April 25, 2022, marks the 20th Anniversary of Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes’s passing. She was a member of the R&B group TLC and had a brief solo career. She made a mark on the music many remember, even 20 years after she passed away.
Origin of the Nickname Left Eye
According to sources, Lisa Lopes got the nickname from New Edition member Michael Bivins found her left eye attractive, which seemed more slanted than the right one. Sometimes Left Eye has a black stripe under her left eye.
TLC 1990 – 1999
Lisa Lopes was with the R&B group TLC from 1990 to 1999. She joined TLC in 1991. The band saw early success with their first album Ooooooohhh… On the TLC Tip (1992). She had three other records with the group, including one she started entitled 3D, then got completed after her passing. There was one final album called TLC, an eponymous record released in 2017.
She had impressive rap sequences in songs, including TLC’s famous singles, No Scrubs and Unpretty. There are five albums, including two after her death and one in 2002 entitled, with a significant part finished after Lopes’ passing.
Solo Career 1998 – 2002
Lisa Lopes had three albums and one EP: one studio record, Supernova. Her other two albums were posthumous: one entitled Eye Legacy and another, an unreleased album called N.I.N.A. The posthumous EP was entitled Forever.
Supernova was Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes’ only studio album (before she passed away), bold and edgy. It includes the song Block Party. She had incredible talent. She knew how to write and perform songs about various subjects, including profound issues. The music was innovative and marked the R&B/Hip Hop scene.
She also performed with various artists and bands, including a part in Nsync’s Space Cowboy and another in a single by Melanie C (Sport Spice from Spice Girls), Never Be The Same Again. Those were examples among many.
Her musical style was impressive – she had a blend of R&B, Hip Hop, Pop, and some Cape Verdean sounds. Her voice was rich, deep and bold. She sang with heart and soul, as well as confidence and edge. Her impact on the music scene is unforgettable.
Legacy
Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes wasn’t only a singer, but she had other skills. The
most impressive one was her talent agency Left Eye Productions. She also hosted an MTV show called The Cut.
She leaves behind a remarkable legacy. She had an incredible influence on the music scene as a woman, an R&B/ Hip-Hop singer and a Black artist. Her posthumous material honours Lisa Lopes’s legacy and life.
Rest in Peace and Power, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes
