VH1’s TLC biopic, CrazySexyCool aired last night and there were several key players left out of the story.
[READ: RECAP: ‘CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story’ + Watch Full Video]
Atlanta musical treasures Jermaine DuPri and Rico Wade are just two examples of people who weren’t mentioned that had a hand in the group’s success, and the way VH1 portrayed Crystal Selene Jones was interesting to say the least.
Jones has hit the tweets to offer a little insight about her ‘small’ roll in the creation of the group, stating:
Jones is rumored to be writing a tell-all from her memoirs but in the meantime,? I can help fill you in on the untold story of TLC B.C. (Before Chilli).
Details + photos of the “ORIGINAL” TLC group below…
The “Original” group consisted of Lisa ‘QT’ Lopes, Tionne ‘Madame T’ Watkins, Crystal ‘CHRYS’ Jones.
The TLC ‘CrazySexyCool’ biopic was entertaining to say the least.? The virtual reconciliation of the group brought back fond memories of that old Atlanta, but when the story was told there were so many gaps that Google couldn’t even help fill.
The forgotten areas are actually the meat and potatoes of the story, facts that could have added depth and unmeasured reality to the script.? But I get it… there’s only so much time to tell a “life” story right?
In early screenings, a contagious buzz permeated those who were on the sidelines during those hot times in the early 90?s.? And even those close to the remaining members of the group were left to wondering, ?What was so wrong with the truth??
That being said, let?s look at the story of TLC from the very beginning….
TLC was born out of the imagination of Atlanta record industry executive, Ian Burke, a man known for his keen sense of talent, concept and marketing, mostly responsible for discovering many of Atlanta?s most famed and beloved artists.
At that time, he was managing Crystal Jones a young singer/dancer whose look inspired him to develop the visual concept of what would eventually be called, TLC.
Ian and Crystal collectively imagined a female version of BBD, aka Bell Biv and DeVoe, an all-male group sensation of the 90?s, fusing R&B and Hip Hop; a revolutionary move at that time. The clothes, styling and sense of creative was born of those two minds and they were determined to seek out the other two girls to fulfill the vision.
Enter Atlanta?s own, Rico Wade.
Wade, a famed producer and celebrated Hip Hop trailblazer known for his contributions to the rise of the new Southern influence on Hip Hop, was one third of Organized Noize, the musical think tank behind Outkast and Goodie Mob.
Rico advised Ian to meet Tionne Watkins (now known as T-Boz) and to arrange a private audition with Lisa Lopes (aka Left Eye).
While Burke immediately saw potential in Tionne, he was unsure of how Lisa would fit; however it was at the urging of Crystal for him not to discount Lisa, until he heard her rhyme. Crystal was convinced that what they found was priceless and was certain that once Ian heard Lisa, he would see thing?s Crystal?s way.
Tionne was employed at an Atlanta area salon at the time and worked alongside fellow stylist Marie (who happened to be R&B diva Perri ?Pebbles? Reid?s stylist).
[READ: The ‘Unauthorized Biography of T-Boz… ]
Pebbles was in search of an all girl?s band and once Marie shared this information with Tionne, the three girls secured an audition. The girl?s performed a song called ‘I Got It Going On,’ which was produced by music industry giant Jermaine DuPri who incidentally is also responsible for coaching Tionne on the distinct and sexy lower-register growl for which she would come to be forever known.
It was Jermaine who urged Tionne to own her vocal distinction, which resulted in defining the identity of TLC. With that audition, the original TLC then known as ‘2nd Nature’, was born. It was Pebbles who decided to change their name to TLC. T, for Tionne, L for Lisa and C, for Crystal.
During those years Pebbles was at the apex of fame and popularity and was also married to mega-record industry influencer L.A. Reid.?? She possessed power, excess and wealth beyond the girls? imagination and it was this toxic mix of excitement and opportunity, that proved overwhelming to the young 2nd Nature, who had visions of recording sugar plums dancing in their heads.
The trio fell prey to Pebbles? savvy and since we all know the music industry is a shady game, there was deception and lies but there was also ‘thirst’ involved.
The looming promise of a future with Pebbles and her label Pebbletone, combined with greed and insecurity resulted in the dismantling of the original three and their founding manager, Crystal Jones.
The move left both Crystal Jones (the original “C” in TLC) and Ian Burke (the one responsible for executing the vision), outside of the loop.? Tionne and Lisa disconnected from their humble beginnings and signed their life away with Pebbletone, moving forward with Pebbles and seeking Crystal?s replacement.
One could surmise that their subsequent financial issues stemmed from the karma, but who knows?? The rest of the story is history….. subjective history, but history nonetheless.
What aired on Monday night was a slanted truth created to protect the remaining group members from any and all evidence of character-flaws.? While we all know the story TLC wasn’t meant to be a mirror image, the truth will always be the truth.
Crystal and Ian appeared on V-103’s Ryan Cameron morning show this morning and spoke about it as well…
VIDEO: Ian and Crystal on Ryan Cameron Morning Show (Part 1)
VIDEO: Ian and Crystal on Ryan Cameron Morning Show (Part 2)
VIDEO: Ian and Crystal on Ryan Cameron Morning Show (Part 3)