fanmail tour tlc

FanMail Tour

1999–2000 concert tour by tlc / from wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, dear wikiwand ai, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:.

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The FanMail Tour is the debut headlining tour by American group TLC . The tour support their third studio album, FanMail . The tour visited North America with dates later planned for Japan and Europe. However, the international dates after the second North American leg were cancelled.

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TLC’s ‘FanMail’ Turns 20: A Track-By-Track Retrospective With the Girl Group and Behind-the-Scenes Collaborators

TLC, Dallas Austin and Kandi Burruss go through each track of the legendary girl group's third album, 'FanMail' for its 20th anniversary with Billboard.

By Bianca Gracie

Bianca Gracie

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As the world approached the brink of the new millennium in the year 1999, no one knew what to expect. This fear of the unknown crept into the music of our favorite late-’90s pop stars, from the baby robot voice embedded throughout Britney Spears’ …Baby One More Time debut, Backstreet Boys shooting their second album Millennium   right into outer space  and Blaque booming like an earth-shattering 808  on its self-titled debut. But it was TLC who fully embraced the impending chaos that many thought the Y2K Scare was going to bring, with their third album FanMail .

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Kandi Burruss

The album, which turns 20 on Saturday (Feb. 23), aestheticized a digital world that was born after the turbulent events that the girl group went through during the five-year hiatus they took after releasing 1994’s Diamond-certified CrazySexyCool , still the best-selling U.S. album by a girl group of all time. Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas became a first-time mother with the group’s longtime producer Dallas Austin , Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins spent many nights in the hospital to combat her sickle-cell anemia, and the late Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes made headlines for burning down the house of ex-boyfriend Andre Rison, while also getting into conflict with other members about TLC’s musical direction.

Throughout all of this, the group revealed they were bankrupt, and trying to claw themselves out of a messy contract with Pebbitone, the management company founded by L.A. Reid’s former wife Pebbles. When they finally got back into the studio, they decided to dedicate the entire album to their supportive fans — but the recording process wasn’t easy.

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“The only thing we were nervous about was being gone for so long and wanting everyone to [still] accept you,” T-Boz tells Billboard . “But FanMail was the one where Lisa started tripping out! [ Laughs. ] That’s when she decided after we signed our contractual obligation that she wanted to go solo. All of that drama!”

Due to Left Eye’s absence, the group had to figure out how to replace her signature voice. Thus, the female android Vic-E was created. “Lisa didn’t want to be in the studio at the time so Dallas and I were just like, ‘Well, “eff” it! We’ll make the computer rap!’” T-Boz continues. “We went on the Mac computer, and back then you could choose different voices [as your greeting]. So we picked Vic-E because she sounded sexy. When Lisa got back on board, she said, “Well shit, let’s go ahead and make it a character!”

Austin, who was friends with Chilli and T-Boz before the group’s ideation, echoed: “[Recording] was a little bit of a disaster because Left Eye wanted to take it a little too far and name the album Fan2See . She wanted a website where the fans would be able to create their own fantasies. Back then we had Lil Kim and other female rappers doing their thing, so she wanted to push the envelope a bit more. When we told her it wasn’t a good idea, she got a little mad at us.”

The narration of FanMail ’s Vic-E was a direct reflection of the era’s journey to cyberspace, as seen with the rise of of AOL Instant Messenger, HotMail and dial-up connections. With Left Eye now just a sporadic presence, the album filled that void with dial tones, glitchy synths, computer keyboard clicks and warped vocal effects that echoed the cold nature of the song’s themes. “I was dying to get into the future because 2000 was about to come up,” explains Austin. “But I’ve always been into that stuff because I’m a big Star Wars fan. Since we had to use Vic-E in place of Lisa’s voice, I thought, ‘Let’s just go as futuristic as we can.'”

Those otherworldly elements were found not just in the songs themselves, but the actual binary code-wrapped album cover as well. “We were actually painted with real silver paint,” reveals Chilli. “When we had the shoot, [photographer] Dah Len of course saved that for the end because you just can’t throw that on and wipe it off for another look. I showered so much for a whole week! It was behind the ears, on our neck, under our chin, around our nose — just everywhere. That was not digitally altered at all. We went in for real.”

All of these creative risks proved successful for TLC, as FanMail peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and stayed there for five non-consecutive weeks. It was certified six times Platinum by the RIAA and spawned two massive No. 1 hits: “No Scrubs” (which topped the Hot 100 for four straight weeks) and “Unpretty” (three weeks at No. 1). The album was also nominated for eight Grammys, including album of the year, and took home the trophies for best R&B album, best R&B performance by a duo or group with vocals and best R&B song for “No Scrubs.”

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Below, TLC’s T-Boz and Chilli — along with collaborator Kandi Burruss and the album’s co-executive producer Dallas Austin — dive into the backstory of every track of FanMail ( not including the three interludes), and reflect on what the impact of its mainstream success meant for the future of R&B.

“FanMail”

Dallas Austin: I thought the  FanMail  concept was brilliant. So I took a bunch of interviews they did to create the actual “FanMail” song. I was listening to a lot of drum and bass, which was becoming big in London at the time. I thought, “How do I incorporate this without being too overbearing for people?” I always looked at albums like movies, so I seek out the title track. When you hear “FanMail,” that should help you understand what the rest of the album is gonna feel like. It’s become one of my favorite songs I’ve done.

Chilli: We used to get so much fan mail back then, and we just could not respond to everybody. A lot of it got lost, and then we tried to retrieve as much as we could. So that was the song for the fans period. It was us feeling bad that we weren’t able to get to everybody. When Drake redid “FanMail” [with 2010’s “I Get Lonely Too” ], that was a big deal. It’s funny because a lot of our fans told us about his cover. But I wasn’t very familiar with Drake. When I heard it, I wanted to make sure he did a good job — I didn’t care who it was! [laughs] And I thought he did great. I was really happy with how he put his own little spin on it.

T-Boz: [The title] was actually Lisa’s idea. When we were going through all that [legal] stuff with Pebbles [Reid] and trying to get away from her, we had missed a lot of fanmail. We tried to fit as many names as we can possibly fit in the [album booklet]. When the record company screws you over and doesn’t promote certain things the way they should have been, the fans make you realize you’re still important. Because we didn’t even promote this [album] and it still went platinum.

“Silly Ho”

Austin: I knew they had a great response from fans in Japan from the last record. So I wanted to include that international aspect in the album. Everyone thinks about Europe when they’re making a record, but not Japan. So I started the song out with [mimics sound effects], ding-ding-ding-ding! And the [“Vic-E Interpretation”] interlude before it says, “In Japan they just move to the one and two.” So that, along with the street lyrics, separated the group at that time. T-Boz loved “Silly Ho” because she liked songs that didn’t make her feel like too soft of a girl.

T-Boz: Well “ho” is my favorite word ’cause I don’t like them! [ Laughs .] We used to put up signs in the studio that said “No hoes allowed.” Dallas said that we should write a song about it, so I just talked about everything that I didn’t like about hoes. It’s so funny because that’s the song my kids like the most, and of course it had to be the most explicit one. I can’t clean it up, there’s no way to get around hoes!

Chilli: When the song got leaked, I heard that Timbaland got upset about it. He was feeling like Dallas bit off of his sound or whatever. I didn’t think it sounded exactly like his stuff, but it definitely sounded like maybe he could have did a collaboration. It was just a popular sound at the time. The lyrics are so TLC, as far as our whole girl power thing and talking about guys. It’s actually one of my favorite songs to perform.

“No Scrubs”

Kandi Burruss:  [Xscape girl group member Tameka “Tiny” Cottle] and I got the music from [producer Kevin “She’kspere” Briggs]. I had this notepad that I used to write song titles or concepts in. I used to say it to all my friends all the time: If there was like a dude that was wack, we just called him “that scrub.” So I thought, “That’d be a cute concept for our record.” One day I was riding around with my friend while listening to the track that She’kspere gave me. We were both were dating brothers at the time, and we were dogging them out because we were mad at them. I freestyled the entire song while just driving down a highway: the verse, hook, pre-chorus, the whole thing.

I actually wrote a majority of the record on an old envelope that was sitting in my car! I took it to Tiny the next day. The lyric originally was: [sings] “A scrub is a guy who thinks he’s fly and also known as a busta/ Always talking about what he wants and just sits on his fat ass!” Tiny busted out laughing and was like, “Girl, you are so crazy!” But I thought that people were going to like it.

