Tuesday, October 09, 2007

I miss TLC -- w/ recent update



Sorry I haven't been posting here as much... I've been blogging over at Planned Parenthood along with some other talented writers.

Check it out

~ Tobes


PS: I really miss TLC *sigh*






Update-- from my comment field-- the question was raised -- WHY would you like TLC when their female singers had run-ins with the law, accusations of hitting boyfriends, drug arrest, and arson charges-- well here is my response.

The R&B/Rap music scene is mostly dominated by men and can often times be very misogynistic. TLC was one of the groups that successfully challenged this norm and did it while singing/rapping songs about issues that really affected women.

They sing about the beauty culture obsession in “Unpretty.” And then in "No scrubs" they talk about women desiring better men/partners rather than guys who “holler at” or simply disrespect them. And the song “Girl Talk” is just a great anthem as far as saying–- women are sexual, they want to be satisfied sexually and if you can’t handle that or aren’t gonna “put in work” then step off.

I loved so many of their messages and all personal scandals aside (I never heard about any domestic violence charges-- only the drug charge and the arson fiasco), these girls had some great hits. They were tough and they made music that spoke to women—

Like I said, in the entertainment biz, it’s HUGE and RARE to get attention for speaking about female experiences or at least letting a female give her opinion on human experience. If you don’t believe me-- CLICK HERE.

4 comments:

Sarah @ All The Book Blog Names Are Taken said...

Ditto.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, they were definitely good representation for strong, independent women. Especially with Chili's drug arrest, and arson charges against Left Eye for burning down her boyfriend's house. As somebody that always preaches against violence in a relationship (she was also charged for destroying two cars and repeatedly hitting her boyfriend that night) I find it somewhat baffling that you care they are gone.

Good riddance.

Anonymous said...

They weren't fantastic role models, sure. But I feel that they were a very important influence for my generation (mid-20s) in that they were the first strong woman influence in music that I can recall, especially in the pop genre. This was before the days of Beyonce, Pink, Christina Aguilera, etc. As a young girl the only woman I could listen to was the personality-void Mariah Carey. TLC opened the door for other pop artists like Destiny's Child, even Alanis Morisette, in my opinion. Do I miss their music and/or influence? No. But I do give them props for unabashedly being who they were and lending their voices to a blossoming new identity for modern women.

Tobes said...

Word Adrienne.

The R&B/Rap music scene is mostly dominated by men and can often times be very misogynistic. TLC was one of the groups that successfully challenged this norm and did it while singing/rapping songs about issues that really affected women.

The obsession with beauty culture in “Unpretty” or women desiring better men/partners rather than guys who “holler at” or simply disrespect them in their hit, “No scrubs.” And the song “Girl Talk” is just a great anthem as far as – women are sexual, they want to be satisfied sexually and if you can’t handle that or aren’t gonna “put in work” then step off.

I loved so many of their messages and personal fiascos aside, these girls had some great hits. They were tough and they made music that spoke to women—

Like I said, in the entertainment biz, it’s HUGE and RARE to get attention for speaking about female experiences or at least letting a female give her opinion on human experience. If you don’t believe me-- http://www.cinemaretro.com/index.php?/archives/432-WARNER-BROS-EXEC-NO-MORE-FILMS-WITH-FEMALE-LEADS.html)