Lisa Left Eye Lopes To Release Solo Record Prior To New TLC! (1998)

7.15.98 12:15 EDT

TLC's Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes is recording a solo album in addition to a new record with TLC.

The singer tells MTV News that her solo project will be out prior to the new TLC release, the trio's third, which is now not expected to drop until early 1999. The record, their first since 1994's "CrazySexyCool," was first delayed by their efforts to leave their label, LaFace, and a related bankruptcy case, and most recently a reported fee dispute with longtime collaborator writer/producer Dallas Austin.

These days TLC has a new deal with LaFace and Lopes confirms that Austin has now completed his contributions to the album, adding that Babyface, the face behind LaFace, is still expected to do his part for the record. Sessions have also reportedly been completed with Jermaine Dupri, Organized Noize and Track Masterz, plus Jay-Z has told press sources he will also be appearing on the album.

Meanwhile Lopes confirms she's recording in Orlando, Florida--the home of Transcontinental, the management team she shares with the Backstreet Boys--with the "Green Eyed Bandit," a/k/a/ EPMD's Erick Sermon. Lopes, who declined to disclose the title or guess at a release date, says the album won't be a garden variety CD but instead a CDRom.

"It's all hi-tech, interactive, DVD, the whole nine-yards," says Lopes.

"It's going to take all of my fans on a journey. They'll be a part of it."

"It will be very flavorful - very left eye," she adds.

Lopes says her album may or may not come out on LaFace and alludes to current negotiations. "I can't talk about the options," says Lopes, "but either way it's definitely coming out." She says that the other members of TLC--Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas-are supportive of the project and have congratulated her and wished her luck.

Lopes also confirms that she has put up her own recording studio in her home in Atlanta, and is currently working with bands she's signed to her Left Eye Productions which has a development deal with Sony. She's signed two artists so far, a trio of male rappers called Jena-Si Qua and a female trio called Blaque.

And it seems Lopes isn't the only TLC member taking on a side project. T-Boz is currently filming a movie called "Belly" for video turned-film director Hype Williams.