Austin: So this song came in at the last minute. It was originally for Kandi and Tiny because they wanted to do a project together. But I told Kevin, “If you let me have this for TLC, I’ll make it the first single.” It would be different, with Chili singing the record, rather than us always starting with T-Boz. “No Scrubs” was a breakthrough for Chili because we hadn’t focused on her like that for the first two albums. It was a great way to expose her; being a secondary vocalist was not just her purpose. After the song’s success, it felt like TLC was a new group, because we took a different approach to reinvent them.

T-Boz: Kandi and Tiny wrote the heck out of that song, and I’m glad they gave it to us instead of keeping it for themselves. When we did the video, we went all out except for Chili — she wanted to look like an island princess! [ Laughs. ] I was so excited about the part where I wore the all-white outfit where my boobs lit up. We never really did anything super sexy like that. I remember not having a routine and [the video’s director Hype Williams] just told me to dance. RuPaul also came to see us on set, but he wasn’t in drag. His makeup artist [Mathu Andersen] did our makeup and it was so amazing. Me and Lisa had a ball with that. I was like, “Can I put rhinestones on my lips too?”

Chilli: Being on set was really scary, especially the one scene where it was all three of us and it looked like we were in space. This tube thing was constantly moving so you couldn’t stand still or else you would fall. I was getting so frustrated and yelling, “How many more takes?” Lisa was falling and we were hitting each other by accident, it was just crazy. That’s why we were acting so silly at the end of the video, because trying to fight against [the moving set] was not working. Then, there was that really ginormous swing. I had to practice first because I was so nervous. Of course by the end, I didn’t want to get off the thing! That was a long day, but it was fun doing the whole futuristic stuff. Even our space suit-looking outfits were right up our alley. We always knew that our image was just as important as our music.

TLC's Chilli Wants to Perform 'No Scrubs' With Weezer, Thanks to 'Teal Album' Cover

“No Scrubs” is an empowerment anthem. When we are performing it, I look out in the audience and say this cool little speech about certain guys you got to stay away from. I always say this — and I’ll say it forever — but scrubs are like roaches. You can never get them under control completely. [ Laughs .] They just won’t die. They just keep multiplying. That’s why you just got to stay away from them suckers! The reason I knew [the song] was going to be big because what it’s talking about is so relatable to every woman in America. It doesn’t matter where you are in the world, scrubs come in all shapes, sizes and colors. So it was just a universal song that every woman can high-five each other with. It was a winner.

We were cracking up when we heard Sporty Thieves’ [response track] “No Pigeons.” There’s so many songs that are negative towards women and you don’t hear a lot of females saying, “We’ve got to do an anti version of that one.” So it’s funny that you have these guys that want to flip “No Scrubs” real quick. They can’t take the heat! I just knew that our song hit some real nerves. But I absolutely loved Weezer’s version , and reposted it on Instagram. We’re actually talking with them now and trying to figure out when we’re going to perform it together on upcoming shows. I love when guys sing that song. Any man that can sing “No Scrubs” comfortably, he is definitely not a scrub — or he’s a reformed scrub. Those days are far behind him and he’s like, “I can sing this proudly!” [ Laughs. ]

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“I’m Good At Being Bad”

Chilli: We actually worked with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis on this one. They are the sweetest people ever. You would be so surprised at how humble they are, no diva [attitude] anywhere. They were so creative and open to our ideas. They asked for our input, so the collaboration was amazing. Tionne and Lisa were really excited about saying “I need a crump, tight n—a” and all that kind of stuff. I was just like, “Guys I’m not saying all that! I got the pretty stuff.” The song is jamming, I just don’t like saying the n-word.

T-Boz: So I wrote the song with Jimmy Jam in Minneapolis, and he works so fast. He said, Jjust go to the booth. I’m gonna play the beat. Whatever comes to your mind, just hum it.” I had never written like that before. Usually you listened to the beat, you sit down and you write it. But that technique really helped me grown as a writer. So I got out the booth then we wrote the lyrics to it.

I loved the way Kurt Cobain used to go soft and then hard, like on “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” So I told Jimmy we could be like Nirvana, just sing really pretty and then go into “I need a crump type n—a!” I actually wanted Lisa to do that first rap part, but she thought I sounded good because my voice was thicker. So they keep me on it until she did the final rap verse.

Austin: Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are my favorite producers in the world. They just did Michael and Janet Jackson’s “Scream” [in 1995] and I was like, “Wow, these guys are insane!” So when we got them for the TLC project, I knew they were gonna come with something different. When I first heard “I’m Good At Being Bad” I thought, “NO. WAY. This is crazy!” They did a great job of showing off the [R&B] genre, and it was a great contrast for all three of them.

“If They Knew”

Chilli: This song is just giving another perspective [of a relationship], because we’re definitely not about being on that side whatsoever. But we always thought that it was important to make songs that were not always just from our point of views, but from some of our friends who were experiencing things like that.

T-Boz: Me, Dallas and Lisa were in the studio basically gossiping about scenarios we know about, with guys trying to get with you when he’s in a relationship. And that happens all the time. That’s how people cheat. We’ve all been approached by somebody who’s married or already in a relationship and you know, we’re basically talking about how [would] that other girl feel, if she knew you were doing this over here with me?

“I Miss You So Much”

T-Boz: Chilli ended up doing this as a solo song because it’s just too pretty for me. I was too rough and rugged for that at the time, I don’t want to talk about missing nobody! [ Laughs. ] But she sounded amazing and it was totally up her alley. It really highlighted her as a singer. I would have messed the song up!

Chilli: We were signed to [ FanMail  co-executive producer] Babyface’s label [LaFace Records], so I was always around him. He is such a joy to work with. A lot of people do not know that he is actually a really silly guy. He’s just very quiet and observes everything. But when we would get in the studio, we just laughed the whole time.

We were at the end of recording the album and I was sick. I had like a sinus infection and was on all these steroids trying to get my voice back all the way. And I asked Babyface, “Can we do [this song] next weekend?” But we had this deadline to finish the album. And so I was just like nasal spraying it up. It was crazy. I wanted to redo it because I sounded stuffy. But he thought it sounded good and was going to work out well. I just loved being in the studio with him because he helps to bring out things in you that you didn’t even know you had.

“Unpretty”

T-Boz: At the time, I had just got out the hospital and was in my hotel room. My boyfriend still went out and left me. When you get out the hospital, you feel so weak and frail and ugly. I had all these IV marks and bruises everywhere, and I was just really skinny. When he left, I was watching [an episode of] Ricki Lake that night, where these men were calling women fat pigs, so I was already emotional. I went to the desk, turned on the light and I got a piece of paper. Men have a way of making us feel the opposite of pretty. So I put “un-” in front of it. That actually sparked me writing a whole poetry book on my thoughts. So I took this poem to Dallas and he was like, “Oh my god, this is it!” He got in the booth so fast and put it in song form.

The words mean everything when I sing them, because that’s every last emotion that I felt. But I had no idea that so many other people felt the way that I did, until the song went to No. 1 [on the Billboard Hot 100]. I remember Lady Gaga was crying so hard when she met me [in 2013]. She said, “You don’t understand how much ‘Unpretty’ changed my life, because I was an outcast.” Fans also told me the song prevented them from committing suicide. That was deep, and I’m glad our song could help people.

Austin: I knew I wanted to do a song like “Unpretty,” because at the time I was listening to a lot of folk and alternative artists like Ani DiFranco and Tori Amos. I was trying to figure out a way to bridge that into TLC’s music, because I knew that would make them different [compared to] everybody else. By having an acoustic-driven pop song, that would take them to a whole ‘nother place they haven’t been before. So “Unpretty” was a big breakout record for them, just as much as “Waterfalls” was. It separated them from Destiny’s Child and SWV. I didn’t want people to see them as trendy. By this record, I wanted everyone to look at them as being established and that they know what they were doing.

We would get letters back then from kids saying this song changed their lives, whether they were a cancer patient or getting bullied at school. For my career, it’s one of the most touching songs I’ve done as far as the impact it had on fans.

Chilli: As beautiful as you are and as much as you have to offer — I don’t mean just the outward beauty, I’m talking like good stuff on the inside — being in the wrong relationship makes you doubt everything. We’ve all been there. It could even be a family member that’s talking negative towards you and making you feel bad about yourself. So that’s one of those songs that again, resonates with so many people. Not just girls, but guys too. Everybody can get that low.

