I love the 90s. It’s only natural because I was born in 1986, which means I am a child of the 90s. All of my childhood memories are based in that era, and frankly, I had a great time.
I have great nostalgia when listening to the music of the 90s because it takes me back to what I was doing and who I was. I remember when LL Cool J’s song “Doin’ it Well” was released in 1996. My mother clearly told me not to sing that song because of its content matter. I still sang it anyway. I remember watching the Saturday morning line up on ABC and loving Schoolhouse Rock and Sylvester and Tweety. I also remember Snick, that’s Saturday Night Nick, and watching All That and Cousin Skeeter. The 90s were a great time. The theme of this installment is the 90’s. Everything here has to do with the 90s, including the interview with TLC and the Rundown. Here it is. Enjoy.
A few weeks ago I attended the Terrell Suggs Celebrity Weekend, which benefited the William E. Proudford Sickle Cell Foundation.
I had the chance to interview TLC at the event.
TLC: A Phoenix Rising
When I first met TLC, I was a little shocked at how small they were and the fact they looked exactly the same. I remember T-Boz wearing the sideburn pieces in the 90s, and my mother, who dyed her hair blonde, bought some pieces and glued them to the side of her head. I love you Mommy but I don’t know how good it looked on anyone. But anyway, if you want to look like them at almost 40, take their advice. Chili and T-Boz swear by no drinking alcohol, smoking, and drinking a lot of water. They also said having mothers who look young doesn’t hurt either.
As I talked to Chili and T-Boz, for the five minutes we were allotted, we learned how they really felt about music today. You cannot deny that TLC had a message. They wore condoms on bright-colored, baggy clothes, which diminished their sexuality. The first album was about selling the music and the TLC brand, while the second album allowed TLC to put the condoms to better use as they explored their feminine side with Crazy Sexy Cool. “I think there’s no creativity and everyone’s playing it safe. A lot of people sing about sex and it’s just about the beat,” says T-Boz.
TLC is a phoenix rising. How many groups have survived bankruptcy, nearly imploding, bad managers, a fire, the death of a group member and have still managed to stand strong? Every time something bad happens to them, the group dusts themselves off and comes back even stronger.
“To me when people would come up and talk about how our songs helped them when they were feeling bad or wanted to get surgery, but didn’t because they heard “Unpretty” and decided not to, that means everything to me because that showed me we’re doing what we’re supposed to do,” says Chili.
What’s next for TLC? If you watch Real Housewives of Atlanta, then you know T-Boz is working on an album, with “housewife” Kandi, which will be released in 2010. Both ladies are exploring the world of reality television. T-Boz was on Celebrity Apprentice where she was fired for offering to come back to the boardroom. Chili will star in a VH1 “Celebreality” show that will be dedicated to her quest to find “love.” Although both ladies are busy, they still find time to perform and attend events such as the Terrell Suggs Celebrity Weekend.
The Rundown: The 90s.
The 1990s was a very unique time in urban music. Sex was beginning to openly invade our airways in the most overt way ever and music was very upbeat. In the 70s, most love songs were slow ballads that made you want to fall in love. Twenty years later, love songs were upbeat and usually told of something naughty that the singer wanted to do to the object of their affection. In keeping with the 90s theme, here is a list of artists who were very popular in the 90s
People that were getting it in the 90s:
Heavy D: I don’t think there’s one person who can deny that Heavy D was the man in the 90s. He could rap, dance and act. Plus, he was a great business man because he took over Uptown Records after Andre Harrell moved to Motown Records. What happened to Uptown records is anyone’s guess, but now Heavy D is a reggae artist. Go figure.
Jodeci: No matter how messed up they may be, they keep a book of all the girls they’ve slept with and have inspired modern male R&B groups. Jodeci looked good and their music was on point. K-CI and Jo-Jo have had solo success (minus Jo-Jo falling out on stage a few months ago and no one helping them). Plus, they have released a new video with H-Town called “Knocking Boots.”
Puff Daddy: Everyone has an opinion about Sean Combs but you cannot deny that he is a bonafide business man. He launched one of the most successful labels of the 90s and is still heavily involved in television, music, and movies. Plus, he brought us Biggie.
