TLC's Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes dies.

April 26, 2002 1:02 AM

TLC's Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes dies. A car accident in Honduras. I sure hope her record company behaves itself.
posted by allaboutgeorge (68 comments total)

from what i heard, they already got all her money years ago.
posted by quonsar at 1:08 AM on April 26, 2002

I blame poor depth perception.
posted by dong_resin at 1:15 AM on April 26, 2002

Poor taste, but funny.
posted by donkeyschlong at 1:19 AM on April 26, 2002

I always thought she was the coolest out of all of them. Not a nice way to go. I'm sure she'll be missed, although probably not by her former boyfriend whose house she burnt down.
posted by Jubey at 1:25 AM on April 26, 2002

great. i was hoping crazysexycool was gonna be the last time i had to endure a flood from TLC's PR department. and this one will be in even worse taste.
posted by patricking at 1:31 AM on April 26, 2002

What a waste of good tattoo ink. But now she gets to test her thesis:

I believe when someone passes away
Either a star is born, energy so pure
That it creates new worlds
Or as the soul releases
Shatters into pieces
Becoming free flowing thoughts

[No, I didn't know that, I found it on the web.]
posted by pracowity at 2:00 AM on April 26, 2002

great. it's 4:56am here in the water/winter wonderland and i'm hearing cheech in my head saying "wow man. he stuck it in her eye man." over and over.
no wait... isn't this the psychedelics thread?
posted by quonsar at 2:05 AM on April 26, 2002

Was she leaning out of the passenger side of her best friend's ride?
posted by Spoon at 2:14 AM on April 26, 2002

Yeah, she was tryin' to holler at me.
posted by RubiX^3 at 2:58 AM on April 26, 2002

> Was she leaning out of the passenger side of her
> best friend's ride?

And, as dong_resin suggests, didn't see that telephone pole coming? Could be. Or riding on the roof: "Lopes was reportedly among seven people in the car Thursday night and the only fatality."

And I want to know why they said she died 'tragically'.

"Lopes becomes the second female R&B singer to die tragically in less than a year, following the death last August of rising star Aaliyah in a plane crash in the Bahamas. Arista rapper Notorious B.I.G. was killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles in 1997."

How would she (or Aaliyah) have to have died to make it untragic? What would it take for them to say someone died 'amusingly' or 'typically' or 'finally'? And are they hinting that the Notorious B.I.G.'s death was not tragic? How did he die, 'humongously'?
posted by pracowity at 3:08 AM on April 26, 2002

I'm not positive about amusingly, typically, or finally, but I think they would have to do with drunken clowns, flaming chainsaws, and wrestling alligators, respectively.
posted by RubiX^3 at 3:11 AM on April 26, 2002

Sometimes when you feel like you're gonna have it your way or nothing at all, you get sick and tired of sticking to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to. Sometimes when you go chasing waterfalls, large boulders crush your skull and you die.
posted by Stumpy McGee at 3:20 AM on April 26, 2002

What a waste of good tattoo ink.

I told my tattooist that he can have my skin when I go.

RIP, Lefty. Burn down a few on the Big Up There for us.
posted by adampsyche at 4:32 AM on April 26, 2002

As heard on talk radio this morning....

{in bad taste}

In other news, Andre Rison had the best sleep he had in years.

{/in bad taste}
posted by mkelley at 6:11 AM on April 26, 2002

Notorious B.I.G.'s death was not tragic? How did he die, 'humongously'?
no tor ious ly.
posted by quonsar at 6:11 AM on April 26, 2002

I came here to grieve with people I thought were my friends, and now I'm more upset than ever. I can't believe how callous you're all being about this. The poor woman died for god's sake!! Does that mean nothing to you? Death is a horrible, horrible thing. I hope you never have to experience the suffering her family, friend and fans are going through right now. She's probably up in heaven right now looking down and crying over how disrespectful you're being to her! You should all be ashamed of yourselves.
</sarcasm>
posted by jpoulos at 6:15 AM on April 26, 2002

This is the most heartless (and the funniest ) thread of the week, for sure. Poor depth perception!
posted by dr_emory at 6:15 AM on April 26, 2002

All I have to say is that I hate MTV and what it has done to our concepts of value and worth.
posted by yangwar at 6:25 AM on April 26, 2002

