TLC’s Chili and T-Boz on Kickstarter page
THEY'RE BACK
If you consider yourself a diehard fan of TLC, prepare to send them a cheque.
The iconic nineties pop group will reunite in order to record a fifth and final album – but TLC originals T-Boz and Chili want the money up front.
Best known for hits like Waterfalls and Red Light Special, TLC unofficially disbanded in 2002 shortly after the death of founding member Lisa (Left Eye) Lopes.
On Monday, T-Boz and Chili (real names: Tionne Watkins and Rozonda Thomas) announced their plans to fund the new album with a Kickstarter campaign.
The Kickstarter page is titled "TLC is BACK to make our FINAL ALBUM with YOU!" and includes a video in which T-Boz and Chili appear in a recording studio to explain why they're reaching out to fans.
According to T-Boz, crowdfunding the album will give contributors "complete creative control" over their new music. She also claims that "the only people we'll be talking to and asking their opinion is the fans."
The descriptor below the video states: "We wouldn't dream of making our final album with anyone BUT our fans. Come on y'all, BE A PART OF TLC HISTORY!"
As of midday Tuesday, the Kickstarter campaign had generated $65,000 (U.S.). The deadline for contributions is Feb. 19.
And here's the truly interesting part of the plan: In order to reach their goal, T-Boz and Chili have agreed to a series of fan-driven incentives to reach their total goal of $150,000. Says Chili in the video: " 'Cause this is TLC, we're gonna hook you up!"
According to the Kickstarter page, a pledge of $7,500 or more will allow a fan to take part in a photo shoot with TLC in Los Angeles (travel and accommodation not included).
A pledge of $5,000 entitles you to a "TLC Slumber Party" (with either T-Boz or Chili). And a pledge of $2,500 gets you an invite to a TLC Listening Party in Los Angeles.
On the more affordable scale, a pledge of $5 or more will give the donor a "Kickstarter Exclusive Remix," along with "behind the scenes updates about the album."
Confirmation of the new TLC album, tentatively scheduled for release in September, came in the form of a tweet from the group's Twitter account (@OfficialTLC) stating, "It's OFFICIAL. We are making a FINAL ALBUM. We need YOU to make it happen on @kickstarter!!!"
And while the new album is still in the formative stages, there's the remote possibility that the late Lopes could lend her voice to the project.
"I'm not going to say no, because we're open to it," said Chili in a recent interview with Billboard. "But at the end of the day, everyone knows how much we love our sister. You go to our show, you feel her presence."
TWEET REWIND
Seth Rogen is backing away from his recent negative Twitter comments on the film American Sniper. Last weekend, the Canadian comic actor posted a tweet stating, "American Sniper kind of reminds me of the movie that's showing in the third act of Inglorious Basterds." The comment prompted hundreds of commenters to flood his Twitter account with angry rants. On Monday night, Rogen backtracked with a tweet saying, "I just said something 'kinda reminded' me of something else. I actually liked American Sniper. It just reminded me of the Tarantino scene." Rogen followed up with a subsequent tweet stating, "I wasn't comparing the two. Big difference between comparing and remind. Apples remind me of oranges. Can't compare them, though."
ROASTING BIEBS
Justin Bieber is about to catch some heat. The Canadian pop star will be roasted by celebrities on his own Comedy Central special, the network announced in a release. Bieber has agreed to take part in the skewering in a special to be taped in Los Angeles on March 7, reports Us Weekly. No word yet on which celebrities will perform on the roast. Bieber made the announcement official late Monday with his tweet stating, "For years I have wanted Comedy Central to roast me. They said only if I provided them w/more material so for a year now I have worked hard." He went on to tweet: "Finally after all that hard work for my 21st bday it's happening." Bieber turns 21 on March 1.