For me, I’m a very petite woman, and was never extra developed like how most girls in high school were. I wanted bigger boobs and all that. So that’s why when we shot the video, it was personal to me to tell that story. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with you feeling like you want to get a breast job or reduction. But the most important part is it needs to happen because that’s something you want for yourself, not someone else. Not some guy telling you that you’ll look better if this was bigger. If they do say that, just drop them.

“My Life”

Chilli: [Co-writer and producer] Jermaine Dupri is a part of the team. We couldn’t put out another record and not have him be a part of it. I always crack up at him because he’s not a singer, but he’ll try to push those notes out. It’s so cute to see him do it ’cause his head kind of cocks to the side and he is just singing all beautiful. He’s so creative and has so much energy. It’s almost like a little party when we’re in the studio working with Jermaine.

T-Boz: Lisa loved the media. She thought all press was good press, but me and Chilli don’t feel that way. [ Laughs. ] We didn’t have TMZ [back then]. So if something was a rumor, that meant it went a long way, because it was through word of mouth. [The lyrics] are really about living life in this industry and being a real person, but being looked at as a celeb. You’re still a real person even though people don’t view you as that. I breathe the same and my heartbeat’s the same. I didn’t want my whole life on display. I don’t owe you anything but a song and a dance, because that’s all I signed up for with my contract.

“Shout”

T-Boz: We got the inspiration from [Tears For Fears’ 1984 single], “Shout.” But this song isn’t a favorite of mine, I’ll be honest. [ Laughs. ] So when they would do the salsa breakdowns to “Shout” on the FanMail tour , you’ll see that I leave the stage and don’t come back until they’re done. I’m such a prissy tomboy. Everyone would get so mad at me, but I didn’t care!

Austin: It was fun doing “Shout.” The remixed version [which was never officially released] had Enrique Iglesias and Sheila E. on it. I was trying to have a little Latin feel to it — because it was really kicking in at the time — while still keeping it futuristic.

Chilli: I love Lisa’s rap verse on this song. “Shout” and “Hat 2 Da Back” [from 1992’s Ooooooohhh… On the TLC Tip ] are my favorites. She just lost her mind and went crazy. You can just tell when something is personal or truly speaks to a person’s spirit when they’re recording. So I was really proud of her with how she delivered.

“Come on Down”

T-Boz: I went into the booth and attempted to do it, because the verses were written [by Diane Warren] for me. I came out and said, “Diane, I’m sorry but I can’t do this!” [laughs] She is an amazing writer, and I love her because she respected my views. I told her to give it to Chili because it was such a sexy song. “Red Light Special” [from 1994’s CrazySexyCool ] worked for me, but not “Come On Down.”

Chilli: I don’t know who she originally wrote this song for, but she told me on the phone that whoever it was didn’t want to sing it. I loved everything about “Come On Down” because you know what it’s talking about, but it was very nicely subliminal. I loved the country feel of the record, so I couldn’t wait. And she was so excited that I wanted to do it. She wasn’t actually in studio with me ’cause we recorded it in Atlanta and she was in LA. But I was happy that she was so happy with it. It’s definitely one of my favorite songs because I do like a little touch of country. It reminded me of something Shania Twain would do.

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“Dear Lie”

Chilli: “Dear Lie” also came from one of Tionne’s poems, and she worked with Babyface on it. I love it because it’s kind of like a metaphor. You can hear a lie that somebody says about you and it’s not true. But it can really have so much power over you and that is why it sucks. But you’ve got to take that power back. We get so caught up sometimes in being upset about things and the person that we’re allowing to have that type of power over us are doing just fine and — as they say these days — living their best life.

T-Boz: Babyface liked this one because I was talking about a lie as if it were a person. My father used to lie all the time, so I absolutely despise liars. So I thought about what I would say if it was a person. I love the way it starts off vulnerable and then turns into a place of strength where you’re saying, “I won’t let you hurt or unravel me.”

“Lovesick”

Chilli: It wasn’t one of my favorite songs, because being love sick is not good! It’s so sad, but that what was going on at the time. And who can’t relate to being love sick?

Austin: Chilli and I were together back then. One of us was love sick at the time, maybe it was both of us! [ Laughs. ] The way I used to write for them was to think about if I were them. For this song, we took [inspiration] from both of our perceptions as well as experiences from people we knew.

I think that was the first record we cut for FanMail . I remember being at the front desk at the studio and the phone keypad made a blip blip! sound. I thought it sounded cool, so I found it on the computer and turned it into a little rhythm. It’s funny because we did the “Communicate” interlude before the song and AT&T hit us up and asked, “Can we use that for a commercial?” I did [that style] on purpose, because if you looked at movies that were based on the future back then — like Blade Runner — you always hear that voice telling you what to do. So I took that element and put it into the song.

T-Boz: Chilli and Dallas were going through so much at the time! I think Dallas was the one who was lovesick. That song was about all of us, because me and my boyfriend were going at it every five seconds. It was perfect because that’s how you feel, especially when [your ex] gets into another relationship and you’re not quite over them. It makes you feel better when they girl is not as cute. But don’t let it be a bad chick that’s actually pretty! [ Laughs .]

“Automatic”

Austin: That was me diving back into the Prince element for them. He actually had a song called “Automatic” [from his 1982 album 1999 ], so I wanted to maintain that Minneapolis sound a little bit. We did that one second because it was connected to “Lovesick.”

Chilli: I like that song way better than “Lovesick” because it’s not sad. [ Laughs. ] When VH1 used it during the opening credits [for 2013’s CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story film], we just had to make sure they had access to whatever song they needed.

T-Boz: We were so excited about that song because a new digital style was just created where you can play a certain sound in the right speaker and another one in the left. We were being innovative because we were among the firsts to do a digital album with all those effects. I love the way the song drifts in and out of the different speakers.

“Don’t Pull Out On Me Yet”

Austin: I had a leftover TLC song called “Oh Honey” that we didn’t end up using for CrazySexyCool because it had that doo-wop feel. It was a little more sensual. So when we got to recording “Don’t Pull Out On Me Yet,” I still thought we needed to capture that. It was kind of like my interpretation of something Babyface would do. I was also thinking, “How can I get them back to earth a little bit?” [ Laughs .] I wanted to bring them from the future and back in the land of songs like “Baby-Baby-Baby” [from 1992’s Ooooooohhh… On the TLC Tip ].

Chilli: This one has a little bit of a Prince vibe. It’s funny how during that era, almost every song you recorded got on the album. You have the ones that are some really good album cuts, and then some are just okay. [ Laughs. ] You can tell because those are the ones that’s usually like number 10, 11 or 12 [on the tracklist].

But I think that’s a real good feel-good TLC record for that album. This song was a little more mature, because by that time I was a mama. We were in our late 20s and by that time you’re conscious of not making some of the silly mistakes that you made when you were in your early twenties. You do grow and you share that with the world, because they’re growing too. Even when we’re trying something different like on “Don’t Pull Out On Me Yet,” it still felt like a TLC record, you know, even though it was a little different. So, you know, we just always made sure that we stayed true to ourselves.

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Album cover art

FanMail is the third studio album by American R&B/Hip-Hop girl group TLC . It was released on February 23, 1999 in the United States and was the trio's first album since 1994's CrazySexyCool . The title of the album is a tribute to their fans who sent them fanmail during their hiatus. FanMail debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling approximately 318,000 copies in its first week of release an spent 5 non-consecutive weeks at #1. The album recieved eight Grammy nominations at the 2000 Grammy Awards, including one for Album of the Year, and won three. As of 2000, the album has been certified 6x Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America and is TLC's second best-selling album, behind CrazySexyCool .

• 1 Background and production
• 2.1 Critical response
• 2.2 Commercial performance
• 3.1 Singles
• 3.2 FanMail Tour
• 4.2 Known outtakes
• 6 Main personnel

Background and production [ ]

TLC entered recording studios in the spring of 1998 with Dallas Austin to start laying down tracks for their then-untitled third studio album. While Austin contributed to most of the tracks on the album and is even credited for being the album's executive producer, TLC also collaborated with Babyface, L.A. Reid, She'kspere and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. TLC is also shown to be more invovled with co-writing songs for the album, with Lopes and Watkins each having five songwriting credits and Thomas only having one. Tracks were recorded at D.A.R.P. Studios in Atlanta, Georgia from April to December 1998.

The album had a futuristic vibe to it, mixing in elements of electronic music with the group's traditional R&B and hip-hop sound. This style was effectively portrayed in the album's lead single " No Scrubs ", along with its music video, which embraces a modern emphasis on female strength and independence. The album also featured a custom front cover art design with decoade-able binary code and pictures of the group members in metallic skin tones. The album's CD insert folds out to a poster of TLC and the names of thousands of people who sent them fanmail throughout their career. A limited edition of the album was also released and had an insert with a lenticular version of the cover placed in front of the original cover in the jewel case.