Tupac: I still don’t know what was wrong with Tupac. He was always arrested, involved in fights, spitting at cameras and acting like Afeni Shakur didn’t raise him right. But I love Tupac. I love his music, poetry, and message. Tupac was one of the most prolific artists of the 90s.
Mary J. Blige: Do not put on old Mary J. Blige if you are depressed. Mary had a hard life in the 90s. She couldn’t find a man to treat her right and she let the world know. But Mary J. Blige has had a profound effect on the music scene and she’s gotten herself together.
Notorious B.I.G: One of the biggest debates in Hip Hop is the Biggie vs. Tupac debate; as in who is the greatest rapper that ever lived. Even though Biggie was a great lyricist and performer, one cannot help but wonder if he would have fallen to the waste side. Before anyone tries to argue me down, facts are facts. Biggie was a Bad Boy artist and Bad Boy artists have a habit of fading into obscurity. Frankly, we don’t want to know Biggie’s true fate had he lived.
TLC: They weren’t just another female group; they were the female group of the 90s. They were eccentric with their fashion, but the music was good enough that you were willing to look past the fact they stole the free clinic’s whole stash of condoms. Although they have experienced numerous tragedies, including bankruptcy and the death of Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, Chili and T-Boz have soldiered on.
Mariah Carey: She is the standard for female pop/R&B in the 90s. Mariah Carey is one of the most successful female singers ever, with 18 # 1 singles and a career that has spanned nearly 20 years. Plus, her husband isn’t too bad looking either.
Rappers turned Actors: Rap music was finally garnering the respect it deserved and that allowed artists to make a career change. If your career wasn’t popping like you wanted it to, you could always become an actor. Will Smith, Queen Latifah, Tupac and Ice Cube are among the most successful rappers turned actors.
Aaliyah: I couldn’t finish this list without mentioning her. Although she was reaching the peak of her talent and success when she died in 2001, Aaliyah carved a niche for herself. Dark glasses, baggy clothes, boxers and an illegal marriage to R. Kelly made Aaliyah one of the most interesting artists in the 90s.
R. Kelly: What can I say about R. Kelly? We all know he was the man. He could sing, produce and write songs that created many children out of wedlock. All controversy aside, R. Kelly has shaped male R &B. Although I don’t think you should be singing “Sex Me” one minute, and then “Heaven I need a Hug” after you get in trouble. I’m just saying.
Dru Hill: It easily can be argued that they imitated Jodeci’s sound but Dru Hill is definitely a legendary R&B group. I will admit the main reason they’re on this list is because they’re from Baltimore. Nevertheless, I love Dru Hill.
I could go on all day, really I could, but I won’t because there were a lot of successful artists in the 90s, many of whom are still going strong.
Before I leave, I must say this: I hate the fact that 90s fashion is coming back. I personally think that era’s fashion was a disaster. Why would you want to look like an eraser? It’s not attractive. Let the 90s keep the high top fades. I hate high top fades and hammer pants. I’m pretty sure everyone was talking about how ridiculous MC Hammer looked in the “Can’t Touch This” video, but that may just be me.
I have great nostalgia when listening to the music of the 90s because it takes me back to what I was doing and who I was. I remember when LL Cool J’s song “Doin’ it Well” was released in 1996. My mother clearly told me not to sing that song because of its content matter. I still sang it anyway. I remember watching the Saturday morning line up on ABC and loving Schoolhouse Rock and Sylvester and Tweety. I also remember Snick, that’s Saturday Night Nick, and watching All That and Cousin Skeeter. The 90s were a great time. The theme of this installment is the 90’s. Everything here has to do with the 90s, including the interview with TLC and the Rundown. Here it is. Enjoy. 
When I first met TLC, I was a little shocked at how small they were and the fact they looked exactly the same. I remember T-Boz wearing the sideburn pieces in the 90s, and my mother, who dyed her hair blonde, bought some pieces and glued them to the side of her head. I love you Mommy but I don’t know how good it looked on anyone. But anyway, if you want to look like them at almost 40, take their advice. Chili and T-Boz swear by no drinking alcohol, smoking, and drinking a lot of water. They also said having mothers who look young doesn’t hurt either. 
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