Biography   Timeline   Her Words   Remembering

When I think of all the times you made me laugh,
It makes me feel so sad to know
That you had somewhere to go

God knows I'll miss you
It breaks my heart to know you'll be away, so far
But I'll be with you
We'll meet in heaven some day
Till then I'll just look to the stars
And when I feel a breeze
Your Spirit's running free
I know you've smiled at me with love
And I can feel your touch

I will remember
Promise
I will not forget you
I'll see you when I see you
I'll never let the memories fade
I won't forget

Love has no ending
There are no goodbyes
Just a pause to celebrate your life
With all that's in me
I'll keep your flame burning bright
As you walk into eternal light
And when I feel a breeze
Your Spirit's running free
I know you've smiled at me with love
And I can feel your touch

Kenny Babyface Edmonds

Lisa Nicole Lopes lived a life of creativity, ambition, dedication to her artistry, and love of family and friends. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 27, 1971, Lisa is the first of three children born to Wanda Lopes Colemon and the late Ronald Lopes, Sr.

As a child, Lisa’s ear for music was exhibited by the age of 5, when she received a toy piano for Christmas. Though it was just a toy, Lisa learned to play actual songs on this instrument, impressing both family and friends. Lisa’s creativity was hardly limited to music only. Growing up as the big sister to her brother, Ronald, and a sister Raina, Lisa often entertained them with stories she wrote. Her gift as an artist was again exhibited during childhood, as she enjoyed drawing cartoons “just for the fun of it.”

Creatively gifted, music has always been interwoven in the fabric of Lisa’s being. Her devotion to music served as a source of comfort, mental release, emotional support, and a sense of fulfillment.

Fueled by ambition, Lisa moved to Atlanta in 1992, focused on pursuing a music career. Shortly after arriving here, Lisa met two ladies who soon became her best friends, collaborators and dream seekers. Together, Lisa, Tionne and Rozonda formed a hip-hop group that quickly captured the attention and the hearts of the world, TLC. Certainly Lisa’s creative influence was evident in the image and lyric’s of the TLC message. Their first CD, “Ooooooohhh On The TLC TIP,” sold millions. Lisa was responsible for the rap lyrics, and also designed the trios’ costumes as well as the CD cover. In later CD’s, “CrazySexyCool” and “Fanmail,” Lisa penned rap lyrics that mirrored her experiences , bared her heart, and depicted emotional and spiritual growth. Again, showing her creativity and natural talents, Lisa was responsible for designing the stage set for TLC’s first major tour, as well as providing the creative concepts in TLC’s videos. The unique image that TLC projected was created largely through Lisa’s creative insight/influence. TLC’s artistry and popularity was recognized throughout the world as the group received both national and international recognition.

Lisa’s natural talents also extended into cooking, sewing and music production. Considered an outstanding chef by family and close friends, Lisa was recently working on a culinary concept tentatively dubbed “Chef Eye Kitchen.” In collaboration with her uncle, Lisa launched a line of hip-hop fashions. And, through her production company, “Left Eye Productions,” Lisa served as a mentor to the female groups “Egypt,” “Blaque,” “Nandi,” and “Jena-si-qua.”

In recent years, Lisa became increasingly introspective, as she sought to discover and unleash her purpose. She regularly traveled to Honduras to commune with nature, participate in cleansing treatments, and focus on mental and spiritual renewal. Lisa took such delight in these travels, that she shared this experience with family and friends by bringing them to this “home away from home” to share her love for this experience. Those who know Lisa well are certainly acquainted with her generosity, vitality, independence and her ability to “keep it real.” Lisa enjoyed showering loved ones with her generosity, never expecting anything in return. It was not unusual to see Lisa reach out to help strangers. And, Lisa never failed to pay attention to young kids, whether they just wanted an autograph, a friendly ear, or simply to see a successful celebrity.