The album's title is a tribute to TLC's fans after their five year hiatus. The title came from group member Lisa Lopes, who also coined the group's first two album titles Ooooooohhh...On the TLC Tip and CrazySexyCool . There is an explicit version and a clean version of the album, with the latter of the two excluding curse words, some sexual remarks and some racial slurs. The explicit version comes with a Parental Advisory sticker, becoming their first album to do so. FanMail is also the final TLC album to be relased in Lopes' lifetime, before she died three years later.

Reception [ ]

Critical response [ ].

Reception for the album was generally positive. Rolling Stone  magazine declared FanMail "equal parts steely bitch and sweet sister, superfreak and misty romantic, self-centered coffee achiever and spiritualized earth mama."

Commercial performance [ ]

FanMail became a global success and TLC's second best-selling album, behind 1994's CrazySexyCool . The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart and spent five non-consecutive weeks at number one. It also debuted at #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. According to Nielson SoundScan, it sold 4.7 million copies in the United States and it was certified 6x Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipments of 6 million copies. Internationally, the album reached the top 20 in New Zealand, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Promotion [ ]

Singles [ ].

A total of three official singles were released in support of the album. The album's lead single, "No Scrubs", was released on January 23, 1999 and was the most successful out of all three singles. It peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and became the second biggest single of 1999, coming in at #2 on Billboard's Year-End Hot 100 of 1999 chart. The follow-up to "No Scrubs" was " Unpretty ", which also peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, spending three weeks at number one and peaking at #20 on the Year-End Hot 100 of 1999 chart. " Dear Lie " was released as the album's final single and though it managed to enter the top 40 in international music markets, it was widely considered a minor success compared to previous hits "No Scrubs" and "Unpretty", peaking only at #51 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

In addition to the three official singles, three promotional singles were released: " Silly Ho ", " I'm Good at Being Bad " and "My Life". "Silly Ho" was released on December 29, 1998. It managed to peak at #21 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart and at #59 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. "I'm Good at Being Bad" was released around the same time "No Scrubs" was and managed to peak within the top 40 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. However, My Life failed to chart since it was only released internationally.

FanMail Tour [ ]

From October 22, 1999 to January 29, 2000, TLC embarked on t

TLC performing at the Phillips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia during their FanMail Tour

he FanMail Tour, which visited thirty-two cities in the United States and Canada. During the concert, TLC would perform tracks from their latest album FanMail , as well as tracks from their two previous studio albums, Ooooooohhh...On the TLC Tip and CrazySexyCool . In addition, the concert featured a five-piece band, seven dancers, plenty of futuristic special effects, and a giant-screen android named "Virtual Vic-E". Most dates were sold out and the group even had a PayPerView special of their tour, called TLC: Sold Out , which at the time became PayPerView's highest grossing televised special. The tour wrapped up in their hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, the day before the Super Bowl XXXIV took place. Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell gave the group a key to the city and declared January 29 "TLC Day".

Track listing [ ]

• "FanMail" - 4:00
• "The Vic-E Interpretation - Interlude" - 0:18
• "Silly Ho" - 4:15
• "Whispering Playa - Interlude" - 0:52
• "No Scrubs" - 3:34
• "I'm Good at Being Bad" - 5:38 (original explicit version) / 5:25 (clean version) / 4:37 (new explicit version)
• "If They Knew" - 4:04
• "I Miss You So Much" - 4:59
• "Unpretty" - 4:39
• "My Life" - 4:01
• "Shout" - 3:59
• "Come on Down" - 4:18
• "Dear Lie" - 5:12
• "Communication - Interlude" - 0:51
• "Lovesick" - 3:53
• "Automatic" - 4:31
• "Don't Pull Out on Me Yet" - 4:33
• "U in Me" (Japanese bonus track) - 3:50

On initial pressings of the album, "Whispering Playa - Interlude" featured a sample of "Cold Blooded" by Rick James playing in the background. The sample was removed on subsequent editions, likely due to copyright reasons, with the background music being a clip of another TLC song, "U in Me", instead. Initial pressings of the album also featured a sample of Donna Summer's "Love to Love You Baby" during "I'm Good at Being Bad", but the sample was removed during later pressings of the album with no substitute.

Known outtakes [ ]

• Leaked on a UK radio station in January 2002.
• Released online by TLC as an exclusive track to MP3.com, a sponsor for their FanMail Tour, that their fans could download. In exchange, MP3.com could donate ten cents to the Sickle Cell Disease Association each time the song was downloaded. Produced by Ricciano Lumpkins for PWPX, LLC. Written by R. Lumpkins, L. Lopes, and S. Chunn. Left Eye's rap was later reused on the track "Whoop-de-woo" from Now and Forever: The Hits.
• Recorded by Left Eye featuring T-Boz on backing vocals. Was later remixed and released as the lead single off of Left Eye's 2009 posthumous album Eye Legacy.
• Offered to TLC, but was rejected. Was later given to Britney Spears and the song became the hit single that launched her career.
• "Where My Girls At?"

Another song rejected by TLC, 702 recorded it and it became their biggest hit. Chilli would later comment about it and said she wished they had the song and "it was so TLC."

At the 2000 Grammy Awards, the album received 8 nominations, including one for Album of the Year. The album won three awards. Singer/songwriter Kyla covered "I Miss You So Much" for her sixth album Heartfelt, and Rapper/Singer Drake recorded a cover of the opening track, FanMail , for his song I Get Lonely Too . A remix features Jeremih,while another extended mix and mashup features TLC. The songs are featured on The FanMail Mixtape and It's Never Enough mixtape on DatPiff.com.

Main personnel [ ]

• Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins – vocals, lead vocals
• Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes – vocals, rapping
• Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas – vocals, lead vocals
• Dallas Austin – arranger, vocals, producer, executive producer
• Tameka Cottle – arranger, background vocals
• Kandi Burruss – arranger, background vocals
• Babyface – Synclavier, acoustic guitar, guitar, keyboards, producer, drum programming, executive producer
• Jermaine Dupri – producer, mixing
• Debra Killings    – background vocals
• Ricciano "Ricco" Lumpkins – producer, engineer, keyboards, Synclavier, drum programming
• 1 Lisa Lopes
• 2 No Scrubs
• 3 Tionne Watkins

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Is TLC's ''FanMail'' tour in trouble?

The gals are feuding, and the venues aren't selling out

There was a troubling sign when TLC hit the stage Sunday at the Baltimore Arena for the sixth stop on the trio’s planned 31-date ”FanMail” tour: Some 3,000 of the Arena’s 12,500 seats were empty for the 90-minute show, adding fuel to industry speculation that the tour’s future is as shaky as the group’s.

TLC mostly hid their internal tensions, performing such hits as ”Waterfalls,” ”Creep,” and ”No Scrubs.” But there were occasional signs of the strife that has divided Lisa ”Left Eye” Lopes from her band mates Rozonda ”Chilli” Thomas and Tionne ”T-Boz” Watkins. At various points during the show, Chilli and T-Boz high-fived each other while ignoring Left Eye. Left Eye, in turn, strutted past the other two as if they were merely set pieces to avoid. Things heated up during a particularly aggressive rendition of ”What About Your Friends” when T-Boz appeared to glare at Left Eye while singing the lyrics, ”What about your friends/Will they let you down/Will they be around?”

Still, TLC proved that the show can indeed go on — and be damned entertaining, too. Most fans seemed oblivious to any problems that may exist between the ladies, and cheered enthusiastically for the trio’s every song. Even so, TLC may soon be facing a bigger dilemma than just trying to get along. Ticket sales have been sluggish. For example, barely 50 percent of the seats for Tuesday night’s concert in Greenville, S.C., had been sold just hours before show time, according to the venue’s director of marketing. (In fairness, the tour was hurriedly launched, leaving barely two weeks for preshow promotion.)

And now TLC has lost K-Ci and JoJo as their biggest-drawing opening act, which won’t help fill seats. One hope does exist, though: Christina Aguilera is expected to join TLC beginning Jan. 3. Perhaps she’ll be just the genie the struggling tour needs.

Related Articles

FanMail Tour

The FanMail Tour is the debut headlining tour by American group TLC . The tour support their third studio album, FanMail . The tour visited North America with dates later planned for Japan and Europe. However, the international dates after the second North American leg were cancelled.

