image – they can both retain the old success they had with Lopes, helping them reconnect with older fans; and at the same time reach new audiences and create a new TLC by working with current successful artists that know what is hot right now.

The group remains positive and is overwhelmed by the industry’s helpful response to their comeback.  “Not one artist has said no, and that’s amazing and a blessing… You know, we’ve been gone for a minute. But to see everyone coming to us like, ‘Yo! We heard y’all working, I gotta be down!’ That’s amazing,” said T-Boz during a press conference last week.

I for one can’t wait for October because Chilli and T-Boz are surely putting in work and they have knowledgeable and extremely talented people backing them up.  As I see it, October will be their last shot for a return to a successful musical career so let’s cross our fingers in hope that it’s the time when not only Left Eye’s memory lives on forever but the remaining duo can also shine on.

Let us know if you are looking forward to TLC’S new album and film; and if you think the group can make a successful comeback or not.