We will always remember the wonderful memories we have of Lisa. Her quick smile, ready wit, generosity, and determination will always remind us of the Lisa we knew and loved. Her legacy is reflected in her humanitarianism, creativity, and, the lyrics in which she shared her heart and soul with her fans. Lisa will be lovingly remembered and missed by her family, friends and fans. Cherishing all that the private Lisa represented are: her adoring mother, Wanda Lopes Colemon, step-father – Quynton Colemon; brother – Ronald Lopes; step-brother Quynlan Colemon; Reverend Sherman Washington “twodad”; maternal grandmother – “Granny Lillie’; Maternal grandfather and step-grandmother – Jose and Eva Andino; grandfather – Chic Chaneyfield; Paternal Great Grandmother – Reverend Helen B. Hewlett; uncles and aunts – Jose, Perez, Antonio, Michelle, Pamela, LaVeta, LaZanna, Dale, Charles Lopes, Anthony Lopes and Karen Chaneyfield; and, a host of Great Aunts and Uncles, cousins and loving friends.

“…Dreams are hopeless aspirations in hopes of comin’ true. Believe in yourself. The rest is up to me and you.“

- Waterfalls

Lisa Lopes
 

May 27, 1971
Lisa Nicole Lopes is born in Philadelphia

1991
TLC is formed when Arista president L.A. Reid's wife, R&B recording artist Pebbles ("Mercedes Boy"), put her back-up dancer, Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas, together with Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes -- who were in a still-developing trio called Second Nature.

July 1995
Although "CrazySexyCool" had sold more than 3 million copies by this point, TLC files for bankruptcy protection citing $1 million in assets and $3.5 million in debt.

Feb. 1999
TLC's "Fanmail" is released, and debuts at the top of the pop and R&B charts with help from its first single, "No Scrubs;" written and produced by Atlanta's Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs, Kandi Burruss and Tameka Cottle.

April 1999
Vibe hits the newsstands with Lopes hinting publicly for the first of many times that TLC may break up.
"I've graduated from this era. I cannot stand 100 percent behind this TLC project and the music that is supposed to represent me. This will be my last interview until I can speak freely about the truth and present myself on my solo project," Left Eye tells Anthony DeCurtis, who wrote the cover story.

Oct. 22 1999
After a stint years ago as an opening act for MC Hammer, TLC starts its first tour as headliners in Ottawa, Canada.

Nov. 1999
The Recording Industry Association of America names "CrazySexyCool" the best-selling hip-hop album of the 20th century.

Nov. 8 1999
LaFace Records hits the top of Billboard's R&B singles chart with Donell Jones' "U Know What's Up," featuring Lisa "Left-Eye" Lopes.

Jan. 4, 2000
TLC, already Grammy winners, receives the second-highest number of Grammy nominations this year: seven.

June 14, 2000
Rison announces he'll wed Left Eye at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Left Eye couldn't be reached to confirm, but once said, "You know, me and Andre just have a bond no one will understand. Sometimes, even I don't." Rison later announces that the two have parted ways.

December 29, 2001
Left Eye signs with Tha Row Records, an infamous West Coast label once known as Death Row Records. The record company says she will release a solo CD within a year under the pseudonym N.I.N.A. (New Identity Non-Applicable)

.April 25, 2002
Left Eye dies in a car crash in Honduras. For her funeral come over 30,000 fans all over the world. Her grave is in Lithonia (Georgia)

August 2002
Carson Daily announces MTV's new AID Scholarship for Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. TLC joins the stage at the VMA's for a beautiful tribute to Lisa.

November 6, 2002
TLC arrives at TRL with there new video, and first video without Left Eye, Girl Talk
 

November 12, 2002
TLC 3D is released

"I'm not here to change what people think of me. I'm here to change what people think of themselves."

"Now when I look in the mirror I see beauty, but it goes much deeper than looks. My thought process is beautiful to me."

"The first day you understand power is the day you realize you don't have it."

"If there's one thing I've learned from this business, it's to love myself. It's a dog eat dog world out there, and if I don't love me, I won't survive."

"It's easy for me to fall in love. I'm not the kind of person who believes you only fall in love once."

"Nobody's perfect. Name one person who is perfect in an imperfect world? Situations are bound to happen. It's how you deal with them that really matters."

