I have to admit that in 1992 when TLC sang about not being "too proud
to beg" as Lisa, with over-sized scissors in hand, chased a half
dressed muscular man across the video screen ala' Groucho Marx, I did
think they were silly. Afterall, their appearance on the music scene
came shortly after BBD defined R&B/Hip-Hop's look with baggy jeans and
bright colored clothing - inevitably making sloppiness cool. TLC,
many thought, were trying to be the female version. "I was wearing
mix-matched shoes before BBD came out and I was wearing boxer shorts
before there was a TLC," counters Lisa.
Yet, their slouchy look was unique in the fact that they were
perceived as sexy - if not freaky - without showing their skins.
Tionne's husky vocals, Rozonda's flirty ways and sweet sound, plus
Lisa's high-pitched, but aggressive raps warmed a lot of hearts. On
wax, their declaration for female independencies discussed
relationships and sexual matters through humor. Wearing condoms as
accessories, "gave a forum for kids to discuss the issues," says
Rozonda. "We received many letters from parents thanking us for
making condoms a fashion statement because it opened a way for them to
talk about sex with their kids. We did get some negative responses,
but the overall response was good."
The response was more than good since their debut album,
Ooooooohhh...on The TLC Tip, neared triple platinum; the singles,
"Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg," and "What About Your Friends," went Number Two,
and platinum and gold respectively, and the third single, "Baby, Baby,
Baby," reached Number One and also went platinum. "When we were out
the last time, Boyz II Men and Whitney Houston's songs were always in
our way," says Tionne jokingly. "We were always Number Two but never
Number One and we were like why they got to be out when we're out."
Their acceptance, nevertheless, was immediate and they made television
and motion picture appearances which kept them in the public's eye
until their sophomore CD, CrazySexyCool, was released.
