Sometimes referred to as "New Jill Swing," Atlanta-based hip-hop/R&B trio TLC formed as the female equivalent to the "New Jack Swing" sound of the early '90s. Assembled by successful singer/producer Pebbles, the group comprised Tione "T-Boz" Watkins, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas.

Their 1992 debut album on LaFace Records, Oooooooh...On the TLC Tip, was an immediate success with its blend of T-Boz's lead vocals, Chilli's harmonies and Left Eye's raps. "Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg," "What About Your Friends" and "Baby-Baby-Baby" all became Top 10 hits. In addition, the group's liberated feminist mentality and in-your-face sexuality brought them raves, respect and controversy, further fueled by their penchant for using brightly colored condoms as fashion accessories.

Shortly before the release of their second album, Crazysexycool, in 1994, Left Eye made headlines by herself when she was arrested for burning down the house of her boyfriend, football player Andre Rison. The incident didn't hinder sales of Crazysexycool as the record would eventually sell over 4 million copies. Featuring a more mature, laid-back sound, the album spawned three number one singles, "Creep," "Red Light Special" and "Waterfalls," and earned TLC two Grammys in 1996.

After a two-year hiatus, during which Lopes endured the fallout from her relationship with Rison, Watkins went public with her battle of sickle-cell anemia and Thomas gave birth to a son, the trio returned in 1999 with Fanmail