"I didn't struggle this far to have people tear me down. I came out of some **** where it was like, I didn't know what I was doing. I finally started looking at myself like I'm worth something, and it's because I've accomplished everything those people told me I wouldn't. The best way for me to get those people back is it come back out even harder."

"What makes a star a "star" is the light that shines from within the person."

"People limit themselves and don't even realize it. How do you know you can't do something if you've never tried it? Be open-minded and always have high expectations; that way, you still achieve a lot even if you fall short of your goal."

"There's too many niggas sittin' on they ass, waitin' for **** to just happen. **** don't just happen. Don't **** around and miss the boat."

"Some people go through things and they fall all apart. I can say I went through a lot and that's what made me strong, but it's just my make-up."

"My favorite room in the house is the kitchen. I make more use out of it than of any other room in the house--cook, clean, bathe, eat, sleep, fax, watch TV, talk on the phone, ****, etc."

"I don't care if one day I'm in TLC and we're selling 20 million records and the next I'm sitting in a jail cell. It's not that I would prefer the jail cell to TLC, but, hey, it's not gonna break me."

"My love is music. More than I would like to be on stage , I would love to be responsible for the music that's on the radio. You know, the songs people love, I would like to have something to do with that."

"I'm very creative, and creativity has no end."

"I think you should flaunt what you have."

"I'd say my look is multi-flavored--like a pack of Life-Savers. You open a pack, you never know what color is going to be on top!"

"When it's time to do something, you've got to get up, look alive. It's show time, baby! Smile
for the cameras!"

[On Dallas Austin] "I know producers that could roll him up and smoke his ass."

"I have always been a very spiritual woman, I think we all have different heaven's. Mine will probably be me re-living my life over."

"My dream is to keep goin' forward and never go backwards, and I don't know just have like goals on top of goals on top of goals. "

"I'll whoop Foxy's ass!"

"I was sent to improve the quality of life."

"I'm living proof that you cannot judge a book by its cover."

"When Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes enters the private dining room at Fusebox to join T-Boz and Chilli,
it feels like a whirlwind has just blown through the door. Left Eye moves with real determination, and when she talks her words hit with full force. She doesn't just show up - she descends upon you." - Anthony DeCurtis (Journalist, VIBE Magazine)

"Always an enigma, and a true veteran when it comes to handling the drama that seems to gravitate towards her personal and professional life." - Sophisticate's Black Hair Magazine

"It didn't matter to me that she was a celebrity, it was just her that I loved." - Andre Rison (On again/Off again Boyfriend)

"Lisa is just the most real. She's feisty, but with a humble heart." - Andre Rison (On again/Off again Boyfriend)

"When you talk to Left Eye, you're taken off guard by her down home personality. She's one of those people that you feel like you've known for years. She doesn't mind talking to you about her experiences, good and bad." - Mad Rhythms Magazine

"Lisa was pretty much rebellious - whatever was going on."- Dallas Austin (Producer)

"Every man around Lisa falls in love with her."- Anonymous friend

"If she wasn't there [at the diversion center], I wouldn't talk to nobody. I had a bad temper, so I just kept quiet. I would look out for her and make sure she got up on time. She had a lateness problem. We kept each other on our p's and q's........We understand each other. We've been through some of the same things at different times. We can sit down and talk about our problems. God put us together for a reason. We were headed for trouble, but we drifted off that road." - Trena (a friend Lisa met at the diversion center where she was incarcerated for her 1994 arson charge)

"Lisa's diminutive size and seeming vulnerability disguise an interior much tougher than most people think." - XXL Magazine

"Left Eye, man...who else has more personality than Left Eye?" - Donell Jones (Recording artist, collaborated with Left Eye on the song "U Know What's Up")

"Does Left Eye get more gorgeous by day or what?" Rudi M. (Black Beat Magazine Editor)

"Those who are against her and think she's setting a bad example and being a bad role model, need to check themselves before they try to check her and talk about her." - Teashia Peters (TLC fan who was published in Vibe Magazine)

