Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes' express disappointment over re-recording of TLC's 'Waterfalls', band issue statement

A Japan-only reissue of TLC‘s 1995 single ‘Waterfalls’, which replaced Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes’ verse with a guest spot from a J-Pop singer, has caused something of a kerfuffle.

The remaining members of the group announced last week they would be re-recording their biggest hit for a Japan-only single release. Somewhat unexpectedly, T-Boz and Chili opted to sub out Lopes’ rap in favour of a re-recorded verse by J-Pop starlet Namie Amuro.

As NME report, Lopes’ family were less than enamoured with the switch. Speaking to TMZ, Lopes’ sister Reigndrop Lopes has suggested that she and her mother weren’t consulted over the move: “I did not know about it until a fan posted it online. I mean, it would have been nice if they would have given us a heads up before being surprised.” Although disappointed, the Lopes family have given their tentative blessing to the release provided it only sees release in Japan – something that the band are yet to confirm.

Chili has subsequently spoken to the site to clarify the band’s position. The singer claims that TLC don’t own the rights to the master for Lopes’ part on the recording, and were unable to secure the necessary rights, leaving them looking for a “creative way to honour Lisa’s memory”. In a statement, the band said

“We have and always will protect our sister’s legacy as TLC consists of the three of us collectively… there will never be a replacement for Lisa or any members in TLC.”

A snippet of the offending rap is available to stream below. TLC are set to release new music later this year, with Drake and Ne-Yo slated to feature on their forthcoming comeback album.

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