TLC's history began in the early 1990s when Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas formed the group in Atlanta, Georgia. The trio originally called themselves 2nd Nature and later changed their name to TLC, which stood for the members' initials. They signed a record deal with LaFace Records in 1991 and released their debut album, "Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip," the following year.
The album was a huge success, reaching number 14 on the Billboard 200 chart and spawning several hit singles, including "Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg" and "What About Your Friends." The group's follow-up album, "CrazySexyCool," was released in 1994 and became one of the best-selling albums of all time, selling over 14 million copies worldwide. The album featured hit singles like "Waterfalls," "Creep," and "Red Light Special" and earned TLC two Grammy Awards.
TLC's success continued with the release of their third album, "FanMail," in 1999. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and sold over 10 million copies worldwide. It featured hit singles like "No Scrubs" and "Unpretty" and earned TLC three Grammy nominations.
Throughout their career, TLC faced various challenges, including financial troubles and personal conflicts. In 2002, tragedy struck the group when Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes died in a car accident in Honduras. T-Boz and Chilli continued to perform as TLC, releasing their fourth album, "3D," later that year. The album was a tribute to Lopes and featured guest appearances by Missy Elliott and Lil Jon. It debuted at number six on the Billboard 200 chart and earned TLC another Grammy nomination.
Despite the loss of Left Eye, TLC's legacy continued to live on as one of the most successful and influential girl groups of all time. In 2013, TLC released their album, "20," which celebrated the group's 20th anniversary and featured new recordings of some of their classic hits. Today, TLC remains an inspiration to countless artists and fans around the world, and their music continues to be celebrated for its powerful messages and infectious beats.
TLC's last album titled TLC, released in 2017, was their fifth and final studio album, and the first in 15 years. The album featured collaborations with Snoop Dogg and T.I. and showcased the group's signature sound, combining R&B, hip-hop, and pop music. It addressed social and political issues such as police brutality and women's rights. The lead single "Way Back" was a nostalgic nod to the group's early days, and other standout tracks included "Haters" and "American Gold." Despite receiving mixed reviews, the album debuted at number 38 on the Billboard 200 chart and earned the group a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album.
The release of "TLC" marked the end of an era for the group, as T-Boz and Chilli announced that they would no longer record new music together. However, their legacy as one of the most successful and influential girl groups of all time lives on.