Celebrating the 30th anniversary of ‘CrazySexycool’ on November 15th: On this day in 1994, TLC released their sophomore album which perfected the still-relatively-young marriage of R&B and hip hop. It wasn’t just the sound though that set the landmark record – which would go on to sell over 15 million (!) records worldwide – apart from anything else on the airwaves at the time:
CrazySexyCool followed the trio’s successful 1992 debut ‘Ooooooohhh… On the TLC Tip’ whose high-energy singles and almost hyperactive music videos first introduced the trio as charismatic performers with incredible synergy (and with baggy outfits more colorful than a fruit salad). And while On the TLC Tip wasn’t shy about themes of self-expression already, as in the sex-positive ‘Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Beg’, the second album invited listeners to witness the coming-of-age of T-Boz, Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes, and Chilli.
CrazySexyCool was unapologetic feminine. It was vulnerable. It gave time to let that sink in, thanks to a smoother and more laid-back sound. And it provided social commentary by addressing issues often kept on the sidelines: ‘Waterfalls’ tackled social issues head-on, from addiction to HIV in a time when it was still highly stigmatized and hushed-up. Despite or rather because of the song’s audacity (while the uber-catchy chorus probably helped as well), Waterfalls became the album’s most successful single, topping charts worldwide.
Perhaps most revolutionary was the way TLC embraced their sexuality without shame: In tracks like ‘Creep’ and ‘Red Light Special,’ they explored themes of desire and self-worth, affirming that women could own their bodies and desires without judgment. By bravely discussing subjects that were personal yet universal, TLC invited listeners into a dialogue about life’s complexities on CrazySexyCool.
Along the way, they defied expectations about what women in music “should” sound (or be) like – which echoes in popular culture to this day – by making it clear that femininity was neither one-dimensional nor easily confined. TLC gave their audience permission to be all things at once: powerful and tender, bold yet introspective. And so were they: Left-Eye wasn’t just the crazy one. Chilli wasn’t just sexy. And T-Boz wasn’t just cool, as one could assume from the bright red album cover. This quote by the late Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes sums up the magic of their magnum opus best:
“‘CrazySexyCool’ doesn’t just describe us individually. It describes all the parts of every woman.”
Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes in VIBE Magazine