Concert synopsis

Critical reception, opening acts.

Most dates of the tour were sold out and the group would perform all the hits from throughout their career. The tightly choreographed concert featured a five-piece band, seven dancers, cybertechnics, and a giant-screen android named "Virtual Vic-E". [1] On September 27, 1999, TLC donated an exclusive track entitled "I Need That" to MP3.com , that the fans could download from the company's website for free. In exchange, MP3.com sponsored the tour and donated ten cents to the Sickle Cell Disease Association each time the song was downloaded. [2] [3]

At the time, TLC had to address the incessant rumors that they were breaking up. Lisa Lopes told the New York Daily News , "A lot of people are under the impression that I'm leaving the group. That's not the case..." She also added, "The magic of the group has everything to do with the chemistry between myself, Tionne [Watkins] and Chilli [Rozonda Thomas] ...with TLC, it's like, if there wasn't something going wrong, it just wouldn't be right." [4] The tour wrapped up in their hometown of Atlanta , a day prior to Super Bowl XXXIV . Mayor Bill Campbell gave the group a key to the city and declared January 29, "TLC Day". On March 18, 2000, the group had a PayPerView special of the full live show in Atlanta, called TLC: Sold Out .

Shortly after the Atlanta show, all three members were offered $25 million to extend the tour into Europe and Japan , but backed out of it when Lopes instead requested time off to visit Honduras and to work on her debut solo album, Supernova . Even though Watkins and Thomas were unhappy with her decision, they reluctantly agreed to pass on the extension.

A few performances from their concert at MCI Center , Washington, D.C. , on January 23, 2000, have later been included on their Japanese compilation TLC 20: 20th Anniversary Hits (2013).

The show was divided into five acts plus an encore. It began with a futuristic theme and an introduction by the giant screen android, "Virtual Vic-E", welcoming the audience to the show. After the video ends, all three members rise from the stage, each in different silver clothing to perform "FanMail" as well as " Silly Ho " and "If They Knew". The backup dancers wore purple raincoats and pants. [5] The first leg of the tour featured the girls wearing butterfly-themed outfits, but they were quickly replaced with the silver outfits for unknown reasons. After the end of "If They Knew", Lopes revealed a bag of mail received from fans in the city, and promised that she and the other members would read through it later in the show.

The show continued with the Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip era, in which the members performed " Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg ", " What About Your Friends " and " Baby-Baby-Baby ", dressed in white overalls surrounded with multi-colored spray paint in homage to their early image. Lopes also wore large pink sunglasses and a pacifier around her neck. [6]

Shortly before the beginning of the CrazySexyCool era, Vic-E detected an intruder backstage. The intruder, a man in a black hooded costume, revealed himself as an evil villain. He spotted the bag of fanmail and proceeded to steal it, leaving the band and the backup dancers too later to stop him. However, they barely had any time to mull it over, when TLC returned to perform " Creep " shortly after, unaware of the theft, with Lopes, Watkins and Thomas wearing silk pajamas, very similar to the ones they wore in the "Creep" music video. The backup dancers also wore pajamas. Lopes and Thomas each had their own platform on both ends of the stage, while Watkins was in the middle of the main stage. All girls were eventually on the main stage to perform Lopes' rap. Right after the song, " Red Light Special " followed, which again featured Lopes and Thomas on their separate platforms, but instead sitting on a chair and Watkins on the main stage. Several female dancers also sat on chairs, dancing seductively. [7]

The solos of each member followed shortly after the dance interlude of "Housequake", starting with Left Eye , performing an unreleased rap entitled "Crazy". She also did several magic tricks and played the keyboard. Then followed Chilli 's solo, dressed as a cowgirl to perform "Come on Down". She was also accompanied by several female dancers also dressed as cowgirls. After the song, she was then lowered down the main stage. She re-emerged wearing a new costume which she, along with the rest of the members, then wore until the end of the concert. She would then pick a man from the audience and begin to perform "I Miss You So Much" with the man sitting on a chair and Chilli singing to him. T-Boz was last to perform her solo, appearing on stage dressed in a purple suit with a wooden cane to sing the first lines of the famous military march chant, "I Don't Know (But I Been Told)". She would then remove her suit to reveal a costume similar to Chilli's during the performance of "I Miss You So Much", to sing " If I Was Your Girlfriend ", " Touch Myself " and" Dear Lie ".

After the girls' solos was Act 4, entitled Rain. " Unpretty " was the first song of the act, which featured many children from the audience who came up to sing with them. " I'm Good at Being Bad ", "My Life" and a salsa version of "Shout" were performed after. [8]

Act 5 commenced with Lopes finally noticing the missing bag of fanmail, and the group were informed by the band and the audience that the evil villain took it. Disappointed, the girls would turn to Vic-E, who would explain that the letters would not reveal the full strength of the bond between TLC and the fans, and assure the audience that TLC loves them. The girls then performed their signature song, " Waterfalls ". The giant screen showed clips from the music video and water running. Backup dancers wore different colored shirts.

During the last show of the tour in Atlanta , Goodie Mob made a special appearance to perform their song with TLC, " What It Ain't (Ghetto Enuff) ". " No Scrubs " was the final song of the show, which had Watkins and Lopes on the end platforms of the stage and Thomas on the main stage, with a dancer trying to give his number to her. They would all eventually end up back on the main stage together to perform Left Eye's rap on the song. Just as the song was ending, the bag of fanmail returned. There was a note attached to it from the evil villain, apologising for the theft, and explaining that he had written to them hundreds of times and they never wrote back. He reveals that he bought some T-shirts as an apology gift and placed them in the bag. The girls proceeded to hand out the T-shirts to the audience and to thank the crowd. All backup dancers then joined hands with Lopes, Watkins and Thomas to end the show. [9]

The tour received very positive reviews from critics. Natalie Nichols of the Los Angeles Times described the Anaheim show as: "...a thoroughly 21st century pop concert, with all the razzle-dazzle and sense of fun you'd expect [...] TLC delighted fans while underscoring the staying power that has made it the best-selling female trio in history [...] a seven-piece band managed to stay out of the way, playing TLC's blend of soul, hip-hop, funk and pop with surprising verve...However, this was one modern multi-platinum act that had plenty of meat to match the sizzle".

Darryl Morden of The Hollywood Reporter described the New York City show as "smart, sexy, stylish, sweet, daring, dazzling and diverse, the 100-minute performance Friday night was full of flash but grounded in personal charisma. Effects and gimmickry took a back seat to old-fashioned, engaging showmanship".

Variety 's Troy Augusto described it as "an exciting evening of singing and dancing that delivered all of their hit songs in charming fashion".

Gene Stout of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer added, "Pent-up demand for the Atlanta-based trio's incendiary blend of pop, hip-hop and R&B made the evening a celebration."

However, Craig Seymour of Entertainment Weekly states, "...there were occasional signs of the strife that has divided Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes from her band mates Rozonda 'Chilli' Thomas and Tionne 'T-Boz' Watkins. At various points during the show, Chilli and T-Boz high-fived each other while ignoring Left Eye. Left Eye, in turn, strutted past the other two as if they were merely set pieces to avoid. Things heated up during a particularly aggressive rendition of 'What About Your Friends' when T-Boz appeared to glare at Left Eye while singing the lyrics, What about your friends/Will they let you down/Will they be around? NO!".

