Are TLC re-moulding the game for independent artists? It could certainly be argued so.
During their heyday, the group were hailed as innovators and trailblazers. And, against the odds, it appears they’re reminding the naysayers why they enjoy such status.
As widely reported, the trio’s surviving members T-Boz ‘Tionne’ Watkins and Rozonda ‘Chilli’ Thomas launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to facilitate the recording of their fourth and final album.
With a set target of $150,000 and 30 days to reach it, the ladies appealed to fans to “become part of the process” by donating and giving incentives such as fitness classes with Chilli and trips to the movies with T-Boz.
Shade as some may, it’s working. Because less than two days since going live, the campaign is fast approaching its target total.
Details below…
As at writing, 1013 donors have helped the group generate over $100,000:
Artists are throwing their support behind the project too, although word has it the current figure is primarily fan donations:
A BIG Special THANK YOU 2 @katyperry for her pledge to our #Kickstarter Campaign! Your awesome!
— Tionne T-Boz Watkins (@TheRealTBOZ) January 21, 2015
It’s abundantly clear at this point that the ladies will likely reach their target with ample surplus.
We are very keen to see how the LP’s accompanying promo roll-out will be handled and hope that there’s a certain level of “premium” attached to the visuals and the like. After all, it’d be unfortunate if the fundraising aspect of the campaign succeeds only to be let down by poor marketing down the line.
In the here and now, kudos where due. The group, or should we say the fundraiser, are winning!
No wonder they are greedy! Brainless sheep giving their coins for nothing.
Thousands of hard-working independant artists would kill to have their exposure and upload online EPs/mixtapes/albums for their fans and for the sake of being an artist.
b****** go suck a d***** and shut up
How can you make an album with 150k you need atleast million dollars… next they will need money to promote the album and then ask for money to tour.. and you cant tell me tboz not dipping in the pot to pay some of her debt..
I think they gonna make a 10 song album and post it on iTunes….then if if do good, people gonna ask for them to perform
They’re going on tour with nkotb
Smh don’t u think they pre planned this? You know nothing about the music idustry. 150k is Good for an album especially if you don’t have any special guest artist. Some artist change 80k alone for a feature. So tlc went over the numbers & came to a conclusion that 150 is all they need for beats & engineers & studio time. & to market. Which would most likely be in iTunes.
Yeah but some producers charge 100k for a beat they must be using lil Pookie
People laughed at first, but like I said, TLC is legendary, fans will show up and show out. I’m going to see them on tour, I will show up late to miss Nelly and leave as soon as TLC walk off stage to avoid NKTB.
You US fans are so lucky! I can’t see the your reaching the UK tho. anyone think the material will be decent?! It just ain’t the same without Lisa
Them backer rewards are aweful. A f****** PDF….
good for them but their dragging will be epic when the album is not good!!! honestly the dragging will be longer than the stretch marks on Aretha Franklin tittes
Its so funny how now they are raising the funds people want to dappen there shine with outlandish expectations! as independent artist this girls have come up with a revolutionary way of raising funds to make the album which also includes a purchase of the album itself! They will never be able to raise the 2 million dollars it took to make a video like no scrubs, those days are done for every artist, this is there last album and there only wish is to do it there own way, without big labels telling them what to do and how to do it and offering greedy 360 Deals, they are most likely working with producers that will work for a small fee but are happy to take a cut out of publishing if the songs are used and most of the money will be sent on professional mastering and studio time with some put aside for promo and as T Boz said its about giving the same quality you’d expect from TLC. Times have changed and this industry does not care about Black artist in general, instead of mocking these artist when they try to come up with ways of still getting there music to there fans without being left broke we should be celebrating them and supporting them for keeping our favourite style of music alive!
this right here you spoke nothing but the truth
Great. They are legendary !!
This site is so funny to me. Sam and the rest had so much to say when the news was released about the Kickstarter, now they are on hush mouth. TLC FOREVER!!! For all you naysayers, *sticking up my middle finger* Me and TLC will see yall tricks at the top of the Billboard charts!!!
I’m so happy for them. I would donate but I’m not a fan. Shoot, they said, “If yall asses want another album, yall gon’ help pay fo’ the shitt” I HERD THAT! Congrats.
You know very little about the industry if you think 100k is enough to release an album.
RECORD not release! Reading is fundamental.
I hope they ask Nicki to feature in one of its songs. I always felt that she had that ‘Left-Eye’ vibe in some of her songs.
I don’t see what the problem is. Fans will be paying for the recording of the album anyway so why not? People have been funding TV shows, Movies, and albums on kickstarter forever. Kiley Dean has one for an EP too and she can out sing most of these huzzies out today. Just goes to show you there is a market for talent.
I MISS me some Kiley dean!
She is such a sweetheart. I met her in LA some years back.
Not a Fan so I’ll pass as usual…Carry On Folks!!
I shall donate. People can’t say their music didn’t influence, inspire, and entertain.
Ummm this will be their fifth album!
it’s their fifth album not fourth. ooh on the tlc tip, crazy s*** cool, fanmail, 3D.
Good for them!
Y’all know other artists wish they had that idea and THAT nerve. Clever move indeed.
I was skeptical at first, but clearly they have a plan in place that seems to be working. TLC are legendary trendsetters. There’s a reason why they’re the biggest Girl Group of all time.
Loved them since I was a kid and donated yesterday just to show support to real music again!!!!! With great lyrical content that will last and not these fads/gimmicks that come and go nowadays
I loved TLC as much as anybody else did, but they weren’t short of gimmicks either. Condoms on the clothes was a gimmick. Having respective members represent “Crazy,” “S***” and “Cool” was a gimmick. Posing in firefighter gear on the cover of Vibe after Lisa burned down Risen’s house was a gimmick. They had substance to back up their gimmicks and the music was top notch, but the attention seeking gimmicks were there.
I can’t believe the word “Se(x)y” is blocked out. Sam allows idiotic trolls turn this blog comments section into a cesspool of chaos, ignorance, stupidity and any other adjective that for the words ridiculous and unnecessary….but blocks out the word SE(X)Y. Ironic.
Told ya!
150k seems like an awfully small amount to fund the cost of recording an album. I hope that they have other financing in place and that this is just what the remainder of what they need. I know that this is an “independent” release, but I hope that it doesn’t sound like one, with a bunch of amateur/no-name songwriters and producers. Honestly, I know TLC is long past its prime, but damn you would think that as a collective that they’ve earned enough industry good will for some bigger names to help them out. Where’s Babyface and Dallas Austin? LA Reid couldn’t sign them to a measly distribution deal for one album, allowing them to oversee, control and own the production of the album while Epic just puts it out for a fee? It’s inspiring that they’re taking control of the situation by trying a new approach, but it’s after all their success still disheartening to see them go through these lengths when to get it done. And I hope there is a physical release, because I don’t do digital albums.