BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY
Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes
Rapper, Singer (1971–2002)
Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes was a singer and rapper known for her work with the 1990s group TLC.
Synopsis
TLC formed in 1991, with Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes lending her rapping skills to the group, and their first album produced three Top 10 hits. TLC's 1994 follow-up, Crazysexycool, sold more than 11 million copies in the United States and featured three No. 1 hits. Lopes's personal life, though, was marred by her rocky relationship with football great Andre Rison, and in 1994, she was arrested for burning down his home. Lopes died in a car accident on April 25, 2002, in Roma (near La Ceiba), Honduras.
Early Career
Singer and rapper Lisa "Left Eye" Nicole Lopes was born on May 27, 1971, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Lopes was a member of the hip-hop/R&B group TLC. Known for her brash, uncompromising demeanor, Lopes engineered the group's brand of empowered womanhood that vaulted the trio to the top of the pop charts.
The group formed in 1991, with Lopes lending her rapping talents to fellow members Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas. Their first album, Oooooooh . . . On the TLC Tip, was released the following year and was an immediate success. The album produced three Top 10 hits. The group's 1994 follow-up, Crazysexycool, sold more than 11 million copies in the United States alone and featured three No. 1 hits: "Creep," "Red Light Special" and "Waterfalls." The album also earned the trio two Grammy Awards.
Personal Issues
Although Left Eye's professional life was booming, her personal life was troubled because of her tumultous relationship with football player Andre Rison. In 1994, Left Eye was arrested for burning down Rison's home. Left Eye escaped jail time, but debts incurred from the incident forced TLC to declare bankruptcy in 1995.
Later Projects
After the lengthy hiatus, the band returned to the studio in 1999 and emerged with the album Fanmail, which earned the trio another pair of Grammy Awards in the R&B category.
In 2000, Left Eye embarked on a solo project later titled Supernova. Although the release date for the album was originally set for August, 2001, the date was repeatedly postponed. The album was broadcast over the internet later that year.
Tragic Death
On April 25, 2002, with Supernova yet to be formally released and a fourth TLC album still in production, Lopes was killed in a car accident on a highway in Roma (near La Ceiba), Honduras, where the singer owned a condominium
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