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Photo by Ben Gabbe/Getty ImagesShortly after TLC launched the Kickstarter campaign to fund what they’re calling their final album, fans begun to wonder what direction the girl group was heading in for the project. Well, it looks like Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas have tapped veteran producer/label executive Ron Fair — most recently Virgin’s chief creative officer — to be the set’s executive producer.
“The return of TLC is surrounded by incredible positivity,” Fair tells Billboard. “The entire creative community of artists, producers and songwriters is invited to the celebration.”
Fair, who has worked with everyone from Mary J. Blige to Chrisitina Aguilera, will work alongside TLC’s longtime collaborator Dallas Austin, who co-wrote their biggest hits, including “Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Beg,” “Creep” and “Unpretty.”
Although they have yet to spill details on collaborations, it seems their late group member Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, who died in a car accident in 2002, will not be featured on the album. “When we did the last album, 3D, we were searching really hard to find [unreleased Left Eye verses] to go with songs we were working on,” says Chilli of the album that she and T-Boz completed after Left Eye’s death. “So probably not [this time], but I’m not going to say ‘no,’ because if something authentic can come together, we’re going to do it.”
As previously reported, TLC announced that they were looking for fans to fund and be involved with their upcoming effort. They’ve surpassed their goal of raising $150,000 in 30 days — they’ve raised more than $250,000 as of January 30.