"Beauty is not an adequate word to correctly describe Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes....[in TLC] it's Lopes to whom all the media attention generally falls on. And it's not just because she has the kind of perfect looks that could have inspired Da Vinci or makes men forget what day of the week it is. Without exaggeration, they're the sort of looks that because they're so balanced: the flawless skin, with no need for makeup; the well-proportioned petite figure and the orb-like eyes that quicken the pace of the male heart. But even though Lopes has the looks of an angel, she has a complex history enough to move the devil to repentance....This woman is disarmingly beautiful, enough to make a male journalist forget his questions or a female journalist write a scathing piece about style over substance. But in truth Lopes is a consummate professional, dodging my most obvious questions with ease, while at the same time telling me her airy vignettes with a charming honesty. There are things you can tell by the activity behind her eyes that she'd rather not talk about: her ex-boyfriend Rison and his burnt-out house, her private demons and her father, all the signs that any cod-psychologist would say that this girl has some unresolved issues. But who doesn't? Yet now, with her long black hair in pigtails, interspersed with shocking pink highlights, although small, the woman in front of me has the kind of star presence Paltrow would die for. She looks as serene as your average heaven-sent angel probably does, yet there is still a glimmer of unbreakable steel in her worldly eyes." Toussaint Davy (Journalist, PRIDE Magazine)

"I gotta say I get a kick outta Lisa, 'cause she too funny to me. She's like a character. She's a very talented person, she has many skills in many areas. When I first met her I was like, 'She can do a lot of stuff.' I was like, 'Dag.' She would sew everything with like, no pattern and just be like, 'Here you want this?' Just good with her fingers. And she plays an instrument! She can play all this Liberace stuff on the piano, stuff I always can relate to! But it's like, that real classical music and stuff, so she's real good in the music department. She's a real artistic person.....She tries to act like she hard, but she knows she got a soft heart." - T-Boz (TLC band mate)

"The great thing about Left Eye is that-and she has a problem. She is too nice. She is way too sweet. And the thing that makes me mad and that makes T-Boz mad is that she'll know that certain people aren't right around her, but she'll still keep 'em around and keep helpin' 'em and doin' stuff. She's that type of person. She's very caring-but she's stubborn. Even more stubborn than T-Boz. Like, we could be talking about something, and this woman right here, will know she is wrong. But because we're debating about it, she'll never back down and be like, 'OK, you right. You right, I'm wrong..' We'll never hear it." - Chilli (TLC band mate)

"[She is] one of the most interesting and perplexing figures in contemporary black music." - Craig Seymour (Journalist, Honey Magazine)

"She is my heart and I will love her forever." - Andre Rison (On again/Off again Boyfriend)

"The thing this industry is always lacking is individuality. She always said what she wanted to say and did what she wanted to do. What I liked most about her was that she was a rebel. She wasn't afraid to go against the grain." - Suge Knight (Tha Row CEO)

"Lisa was a wonderful person who always brought high energy and a great vibe when she walked into a room. She will truly be missed." - N'Sync (Recording artists)

"My heart is broken at the loss of Lisa Lopes. I was shocked and deeply saddened when I heard the tragic news. During the years we spent together, Lisa truly became like a daughter to me. When I look back on the differences we had concerning business matters, they seem so insignificant at a time like this. She had an amazing talent, a compassionate heart, and will be greatly missed. I will always love her. We are praying that the Lord will bring comfort and peace to members of Lisa's family and to Tionne and Rozonda." - Pebbles (TLC's former manager)

"TLC has always been one of my favorite groups. When they first came on, I always used to say, 'Damn, they remind me of myself.' They were real street, but always had this girlie-girl edge, just fun and not caring. After the video, we got really close, and she would always try to get me to go to Honduras with her. She was like, 'Kim, I'm telling you, it's beautiful out there.' There's a purifying lake she used to go to. There's a man out there who was a witch doctor or something who she would go to. He would cleanse your soul. She's been trying to get me to go out there for years. This year, I was really thinking about going out there. So it's weird that this happened." - Lil' Kim (Recording artist, friend)

