Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes Snubbed in TLC "Waterfalls" Music Video Remake
A new music video by TLC is causing quite a stir, and the family of the late Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes is not too happy about what they perceive to be a snub of the former group member. In the new "Waterfalls" video, Lopes has been replaced by Japanese artist Namie Amuro.
The decision to put in Amuro incensed many adoring fans and family members of Lopes because of her lack of resemblance, both in look and style, to the late rapper. Amuro has been called by many the "Britney Spears" of Japan, and there does not appear that there was much of an acknowledgment of Lopes' efforts in the new music video.
"The only way I found out was because a friend of mine was cast as an extra and flew down there and I happened to go up there with her," Lisa Lopes's sister Reigndrop Lopes said."I mean it would have been nice if they would have given us a heads up before being surprised."
Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and Rozonda "Chili" Thomas are the other two members of the famous 90's RnB group that came out with such hits as "Waterfalls" and "Scrubs." Lopes was a part of the group as well until 2002, when she tragically died in a car accident while filming a documentary in the Honduras. She was 30 years old.
Lisa Lopes' sister also said that her mother was "shocked and hurt" by the "Waterfalls" remake, explaining that keeping her daughter on the song would allow her memory to live on. TLC's biggest hit likely holds a special place in Lopes' family's hearts, seeing as how lyrics from the song were engraved in the singer's coffin after her death," notes idesigntimes.com.
So far the music video has only been confirmed to be released in Japan, though it is likely to receive air time in the U.S. as well. The video was made in celebration of the group's 20th anniversary, making the apparent snub of Lopes all the more odd. For those that new her best, Lopes was an endless source of talent and inspiration that drove the group to greatness.
"She was determined to be something in life. She was a true Hip-Hop star. She cared about some press. She was the star out of the group," said famous producer Jermaine Dupri recalled after her death. "You could not expect the expected. When you see Lisa, you could expect something from her. That is the gift she carried."