Guest Blogger: Left Eye's legacy lives on

(Music, Famous Atlantans, Celebrity Stalking)

Atlanta mag's Ciara Walker attended the album release party for deceased TLC member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes's Eye Legacy.

I often find myself reminiscing on my younger days –days of sitting on bus fourteen with my friend LaTeisha ("Muffin" to her friends), listening to and singing songs by one of our favorite groups, TLC, as they played on the CD players we'd sneak to school.

Tuesday night, I relived those days as the family of deceased TLC member Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes celebrated the release of her solo album Eye Legacy –the first to be released in the U.S. Family, friends, and fellow artists filled Atlantic Station’s Ten Pin Alley to show support and as DJ Nabs played TLC hits and songs from Lisa’s new album, I couldn’t help but sing along and think of my dear friend.

The album, produced by Mass Appeal Entertainment, contains fifteen new tracks as well as a few from her first solo album Supernova (released outside the U.S.) that are reworked with new choruses and features. Co-producers include Lisa’s younger sister Reigndrop, The Heavy Weights, Sure Fire Music Group, and more. The single “Let’s Just Do It,” featuring Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas of TLC and Missy Elliott, was released two weeks before the album’s January 27th debut. Other features include: Reigndrop, Tupac, Bobby Valentino, Lil’ Mama, Chamillionaire, Bone Crusher, and more.

Ronnie DeVoe of New Edition hosted the night’s events, which included a performance by Knerds, a group of children who use music to educate; an auction of Left Eye memorabilia and other keepsakes; and a performance by Reigndrop. Proceeds from the auction went to The Lisa Lopes Foundation (LLF). Among the notables were: Monica, D. Woods (Danity Kane), Brandi Williams of Blaque (trio Left Eye discovered), Ron “Tricky” Montgomery (Chilli’s management team), Robert Mackey (fashion designer of J. Zemar; former Houston Texans LB), Sheree Whitfield (ATL Housewives), and more. There was also a special guest –Snow, the young girl Lisa was in the process of adopting when she died in 2002.

My night ended with Reigndrop’s tribute to Lisa. As the music started, a burst of energy came through the crowd and onto the stage, sharing her sister's style and singing her sister’s lyrics. For a moment, I was on the bus again. She later performed “Neva Will Eye Eva,” a song from the album that she and Lisa wrote–“Yo sis, I know you can hear me from up there. I rocked this out just for us. Reigndrops in my left eye.”

A piece of Left Eye's legacy:

Brandi Williams and fiance':

“Working with Lisa was like working with your big sister. It’s a bitter-sweet thing because she’s not here to see it, but we’re gonna keep her legacy alive and I’m very happy that her family was able to put this together and bring us all together one more time.

Brandi's Favorite [TLC] song: “Waterfalls”

Robert Mackey in one of his designs:

“The fact that someone can have such an affect on other people’s lives to where she’s not here, but they still come out and show love, is just huge. I mean, I never knew her, but I definitely enjoyed her personality and everything she brought to the music industry.”

Robert's Favorite [TLC] song: “Red Light Special”

Monica (artist/friend):

“It’s important for us to keep our artists’s, who are no longer here, legacy alive because we have fans and fans don’t disappear. When you look at some of her videos; all of those things were her thoughts and some of the clothes were her sowings. Lisa’s creativity was just unbelievable.”

Monica's Favorite [TLC] song: “Waterfalls”

Lisa's goddaughter Snow with mom:

“It was great being around Lisa. She was a fun person.”

Reigndrop's tribute to her sister Lisa and performing their song "Neva Will Eye Eva"

“Energy never dies, it just transforms” –Lisa Lopes Foundation motto

If you don’t remember, or haven't seen the video to TLC's "Waterfalls" check it out. Monica said it best: “It’s speaking directly to you. There’s no way you can’t understand what’s being said once you see the visuals and hear the lyrics. It’s still one of the most incredible ones [songs] with a good message.