How a mentorship from TLC's Left Eye launched the girl group Blaque to stardom
In short: Formed in 1996, the R&B trio Blaque achieved platinum success with their debut album and iconic hits like 808. Mentored by Lisa Left Eye Lopes, the group navigated a turbulent industry, enduring shelved albums, label changes, and a tragic loss that ultimately defined their complex, decades-long journey in music.
The origins of Blaque trace back to 1994, when Shamari Fears and Natina Reed began performing together in Atlanta. After Reed briefly left the music scene due to her father's religious objections, she eventually reconnected with Fears and Brandi Williams. The group was officially named after Blaque House, a production company owned by Ronald Lopes, the brother of TLC member Lisa Left Eye Lopes. Recognizing their potential, Left Eye took the trio under her wing, arranging demos and photo shoots that led to an audition for Sony Music CEO Tommy Mottola, securing them a deal with Columbia Records within six months.
Their self-titled debut album, released in 1999, was a commercial triumph, selling over 1 million copies and earning platinum certification. The lead single, 808, reached number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, while their follow-up, Bring It All to Me, peaked at number 5. Beyond music, the group gained cultural visibility through their roles as cheerleaders in the 2000 film Bring It On. However, the group's momentum faced significant hurdles. Their second album, Blaque Out, was shelved in 2001 after they were dropped by Columbia Records, and they faced further instability following the death of Ronald Lopes in 2002.
The group's history is marked by a series of unreleased projects and attempted comebacks. Throughout the mid-to-late 2000s, they worked on various albums, including Private Show, which never saw a formal release. A 2012 reunion was cut short by the accidental death of Natina Reed, who was struck by a car near Atlanta. Despite these challenges, the group's legacy persisted; their intended third album, Torch, was finally released in 2019. Today, the group remains a notable example of the high-stakes, often unpredictable nature of the late 90s and early 2000s R&B landscape.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Blaque
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/culture-blaque.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in US culture · More in Cultures · Latest · A–Z · All topics
