You know how the media is always criticizing artists about this and that, whenever he/she does something wrong? They are the first to say, "I told you so." When the artist does something positive, however, they are the first to say, "I didn't know that."

Well, in the years that Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes was with TLC, their image wasn't exactly squeaky clean, but then again it wasn't "dirty" either. The media and parents had something to say about a girl wearing condoms as a fashion statement (guess they didn't know she was promoting safe sex).

As time went on, the media was perplexed about what to do and think about the group, especially when TLC was between CD's.

Now, TLC was one of the greatest selling girl groups of this generation. Don't get me wrong, the Motown ladies did their thing for my generation, but there hasn't been a group that possessed the personality, style, and charismatic vision of TLC.

In 2001, Lisa left TLC to do her solo project, "Supernova." L.A. Reid realized that the CD might have been ahead of its time, and he declined to release it here in the United States. "Supernova" was released  overseas, where it was well received.

Critics were ruthless, saying this and that. Outside the US,  in a small village in Honduras, Left Eye escaped the trials and tribulations of the music business to concentrate her efforts on the Lisa Lopes Foundation.

While in Honduras, Left Eye adopted a little girl and founded a spiritual retreat.

Lisa's untimely death left everybody, the world over, stunned and shocked that her chapter had been closed.

A new chapter is beginning as Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes' family releases "Eye Legacy,": a collection of tracks featuring Missy Elliott, Reigndrop Lopes, Bobby Valentino, Wanya Morris (Boyz II Men), Ryan Toby and Claudette Ortiz (City High), LiL' Mama, Chamillionaire and Bone Crusher, and Free from 106 & Park St (BET).

This CD is raw, gritty, truthful, and dripping with a deep, southern groove. Lisa brings a style and flavor to all her songs. From the head-nodding "Spread Your Wings" to the club-bangers "Bounce" featuring Chamillionaire and Bone Crusher, and "Crank it" featuring Lisa's sister, Reigndrop, who sounds just like Lisa.

Lisa has gotten away from the arguably commercialized sound of TLC and brought out the raw, gritty, and down to earth style that we all know her for. If you are a fan of Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, like I am, then you need this CD in your collection to help carry Left Eye's legacy to future generations. Even though she's not here with us, she will always be here in spirit.

To hear more song samples go to www.lefteyelegacy.com, www.myspace.com/lefteyelegacy, & www.amazon.com.

Since there aren't videos for any of the songs yet. Let's take a look at Lisa's Block Party video off the "Supernova" CD, another classic that you must get for your collection.

and the remix on YouTube.

Marv D
The Urban Music Scene