"Lisa Lopes, she was a fun-loving kid, loving to be different. You saw that from the way [TLC] dressed, from their attitudes. She was the thug out of the group. 'Let's go hang out. Let's go all night long.' Her attitude was that wild side, whether she was making records or working in Burger King. She was the outlaw of the clique. The one that would be the center of attention in the news. She was looking at it like, 'Why don't people understand why I'm doing this?' " - Treach of Naughty by Nature (Recording artist)

"Yeah, I was in the studio. Redman's 2way went off and it said, 'Left Eye just got killed.' We didn't want to believe it. ... As soon as we found that out, the whole thing stopped. We threw it up for her. Got some drinks. All night I was thinking, like, 'Wow, she's gone.' I guess she would want to be remembered as just being her," he added. Nothing star-studded about her. Her. A lot of her friends and family ... a lot of people are feeling [the loss]." - Rockwilder (Producer, worked with Left Eye on the song "Hot!")

"Lisa was the kind of person that had a heart as big as Texas. My heart goes out to all the fans. My heart goes out to the family," - Usher (Recording artist, label mate)

"I am shocked, hurt and deeply saddened by the untimely death of Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. She was extremely talented and creative and I enjoyed working with her over the years ... memories which I will always hold dear to my heart. Lisa's death will definitely leave a huge void in the music industry. I send my love and sympathy to her family. Lisa was my friend, and I will miss her." - Babyface (Producer, friend)

"Lisa was part of the most amazing girl group of the '90s. They were a credible crossover band that paved the way for most female groups that followed. She was the 'crazy' in Crazy Sexy Cool and I had the privilege of presenting the MOBO's with her a couple of years ago which was great fun. Waterfalls will forever be an R&B classic." - Trevor Nelson (DJ)

"Unfortunately, her press coverage was not about her fantastic musical ability and the inspiration to many people, but that is how we will remember her. She was a gifted, talented artist with a colorful style and personality that will be remembered forever." - Kanya King (MOBO Awards founder)

"I was totally in shock the whole morning because it takes me back to Aaliyah. (Lopes) was one a kind, she definitely had her own style, way of dressing and rapping, the way she was one of a kind." - Tweet (Recording artist)

"I am deeply saddened to have heard the news this morning. Like everyone has said, I kinda grew up [to] their music. It is terribly tragic. My prayers are with her family and friends." - Mandy Moore (Recording artist)

"I was honored to be a label mate with the lovely Left Eye and I am sad that I will never be able to talk to her again. My prayers are with the surviving members of TLC and those close to her." - P!nk (Recording artist, label mate)

"She had a passion for what she did. She loved to work and she loved to make music." - Justin of N'Sync (Recording artist)

"She had high energy and a lust for life. She was always energetic." - JC of N'Sync (Recording Artist)

"I’ve met her a few times and you know it’s such a loss. Such a great loss. I mean she was the type of person you always looked at and put on that certain level because she always spoke her mind and she spoke from the heart and there’s not a lot of people out there that really have that. There are kind of yes people and yes man and she gave you what she really felt... she’s going to be greatly missed" - Joe (Recording artist)

"We're honoring her success and things she's been able to do in her life. And we're also honoring her family. We're kind of trying to be behind them in their time in honoring their privacy and hopefully get the message across that that kind of stuff is ridiculous. My sister and I listened to them growing up through high school," he said. "It's amazing when you wake up one day and hear news like that. You just can't believe that, just like that, somebody can be gone." - Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

"That was my heart. We're going to let her fly with wings like angels do. She's truly and definitely an angel." - Andre Rison (On-again/Off-again boyfriend)

"She was a lovely, witty, feisty woman and it's a great loss to the music world." - David Bowie (Recording artist)

"I am deeply saddened by the loss of Lisa Lopes. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends." - Christina Aguilera (Recording artist)

"We're all really sad to hear that she was in the accident. We're sending our love." - Gwen Stefani of No Doubt (Recording artist)

"Lisa was not only a gifted and talented musical inspiration, but more importantly she was like a daughter to me." - LA Reid (Head of Arista Records)