TLC is finally looking to record its long-awaited fifth studio album, and T-Boz and Chilli are looking for your help. The "Waterfalls" band has joined the likes of Amanda Palmer and Neil Young to use Kickstarter to fund its next creative project.
TLC launched its Kickstarter yesterday (Jan. 19) for its follow-up to 2002's 3D. T-Boz and Chilli have declared it to be the last official TLC studio album, and it's one for the fans, containing politically-minded and issue centric lyrics and content that is "universal and untouchable."
"We owe so much of our success to you. Your loyalty and support throughout the past 20 years motivates us to do our best work. Without you, we wouldn't have ten top 10 singles and four number 1 singles. We wouldn't have won five Grammy awards or sold 65 million records worldwide. Without you, we wouldn't have become the most successful girl group of all time! Without you there would be no TLC!!
This album, our FINAL ALBUM, is dedicated to all of you that have stuck with us, always challenging us to do our best. And of course, it's for the new fans too! ;) We just want to put out great music that touches everyone. That's it," the duo wrote on its Kickstarter page.
And though the mega-stars -- who as they pointed out have won five Grammys and moved tens of millions of albums -- may get some flack for crowdsourcing its new album, TLC is insistent that they want to make album No. 5 for themselves and their fans. "While major labels offer artists multimillion dollar recording and marketing budgets, they don't often give artists complete control of their own music. It is ESSENTIAL that we create our final album completely on our own terms, without any restrictions, with YOU," they wrote.
TLC is asking for $150,000 to reach its goal in the next 30 days. Donation amounts can range from $5 for access to voting on a remix song to $7500, wherein a fan will get a photoshoot with T-Boz and Chilli as well as a slew of other prizes.
The Kickstarter marks an estimated delivery of September 2015, meaning the new album is aiming for a fall release.
The untitled fifth TLC album is a long-awaited project. T-Boz and Chilli first teased new music in 2013 with the release of its documentary CrazySexyCool and a new Ne-Yo produced single "Meant to Be."
