Known for its members’ flamboyant outfits and musical creativity, TLC is ranked as one of the greatest musical acts of all time by Billboard magazine. T-Boz, Left Eye, and Chilli propelled their band to extreme success in the 1990s, aided heavily by 1994’s CrazySexyCool.

The record sold more than 11 million copies in the United States and went on to win a Grammy for best R&B album. TLC released four singles from CrazySexyCool, all reaching the top five on the singles charts.

“Diggin’ on You” reached No. 5, and “Creep,” the album’s first single, reached No. 1. But that is no comparison with the album’s — and the trio’s — biggest hit, “Waterfalls.” The monstrously popular track (also a No. 1 hit) was ahead of its time with lyrics on such issues as drugs and unsafe sex.

“Waterfalls” is only one of many tracks that include Left Eye’s talented rapping ability atop the groups smooth vocal harmonies. Other tracks, such as “Red Light Special,” reveal the group’s sensual side.

While TLC is no longer a trio (Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes was killed in a car accident in 2002), CrazySexyCool, the glitzy, ground-breaking album that turned the band into a bona fide phenomenon, will never die.

— by Josie Jones