• Ricky J (North America, 1999, 1st Leg) [10]
• Jodie Resther (North America, 1999, 1st Leg) [10]
• Destiny's Child (North America, 1999, 1st Leg) [11]
• K-Ci & JoJo (North America, 1999, 1st Leg) [11]
• Ideal (North America, 1999, 1st Leg) [11]
• Marc Nelson (North America, 1999, 1st Leg) [11]
• Blaque (North America, 2000, 2nd Leg) [12]
• Christina Aguilera (North America, 2000, 2nd Leg) [13]

Act I: The Future

• "Vic-E" (intro)
• " FanMail " (includes "The Vic-E Interpretation Interlude")
• " Silly Ho "
• " If They Knew "

Act II: Back to the TLC Tip

• "Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip" (interlude)
• " Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg "
• " What About Your Friends "
• " Baby-Baby-Baby "

Act III: CrazySexyCool

• "The Villain" (interlude)
• " Creep " (Salsa Dance Remix)
• " Red Light Special " (includes " Housequake " interpretation)
• "Crazy" (Left Eye solo)
• "Sexy" (interlude)
• " Come on Down " (Chilli solo)
• " I Miss You So Much " (Chilli solo)
• "Cool" (interlude)
• " Touch Myself " (includes elements of " Back That Azz Up " & " Nasty Girl ") (T-Boz solo)
• " If I Was Your Girlfriend " (T-Boz solo)
• " Dear Lie " (T-Boz solo)

Act IV: Rain

• " Unpretty "
• " I'm Good at Being Bad "
• " My Life "
• " Shout " (Remix)
• " Waterfalls "
• " No Scrubs "
• Dallas Austin – keyboards
• Thomas Martin – guitars
• Thomas Knight – drums, percussion
• Ethan Farmer – bass
• Eric Daniels – keyboards, musical director
• Christopher Rupert – drums, percussion

Choreographer

• Devyne Stephens
• Oththan Burnside
• Jamaica Craft
• Ray Johnson
• Aakomon Jones
• Shannon Lopez
• Dean Pagtakhan
• Kevin White

Production manager

• Jason Scianno
• Tanya Greenblatt

Wardrobe and stylist

• Julieanne Mijares
• Laurie Chang ( assistant stylist )

Tour production manager

• Dale "Opie" Skjerseth

Stage designer

• Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes

Related Research Articles

Lisa Nicole Lopes , better known by her stage name Left Eye , was an American rapper and singer. She was a member of the R&B girl group TLC, alongside Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas. Besides rapping and singing backing vocals on TLC recordings, Lopes was the creative force behind the group, receiving more co-writing credits than the other members. She also designed some of their outfits and the stage for their FanMail Tour and contributed to the group's image, album titles, artworks, and music videos. Through her work with TLC, Lopes won four Grammy Awards.

TLC is an American girl group formed in 1990 in Atlanta, Georgia. The group's best-known line-up was composed of Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas. The group enjoyed success during the 1990s, with nine top-ten hits on the Billboard Hot 100 , including four number-one singles: "Creep", "Waterfalls", "No Scrubs", and "Unpretty". The group also recorded four multi-platinum albums, including CrazySexyCool (1994), which received a diamond certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). TLC became the first R&B group in history to receive the million certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for FanMail (1999).

Rozonda Ocielian Thomas , better known by her stage name Chilli , is an American singer, dancer and actress who is a member of the group TLC, one of the best-selling girl groups of the late 20th century.

Blaque is an American girl group that charted from 1999 to 2004. Outside of the United States, they are known as Blaque Ivory . Their self-titled debut album Blaque sold more than 1 million copies and was certified Platinum. The group's debut included the platinum-selling lead single "808", a second single, "I Do", and the international pop hit "Bring It All to Me". In 1999, Billboard named Blaque the 4th Best New Artist of the year, with "Bring It All to Me" landing at number 30 on the 2000 Year End Chart. In 2002 and 2003, the group released three less successful singles, "Can't Get It Back", "Ugly", and "I'm Good", the latter appearing in the film Honey .

FanMail is the third studio album by American girl group TLC, released on February 23, 1999, by LaFace and Arista Records. The album title is a tribute to TLC's fans who sent them fan mail during their hiatus. FanMail debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 , selling 318,000 copies in its first week of release, and spent five weeks at number one.

Tionne Tenese Watkins , better known by her stage name T-Boz , is an American singer and actress. Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Watkins rose to fame in the early 1990s as a member of the girl-group TLC. She has won four Grammy Awards for her work with TLC.

" Waterfalls " is a song by American hip-hop group TLC, released by LaFace and Arista as the third single from their second album CrazySexyCool on May 22, 1995 in the United States, followed by a United Kingdom release on July 24, 1995.

3D is the fourth studio album by American girl group TLC, released on October 10, 2002, by Arista Records. Recorded from May 2001 to July 2002, much of the album was finalized after the death of member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, with her unreleased material that she had recorded for her solo albums Supernova and N.I.N.A. being reworked into new songs. Remaining group members Rozonda Thomas and Tionne Watkins enlisted Dallas Austin, Babyface, Rodney Jerkins, the Neptunes, Raphael Saadiq, Missy Elliott and Timbaland to work on the album.

" No Scrubs " is a song recorded by American girl group TLC as the lead single from their third studio album, FanMail , released on February 2, 1999, by LaFace Records and Arista Records. The song was written by producer Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs, former Xscape members Kandi Burruss and Tameka "Tiny" Cottle, and TLC member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. The song lyrics describe the role of a man in a relationship. Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas sings the lead vocals for the first time on a TLC single.

" Girl Talk " is a song by American group TLC. It was written by band members Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes and Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins along with Anita McLoud, Edmund "Eddie Hustle" Clement, and Kandi Burruss for the group's fourth studio album, 3D (2002). Recorded a few days before Lopes' passing in April 2002, production on the song was helmed by Clement. Lyrically, "Girl Talk" has the protagonist warning men that if they lack in the bedroom, it will spread on the street amongst the women.

" Creep " is a song recorded by American singing group TLC for their second studio album, CrazySexyCool (1994). Dallas Austin, who tried to write the track from a "female perspective", wrote and produced it. It is based on member Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins's experience with infidelity. The lyrics portray the singers as women who cheat on their unfaithful lovers for "some affection". This context was controversial within the group, and strongly opposed by member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, who threatened to wear black tape over her mouth on its accompanying music video.

R U the Girl is an American reality television music competition series that aired on UPN in 2005. The series featured Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas, the remaining members of the all-girl R&B group TLC whose former member, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, died in a car crash in Honduras in 2002. Initially promoted by the network as a contest to replace Lopes 3 years after her death, both Watkins and Thomas clarified that the winner of the contest would not be joining TLC full-time and would not be a full-time replacement member; the winner would only provide guest vocals on a new single by the duo.

" Dear Lie " is a song by American group TLC. It was written by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and band member Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins for the trio's third studio album FanMail (1999), featuring production by Edmonds. The song was released as the album's third and final single on December 6, 1999, peaking at number 51 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reaching the top 40 in several other countries. "Dear Lie" is included on the group's 2009 compilation album, We Love TLC .

Niatia Jessica Kirkland , better known by her stage name Lil Mama , is an American rapper. She experienced top 10 Billboard placements at 17 with her debut album VYP (2008), which debuted at number 25 on the Billboard 200 . The album spawned her four major singles including her staple song and dance anthem "Lip Gloss", earning her two Teen Choice Awards and Monster Single of the Year nominations at the MTV Video Music Awards. Kirkland gained further attention in pop music after a collaboration with Avril Lavigne for the remix of her hit single "Girlfriend".

" Hands Up " a song by American girl group TLC. It was written and produced by both Babyface and Daryl Simmons for the band's fourth studio album, 3D (2002). A sensual mid-tempo song that deals with romantic betrayal, it was selected and released as the album's second single in the United States in November 2002, following lead single "Girl Talk" (2002). Arista Records consulted several producers to remix the song for its single release, including Richard X, LaMarquis Jefferson, and Jermaine Dupri.

" Let's Just Do It " is a posthumous single by American rapper Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, and is the lead single from her posthumous album, Eye Legacy . Originally recorded by Lopes and her TLC groupmate Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins in 1998 for the group's third studio album FanMail , the track was shelved until 2009, when it was remixed to feature new vocals from fellow member Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas and rapper Missy Elliott.

" Come Get Some " is a song by American recording group TLC. It was written by band members Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas along with Kandi Burruss, Craig Love, Sean P of YoungBloodZ and Lil' Jon for their 2003 greatest hits album, Now and Forever: The Hits . Lil Jon produced the song and also appears with Sean P. of Youngbloodz as guest vocalists.

" Kick Your Game " is a song recorded by the American group TLC for their second studio album, CrazySexyCool (1994). The "funky" R&B-dance track was written by frequent group collaborator Jermaine Dupri, Manuel Seal and member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. On August 26, 1995 it was picked by LaFace and Arista Records for release as a promotional airplay single from the album. In the song's lyrics, TLC teaches boys who flirt in a club "the proper way to approach a lady"; Lopes' rap verses reportedly referred to then-boyfriend Andre Rison, whose house she burned down during the making of CrazySexyCool .

CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story is a 2013 American biographical television film about the R&B and hip hop musical trio TLC. It derives its title from the title of the group's second album, CrazySexyCool . The film stars Keke Palmer as Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas, Niatia "Lil Mama" Kirkland as Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes and Drew Sidora as Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins. The film was directed by Charles Stone III and written by Kate Lanier. Thomas and Watkins also served as executive producers of the film.

