R.I.P. Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes

It's hard to believe that nine years ago today, we lost Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes, an exceptionally talented rapper & a treasure to the R&B community. I thought I would share the only solo video the TLC member was ever able to produce, as it holds a special place in my heart.

Album Review: Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes "Eye Legacy"

It's already been seven years since we lost crazysexycool TLC member Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes. No one had a style & personality like her, & no one has since. To celebrate her legacy, the new posthumous album Eye Legacy was created. Several guests came together to put together an album that includes both previously released & never-before-heard material from Left Eye. The result is an enjoyable, if not perfect, set that fans of the late Lisa Lopes will no doubt appreciate.

The Free-assisted "Spread Your Wings," which features Left Eye vocals from "Life Is Like A Park" off her debut solo disc Supernova, starts off Eye Legacy. The concept of the song is a good one & Free provides a great hook for the track. Bobby Valentino is featured on "In The Life," formerly "Rags To Riches" off Supernova. This one's alright, with Bobby doing a decent job with the chorus. "Legendary," or "Untouchable," follows & is one of the least changed songs of the bunch. TLC does make an appearance, alongside Missy Elliott, on first single "Let's Just Do It," which includes some really cool production & is a rightful (as well as obvious) choice to lead off the album.

Lil' Mama helps out on a reworked version of "Block Party," which was Supernova's first single back in the day. Nothing against Lil' Mama, as I liked her offering, but I wish they had left this one alone. "Listen," or "Universal Quest," could've done without its somewhat annoying hook. Chamillionaire & Bone Crusher are featured on the banger "Bounce," which is a fun song. The Wanya Morris-assisted "Let It Out" is a deep one that offers some interesting insight into Left Eye's mind. Ryan Toby & Claudette Ortiz help out on "Through The Pain," an excellent heartfelt track that even has Lisa shouting out TLC, "the unstoppable team."

Left Eye is flawless on "Forever," but I can't help but think she would've felt whoever is singing the chorus was being too cliche with it. Lisa's sister Reigndrop Lopes is wonderful on "Never Will Eye Eva." "L.I.S.A.," or "Let Me Live," is almost straight off Supernova. The "Let's Just Do It" remix could've been left off, as it only has a different beat, but I'll take what I can get. Reigndrop helps out on the album's closer "Crank It," a nice way to end Eye Legacy by showing off Left Eye's ability to entertain.

It's great to hear Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes' voice again. Though some songs were better than others, I liked the mix of material. They chose worthy material to include that we've heard before, but enough of it is new to make Eye Legacy worthwhile. A huge thank you to those who came together to make this project a reality.

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

New Stuff Tuesday

^Click To Purchase^

Today rings in the first cool new releases of 2009. First up is Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes' posthumous solo album Eye Legacy, which is an enjoyable set that brings back fond memories. I plan on reviewing the album, which includes the TLC & Missy Elliott-assisted lead single "Let's Just Do It" & a bonus DVD featuring some never-before-seen footage, soon. Also out today is the hilarious "Open Season 2." Feel free to check out both releases by clicking their respective covers above.

Listen To Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes' "Eye Legacy"

An album premiere is currently being hosted HERE for Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes' new album Eye Legacy, which is set to be released on January 27th. I haven't listened to the entire album yet, but for those of you who have heard Lisa's Supernova album, prepare for some serious deja vu.

Preview Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes' "Eye Legacy"

You can now listen to a snippet of every track on Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes' posthumous' album Eye Legacy HERE. This set should be interesting to say the least. Eye Legacy drops on January 27th.

Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes "Eye Legacy" Tracklisting

As we approach January 27th, the release date of Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes' posthumous solo album Eye Legacy, the tracklisting for the set has surfaced:

1. Spread Your Wings (ft. Free)
2. In The Life (ft. Bobby Valentino)
3. Legendary
4. Let's Just Do It (ft. TLC & Missy Elliott)
5. Block Party (ft. Lil' Mama)
6. Listen
7. Bounce (ft. Chamillionaire & Bone Crusher)
8. Let It Out (ft. Wanya Morris)
9. Through The Pain (ft. Ryan Toby & Claudette Ortiz)
10. Forever
11. Neva Will Eye Eva
12. L.I.S.A.
13. Let's Just Do It (Remix ft. TLC & Missy Elliott)
14. Crank It (ft. Reigndrop Lopes)

Though the likes of Bobby Valentino & Chamillionaire aren't particularly worthy, the turnout for this project isn't too shabby. I'm especially pleased to see TLC included because it's truly been too long. I must say that I'm liking the reappearance of "Block Party" here as well in at least some form because I've always loved the song & it never got proper recognition since Left Eye's solo debut Supernova still hasn't hit US soil. As many of Lisa's longtime fans must feel, I'm happy to see this finally being released.

[Source]

Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes "Eye Legacy" Details

The late Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes' second solo album will finally be released six years after her death. Eye Legacy, due November 11th [cover art to the left], will be a 12-track set featuring unreleased recordings from the TLC rapper alongside the likes of Lil' Mama, Missy Elliott (on first single "Let's Just Do It"), Chamillionaire, Tupac Shakur (on the song "Legendary"), & Bobby Valentino. Material from Lopes' first solo album Supernova will also be included, as the effort remains unreleased in the US. A portion of the proceeds from the album will go to the Lisa Lopes Foundation & her orphanage in Honduras. Read what the Lopes family had to say about this release:

"We hope people understand the message in Lisa's music & appreciate her as not just a member of TLC, but as a solo artist as well. This album is Left Eye's musical gift to her fans & adds to the beauty of her legacy."

It's been a long time coming, but I'm glad we will finally get to hear one last bit from Left Eye. I'm also pleased to see that the project has been formed in a somewhat tribute-like fashion, so that puts the icing on the cake. Lisa seemed like a very special person & she deserves to be recognized.

[Source, Source]