Lisa Nicole Lopes (stage name "Left Eye") (May 27, 1971 April 25, 2002) was born in Philadelphia in 1971. Her father exposed her to a wide range of music at an early age. She described herself, as an Army Brat, because she spent much of her growing years moving between black, white, and Hispanic neighborhoods during her fathers army tour of duties.
Lisa moved to Atlanta, Georgia, at the age of 19. Her musical career took off after meeting Tionne T-Boz Watkins and Rozonda Chilli Thomas. They would go on to form the renowned group simply called-TLC.
In 1992, they won critical acclaim for their debut album entitled, Oooooooh. On the TLC Tip. The groups successful artistry combined the elements, of smooth soul and urban R&B over the bouncing beats of hip-hop under the guidance of then producer, Pebbles. Their colorful imagery and sassy demeanor helped to catapult two hit singles entitled, Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg and Baby-Baby-Baby.
In earlier years, TLC became advocates for the awareness of safe-sex practices. During their performances the members would often don condoms on their apparel, while Lisa LeftEye Lopes wore a single condom over the left lens of her glasses. Lisa said that the nickname came about after a man told her, that her left eye was particularly beautiful. In later years, Lisa would opt to wear a single black line drawn beneath her left eye.
In 1994, their second album entitled, "CrazySexyCool," was certified by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales of 11 million copies in the United States. It topped the US Pop Charts for five weeks and established TLC as a successful female group. The multimillion-dollar special effects video for their ballad Waterfalls earned TLC two Grammys for the Best R&B album and R&B Performance by a Duo or Group in the Vocal Category Creep.
In 1999, FanMail secured TLC its status as one of the most successful female trios in music history, with album sales that topped over 8 million copies in the United States. The Supremes were the only female group with more US number one singles.
FanMail spawned two hit singles entitled, No Scrubs" and "Unpretty." The album yielded eight Grammy nominations and earned two Grammys for Best R&B Album and Best R&B Performance Scrubs.
With more than 20 million albums sold under her belt, Lisa decided to explore the possibilities of a solo existence outside of TLC. Her superstar status and behaviour outside of the music industry had begun to become a part of her popularity.
On Thursday, April 25, 2002, in Tegucigalpa, Honduras near the Caribbean port city of La Ceiba the music world would be forever changed. Tragedy struck and claimed the life of the beautiful and gifted 30 year-old singer/rapper Lisa Lopes at 5 p.m. She was vacationing with family members in the nearby town of Jutiapa.
On Thursday, May 3, 2002, the Atlanta suburb of Lithonia paid homage to the late singer/rapper Lisa Lopes in a funeral service attended by over 10,000 fans at the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. The ceremony opened with a video salute of Lopes, followed by a few words from Dekalb County CEO Vernon Jones, L.A. Reid, Pamela Young (Lisas aunt), and Ronald Lopes (her brother). Next, the gospel duo Mary, Mary performed along with others. The service concluded with words from Lopes mother and from Bernice King, daughter of slain activist the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. After the service immediate family members and close friends traveled to Hillandale Memorial Gardens to attend a private burial for Lisa. Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes is survived by her mother, a brother and sister, and Snow her 9-year-old daughter.
Don't grieve for her, for now she's free She's following the path God has laid, you see She took His hand when she heard HIm call She turned her back and left it all She could not stay another day To laugh, to love, to work or play Tasks left undone must stay that way She found that peace at the close of day If her parting has left a void Then fill it with remembered joys A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss These things she too will miss Be not burdened with times of sorrow For she wishes us the sunshine of tomorrow Her life's been full, she savored such Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch Perhaps her time seemed all too brief Don't lengthen it now with undue grief Lift up your hearts and peace to thee God wanted her now; He set her free