The TLC 2016 Tour was a concert tour of American group TLC. The tour covered the United States, Canada, Japan, Philippines, Australia and New Zealand. The set list of the shows in 2016 included songs from all four studio albums of TLC's career. The tour comes as the duo plan to release a new album - their first in more than 14 years.

• ↑ Evans, Rob (September 27, 1999). "TLC, Destiny's Child Lock In Fall Tour Schedule" . LiveDaily . Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc. Archived from the original on December 4, 2007 . Retrieved November 13, 2013 .
• ↑ "TLC Announce Tour, Post New Song At MP3.com" . Mtv.com . Retrieved June 5, 2023 .
• ↑ Brodginski, Todd; Wang, Maggie; Cagan, Amanda (January 4, 2000). " 'FANMAIL' CD GENERATES EIGHT GRAMMY NOMINATIONS INCLUDING PRESTIGIOUS 'ALBUM OF THE YEAR,' 'RECORD OF THE YEAR' AND 'SONG OF THE YEAR'; SECOND LEG OF 'FANMAIL' TOUR IS SET TO KICK OFF FRIDAY, JANUARY 7 IN ANAHEIM, California" (Press release). Mitch Schneider Organization. Archived from the original on March 6, 2001 . Retrieved November 13, 2013 .
• ↑ "- YouTube" . YouTube .
• 1 2 "Trio off track" . October 26, 1999. Archived from the original on January 11, 2002 . Retrieved March 31, 2020 .
• 1 2 3 4 Duncanwith, Andréa; Gill, John (October 26, 1999). "TLC Kicks Off Tour As T-Boz Prepares To Get Animated" . MTV News . MTV Networks . Retrieved November 13, 2013 .
• ↑ Pareles, Jon (January 24, 2000). "POP REVIEW; A Girl Group That Takes No Prisoners In Love" . The New York Times . Retrieved November 13, 2013 .
• ↑ Johnson, Tina; Basham, David (September 13, 1999). "TLC Taps Christina Aguilera, Destiny's Child For World Tour" . MTV News . MTV Networks . Retrieved November 13, 2013 .
• ↑ Evans, Rob (October 8, 1999). "TLC Adds New Supporting Act For National Tour" . LiveDaily . Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc. Archived from the original on November 27, 1999 . Retrieved November 13, 2013 .
• ↑ Brodginski, Todd; Schneider, Mitch; Cagan, Amanda (October 10, 1999). "TLC ANNOUNCES DATES FOR FIRST EVER HEADLINING TOUR 'UNPRETTY' SINGLE FROM QUADRUPLE PLATINUM 'FANMAIL' CD HIT #1, MP3.COM-SPONSORED TOUR TO BENEFIT NATIONAL AND LOCAL CHARITIES" (Press release). Mitch Schneider Organization . Retrieved November 13, 2013 .
• ↑ Manning, Kara (November 1, 1999). "TLC Taps Christina Aguilera, Destiny's Child For 2000 Tour" . MTV News . MTV Networks . Retrieved November 13, 2013 .
• ↑ Mancini, Robert (September 27, 1999). "TLC Gets Charitable With Tour Announcement" . MTV News . MTV Networks . Retrieved November 13, 2013 .
• ↑ Mancini, Robert (September 27, 1999). "TLC's Chilli Gets Reacquainted With The Silver Screen" . MTV News . MTV Networks . Retrieved November 13, 2013 .

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Refresh: The Lonely Futurism of TLC's FanMail

By Lindsay Zoladz

A quiz: Is the following a quote from Drake's blog or something an android said in 1999?

"Communication is the key to life. Communication is the key to love. Communication is the key to us. There's over a thousand ways to communicate in our world today. And it's a shame that we don't connect . So if you also feel the need for us to come together, will you communicate with me?"

OK, it's sort of a trick question-- only a small part of it is uttered by an android. The rest is spoken by the very human members of TLC , on an interlude toward the end of their third proper album, 1999's FanMail .

TLC have been on the tips of a lot of tongues lately. Part of this has to do with last week's 10th anniversary of Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes' death at age 30, not to mention the jarring announcement that the surviving members were planning to tour with a Left Eye projection. But even before last week, the sounds of TLC have been hovering in the ether: Grimes cited the group as a major influence on her album Visions ; Nite Jewel called them one of her favorite bands; and all across the indiesphere, a rapidly proliferating group of DIY pop acts like How to Dress Well , Purity Ring , Maria Minerva , and U.S. Girls have paid homage to the 90s R&B sound of which TLC-- still the best-selling American female group in history-- were the undisputed queens. "You can't really help it," says Aluna Francis, 90s child and the singer of UK pop upstarts AlunaGeorge , "[This music] was so ingrained in me that our music ended up sounding quite R&B without meaning to."

When most people think TLC, their brains immediately go to the sounds and images of their 1994 R&B classic CrazySexyCool : "Waterfalls" , silk pajamas , "Red Light Special" . But, perhaps because I still have a very vivid memory of buying it in a New Jersey mall, my thumb obscuring the Parental Advisory sticker so my mom wouldn't see it, the TLC album I've found myself returning to the most in recent years is FanMail .

It was not the group's greatest success (coming off CrazySexyCool , the first-ever diamond-selling album by a female group, six million units in the U.S. is good-not-great), though FanMail did spawn the mega-hit "No Scrubs" , the #1 single "Unpretty" , and earned two Grammys. But this record doesn't seem as ingrained in the collective cultural memory of TLC. Maybe because it's something of an inconsistent hodgepodge, or because certain elements of its futuristic aesthetic have not aged particularly well. But when we talk about TLC's current influence on a whole crop of web-minded, Tumblr-savvy, android-obsessed artists, we don't seem to realize how much we're talking about FanMail -- a record that, almost a decade and a half after its release, still sounds hauntingly prescient, like a transmission from the future.

FanMail was one of the first pop records to aestheticize the internet.

In the years between CrazySexyCool and FanMail, the TLC story got tumultuous. Lopes burned down her boyfriend Andre Rison's house and went to rehab, the group declared bankruptcy at the height of their success thanks to a profoundly shitty recording contract, and internal tensions became almost unbearable. Plenty of other things were going on between 1994 and 1999, behind bedroom doors and in front of flickering screens. Over that five-year span, I added a computer, email address, and an AIM screen name to my life, and by 1999 these things had begun to feel intricately interlaced with my personal identity.

Considering CrazySexyCool and FanMail back-to-back, you can hear these cultural changes take place. A skittish, glitchy album full of distractions, interruptions, and ruptures in consciousness, FanMail was one of the very first pop records to aestheticize the internet. And, like most first times, it was not without awkwardness. Its cover is swathed in not-so-subtle binary code accents and features virtual reality avatar portraits of the ladies. Its beats are gilded with the aged chirps of dial-up connections, and then there's the whole conceit of Vic-E (pronounced "Vicki"), the record's recurring android character who narrates interludes and-- in her shining moment-- raps an entire verse on the track "Silly Ho" : "You know you can't get with this…/ Stuck on silly shit/ Boy you know you need to quit." On its surface, FanMail screams "Y2K."

But if you can get past that, the album grapples with something much deeper that reverberates throughout a lot of pop music today. Although the way the group's delight in singing about email, cyberspace, and "the future of music" captures a sense of emergent-technology wonder that's always a little embarrassing in hindsight,  FanMail is not nearly as interested in what's gained by technology as it is elegiac about what's lost in this new way we connect.

And no song on the album captures that as masterfully as the title track . "Welcome, we have dedicated our entire album to any person who ever sent us fanmail," Vic-E drones over the song's intro, "TLC would like to thank you for your support. But just like you..."-- and here the human voices join in-- "... they get lonely too." If you unfold the booklet accompanying the FanMail CD, you'll see a poster listing the names of thousands of people who had sent the group fan letters, and in the foreground there's a large image of T-Boz, Left Eye, and Chilli made up to look like computer-generated androids themselves, steely and stoic.

As if to say, "this is your brain on the internet," the atmosphere of "FanMail" teems with disembodied voices and interruptions (shouts of "fanmail!" and "the letters!" nag like a backlog of unanswered messages), while T-Boz's gravelly alto lays out the verses: "I got an email today/ I kinda thought that you forgot about me/ So I wanna hit you back to say/ Just like you, I get lonely too."

