TLC - Oooooohhh...On The TLC Tip

Oooooohhh...On The TLC Tip is a ridiculously fun debut. To me, it epitomizes the early 90s -- individuality, loud colors and having a good time. It spoke of issues of the times. The AIDS epidemic was spreading out of control and groups like TLC -- with condom patches on their clothes -- (and Salt-N-Pepa's "Let's Talk About Sex") took such issues head on, exemplifying a new kind of female consciousness. The woman of the '90s was a rugged individual, never afraid to party, but was also responsible and looked out for her body. This is a album for all girls (and boys) who wore their pants low, bucked trends and defined themselves. T-Boz, Chili and Left Eye all exhibited a playful exuberance on this record that played itself out on the album's interludes and party anthems like "Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg."

Where CrazySexyCool showed a balance of multiple nuances, Oooooohhh sided solely on "Crazy," with Left Eye's wildchild persona dominating the style and vibe of this album. It was over the top and colorful. The songs had a playful (borderline juvenile) air about them -- especially on cuts such as "Hat 2 Da Back," "Shock Dat Monkey" and "Das Da Way We Like 'Em" -- a style all but abandoned on their later efforts. "What About Your Friends" is an undeniable floor filler with instant crossover appeal.

The Babyface sound of the time is emblazoned all over this album and is displayed its best in the laid-back New Jill ballad "Baby, Baby, Baby." There was something for everybody on this album. Each member of the group brought a unique aspect to the table and each song appeals to listeners in their own unique ways. A colorful, innocuous and delectable debut that is Oooooohhh...On The TLC Tip.

I liked it at the time. My older sis' had it. The zany video to "ain't to proud to beg" was on MTV loads back then.....I got "another bad creation" album, my sis' got the tlc album. Both r quite samey in prodcuction. Both got that killer swing Dallis Austin sound.....

I prefer my "another bad creation" album. I was surprised at how mature they got with their follow up album.....after all, they were concieved as the female bel biv devoe!

I was 11. I remember seeing the video for "Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg" in the US in summer 1992, and I was so taken by the beats and their wacky clothes that I had to go to Sam Goody and find their tape. I was debatin' whether to get a maxi-single of "Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg Remixes" because I knew for sure that track was hot, or if I should take a leap of faith and go all-out. I'm glad I copped the album. My favorite song on there was (and still is) "This Is How It Should Be Done", because I was all about Marley Marl and the more hip-hop side to TLC. The samples listed in the liner notes got me hip to quite a few breakbeats too.

JANFAN4L said:

Perfectly summed up. This was everything I loved about the early 90s.

It was such a hopeful time for female MCs and artists. TLC came out with boyish Cross Colors type clothing and weren't afraid to wear sagging baggies or short haircuts. They had skills. They talked about sex. Safe sex! They were having a ball. It looked like the torch that was lit by Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, etc. was going to be carried on into the future. Ah, I can just close my eyes and pretend that the last ten years in the music industry never happened...

Thanks, Janfan!

Yeah, I was just playing this the other day. I think this album defined what was gonna happen with female artist in the 90's. All through out the decade female artist were making "girl anthems" that TLC kicked back into gear in the 90's. Alot of songs by Destiny's Child and others were influened by them.

I remember when they were being touted as the female version of BBD...their popularity and record sales surpassed them.

boriquateddy said:

I know "Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg," "Baby-Baby-Baby," and "What About Your Friends" each went platinum.

That album sold a lot of copies back then. MP3s didn't exist. That's when people used to BUY albums and singles.

It was a good, fun album to dig on for that time period. Some of it will hold up over time. I remember going to see them when they were promoting this album, and before they got all "sexified," and they came out without the baggy clothes on, and I was like, "whoa."

I was only 10 yrs old when this came out, and I was in love with all 3 of them, especially Chilli

Great album for the times and its almost 13 yrs old!!!

This was indeed, a great album.....or CD

I didnt even get 2 buy the CD until like 1998 or something. A very good CD too....then some1 stole it from me

paisleypark4 said:

CrazySexyCool was the shit....that album was BIG....to bad they didn't see any of the money..

Oh yeah and "that" fire.....hmmm someone got a weee crazy ha!

I caught the TLC train when they grew up with CrazySexyCool & FanMail, I respected the girls, they played their roles well. I probably didn't get OOoooohhh cause I thought it was corny and childish at the time. But now when I hear those songs again, they weren't that bad at all. And I can't go wrong in saying they did an awesome remake of Get it Up.

How much fun was this!

TLC was in House Party 3 but I don't remember them being called TLC? Unless, of course, they weren't supposed to be playing themselves.

I remember that. good movie (if only 4 the crazy performance by Bernie mac!).....they were called sex bomb or something. They were playing a band in the movie.....


U should check out dallis austins' group that dropped an album in 1992 and they were called "highland place mobsters". Same sorta sound as tlc's first album. Good rap group.....try and find it, it is really good.

They were Sex As A Deadly Weapon in House Party 3.