When the song came out, plenty of listeners probably thought it was about cybersex (another one of those quaint Y2K words), but it doesn't sound that simple today. At first, it seems odd to combine the whole theme of fan letters with a lyrical address that feels so privately seductive-- but isn't that also the crux of Drake's similarly unconsummated "Marvin's Room" , when the rapper confesses into a receiver that he's "having a hard time adjusting to fame"? "FanMail" is all about the bizarre feeling of being inundated with messages and superficial attempts at connection-- and somehow feeling even more isolated because of it. Libidinous yet unremittingly anxious, the track articulates a whole new kind of longing: the loneliness of constant connectedness, and how the more time we spend in the digital world, the more we fetishize the real. "Every day I think I'm gonna meet ya," T-Boz confesses as the track escalates towards an abrupt anti-climax, "Can't wait til the day I see ya." It's no shock that when Drake covered a TLC song in 2010, he chose "FanMail."

We are now used to art that poeticizes these sorts of feelings, whether it's Drake's Take Care , or the pathetically relatable final scene in David Fincher's The Social Network in which the protagonist is left alone, waiting for his ex to accept his friend request, or the particularly great moment at the end of the third episode of "Girls", where we watch Lena Dunham's character Hannah brighten her mood by deleting a solipsistic tweet and replacing it with a slyly optimistic one, inspired by Robyn's "Dancing on My Own" .

"FanMail" instantly became my favorite TLC song when I heard it-- and it still is today-- because it honored the things I was feeling. It was the first song to make me think that digital existence wasn't trivial and dumb, but something out of which tragedy and poetry could spring-- that it was valid to make art out of these feelings, and that maybe other people were feeling them too.

In 1999, I spent some time in front of a computer teaching myself HTML and Photoshop, and I would visit strangers' personal websites to get ideas for new designs. These were the days when most websites had hit counters to measure their traffic, and I have a distinct memory from around this time of stumbling upon a site that promised to post the name of their 100,000th visitor. The counter was only about 50 hits shy, and somehow there was something exciting to me about acquiring this bit of micro-fame. So I refreshed. And refreshed and refreshed and refreshed. And then the counter said 100,000 and I took a screenshot of it and emailed it with my name to the person who ran the site. I had achieved what I'd set out to achieve. So why didn't it feel that way?

Fame now feels that much more attainable, but the catch is that we finally get to know all about that alone-in-a-crowded-room feeling that famous people have been singing about for years.

In the 10 years since Left Eye's death, we all got to be a little famous. The idea of "fanmail"-- even the very word -- feels quaint and outdated. The channels have opened up so that we all send it and-- more importantly-- receive it on a daily basis in some form, be it retweets or reblogs or likes. The fact that I took a screenshot of a hit counter just so I could see my name on someone's website is now deeply embarrassing to me, because how can you even imagine a time when it was a thrilling novelty to see your name on the internet? One thing that even the all-knowing Vic-E could not predict is the democratization of celebrity. Which means fame now feels that much more attainable, but the catch is that we finally get to know all about that alone-in-a-crowded-room feeling that famous people have been singing about for years.

I have a Word document where I keep snippets of new technology-related phenomena that are unsettling in one way or another (which sounds like an idea I got from Tumblr but is actually based on the section of Doris Lessing's The Golden Notebook that's composed entirely of newspaper clippings the protagonist has collected about communism and nuclear war). Recent additions include quotes from an article about Twitter death hoaxes, a few lines from a year-and-a-half old New York Times Magazine story about what happens to your social media profiles after you die, a screenshot of a friend's status chastising a guy (a 21st century scrub?) for avoiding relationship drama by faking his own death on Facebook, a link to a tribute honoring the music of Left Eye with an embedded video of the handheld footage leading up to the seconds her car crashed, an image of Hologram Tupac (and a link to a comments section in which a man who professes to be a scientist explains that it's not technically a hologram when you get right down to it), a joke about "Ghost Coachella 2013", and every news item I can find about the Left Eye Hologram Reunion Tour. The point of which is to say that, in 1999, I did not yet know how I felt about rapping androids or the future of music or a lot of the other ideas that FanMail kicked up, but I knew I felt something.

By Nina Corcoran

By Matthew Strauss

By Jazz Monroe

Moscow Metro Underground Small-Group Tour - With Reviews & Ratings

Moscow metro underground small-group tour.

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Tour Information

Key Details

• Mobile Voucher Accepted
• Free Cancellation
• Duration: 3 Hrs
• Language: English
• Departure Time : 10:00 AM
• Departure Details : Karl Marks Monument on Revolution Square, metro stop: Square of Revolution
• Return Details : Metro Smolenskaya
• If you cancel at least 4 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
• If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
• Tours booked using discount coupon codes will be non refundable.

Go beneath the streets on this tour of the spectacular, mind-bending Moscow Metro! Be awed by architecture and spot the Propaganda , then hear soviet stories from a local in the know. Finish it all up above ground, looking up to Stalins skyscrapers, and get the inside scoop on whats gone on behind those walls.

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We begin our Moscow tour beneath the city, exploring the underground palace of the Moscow Metro. From the Square of Revolution station, famous for its huge statues of soviet people (an armed soldier, a farmer with a rooster, a warrior, and more), we’ll move onto some of the most significant stations, where impressive mosaics, columns, and chandeliers will boggle your eyes! Moreover, these stations reveal a big part of soviet reality — the walls depict plenty of Propaganda , with party leaders looking down from images on the walls. Your local guide will share personal stories of his/her family from USSR times, giving you insight into Russia’s complicated past and present. Then we’re coming back up to street level, where we’ll take a break and refuel with some Russian fast food: traditional pancakes, called bliny. And then, stomachs satiated, we are ready to move forward! We’ll take the eco-friendly electric trolleybus, with a route along the Moscow Garden Ring. Used mainly by Russian babushkas(grannies) during the day, the trolleybus hits peak hours in the mornings and evenings, when many locals use it going to and from their days. Our first stop will be the Aviator’s House, one of Stalin’s Seven Sisters, followed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs — and you’ll hear the legends of what has gone on inside the walls. Throughout your Moscow tour, you’ll learn curious facts from soviet history while seeing how Russia exists now, 25 years after the USSR.

Local English-speaking guide

Pancake snack and drink

Additional food and drinks

Tickets for public transport

Souvenirs and items of a personal nature

Tips and gratuities for the guide

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking

Dress standard: Please wear comfortable shoes for walking. For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people

Traveler Reviews

This tour exceeded our expectations. Nikolai (Nick), our tour guide, was very knowledgeable, thorough, and has a great personality. He didn't take shortcuts and really covered everything that was on the agenda in great detail. We saw beautiful metro stations and learned the history behind them, including many of the murals and designs.

We did the tour with Anna her knowledge and understanding of the History surrounding the metro brought the tour alive. Well done Anna!

This tour was amazing!

Anna was a great tour guide. She gave us heaps of interesting information, was very friendly, and very kindly showed us how to get to our next tour.

Amazing beauty and history.

An excellent tour helped by an absolutely amazing guide. Anna gave a great insight into the history of the metro helped by additional material she had prepared.

great tour and guide - thanks again

great will do it again, Miriam ke was very good as a guide she has lived here all here life so knew every interesting detail.a good day

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Moscow Metro

The Moscow Metro Tour is included in most guided tours’ itineraries. Opened in 1935, under Stalin’s regime, the metro was not only meant to solve transport problems, but also was hailed as “a people’s palace”. Every station you will see during your Moscow metro tour looks like a palace room. There are bright paintings, mosaics, stained glass, bronze statues… Our Moscow metro tour includes the most impressive stations best architects and designers worked at - Ploshchad Revolutsii, Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya, Kievskaya, Novoslobodskaya and some others.

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The guide will not only help you navigate the metro, but will also provide you with fascinating background tales for the images you see and a history of each station.

And there some stories to be told during the Moscow metro tour! The deepest station - Park Pobedy - is 84 metres under the ground with the world longest escalator of 140 meters. Parts of the so-called Metro-2, a secret strategic system of underground tunnels, was used for its construction.

During the Second World War the metro itself became a strategic asset: it was turned into the city's biggest bomb-shelter and one of the stations even became a library. 217 children were born here in 1941-1942! The metro is the most effective means of transport in the capital.

There are almost 200 stations 196 at the moment and trains run every 90 seconds! The guide of your Moscow metro tour can explain to you how to buy tickets and find your way if you plan to get around by yourself.

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Elektrostal

Elektrostal Localisation : Country Russia , Oblast Moscow Oblast . Available Information : Geographical coordinates , Population, Area, Altitude, Weather and Hotel . Nearby cities and villages : Noginsk , Pavlovsky Posad and Staraya Kupavna .

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40 facts about elektrostal.

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

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