Poor death perception?
posted by adampsyche at 6:25 AM on April 26, 2002

adampsyche: She used to wear a patch over one eye, as a gimmick, hence the nickname "Left Eye".
posted by jpoulos at 6:32 AM on April 26, 2002

And I want to know why they said she died 'tragically'.
GOD DAMMIT! if Our™ Media® [bows head, makes sign of the dollar] says the terrorists are COWARDLY, and Our™ Media® [genuflects, strikes wallet thrice] says Left Eye died TRAGICALLY, THEN THEY ARE AND SHE DID. PEOPLE!!! IT IS TIME TO STOP DISRESPECTING OUR™ MEDIA®
registered trademark, patents pending, contents may have settled during shipping, contains less than 4 insect parts per thousand, known as Best™ Media® west of the rockies.
posted by quonsar at 6:39 AM on April 26, 2002

Tragic death = untimely passing at the hands of something other than illness or addiction. (Note that Layne Staley's death wasn't tragic, it was just sad.)

I'm no Lefteye or Aaliyah fan, but many others are, and dying in an accident when someone else is controlling the vehicle can appropriately be called a tragic event.
posted by werty at 6:55 AM on April 26, 2002

Tragic Doughnuts = no frosting or filling. (Note that powdered doughnuts are not tragic, they are just messy.)
posted by Perigee at 7:04 AM on April 26, 2002

I find addiction tragic.
posted by jpoulos at 7:15 AM on April 26, 2002

From the Honduran Times:

"Miss Lopes was admitted with what seemed to be serious but relatively survivable injuries following the accident," said Dr. Hernando Florez of Our Lady of Divine Filtration Hospital in Tegucigalpa. "She refused medical treatment from the hospital staff, however, after repeatedly shouting 'I don't want no scrubs!' during her time in the emergency room."
posted by Danelope at 7:20 AM on April 26, 2002

Sometimes, tragedy is addictive...
posted by shecky57 at 7:25 AM on April 26, 2002

Worst. Taste. Ever.
posted by solistrato at 7:43 AM on April 26, 2002

april 26: rapper t-boz (TLC) is 32.

not a very fun birthday present.
posted by bwg at 8:05 AM on April 26, 2002

I find flippancy tragic.
posted by gazingus at 8:23 AM on April 26, 2002

> Tragic death = untimely passing at the hands of
> something other than illness or addiction. (Note that
> Layne Staley's death wasn't tragic, it was just sad.)

Let's see. An overdose is just sad but a car accident is tragic. And getting sick doesn't count. If she had died of leukemia or AIDS, that have been sad but not tragic.

What would choking on a ham sandwich rate? Mournfully? Sorrowfully? Regrettably? Lamentably? (Flippantly?)
posted by pracowity at 8:34 AM on April 26, 2002

It certainly doesn't sound kosher to me....
posted by darren at 8:39 AM on April 26, 2002

Wow, I must've been the only person here who actually liked her stuff. I can't wait to crow about that whiny-ass Bob Dylan when his sorry ass kicks the bucket.

I was curious to see where her career on the allegedly resusciatated Tha Row (Formerly Death Row Records) under the name "Nina" was gonna go. Guess we'll not know, unless Suge decides to keep with his usual level of bad taste and proceed with an album anyway.
posted by anildash at 8:41 AM on April 26, 2002

adampsyche: She used to wear a patch over one eye, as a gimmick, hence the nickname "Left Eye".

I know, I was playin'...

Danelope: that was funny. Cruel and twisted, but dammit, funny.
posted by adampsyche at 8:51 AM on April 26, 2002

Wow, I must've been the only person here who actually liked her stuff. I can't wait to crow about that whiny-ass Bob Dylan when his sorry ass kicks the bucket.

Gosh, thank you, Anil, for saying this better than I could (even though I would have mentioned someone else other than Bob Dylan). This thread is sad in more ways than one. It's not even as shocking to me because I liked TLC. It's sad because I didn't realize that some people don't deserve respect after they die simply because they made a few mistakes.

Damn, Kenny McCormack got more respect on MeFi than Left Eye did...
posted by lnicole at 9:04 AM on April 26, 2002

Oh come on. This happens all the time. A bit of humour is how some people deal with unexpected death. That it happens to a celebrity means essentially that it could happen to any one of us. That idea scares me at least and the humour is a way of brushing the thought off.
posted by DaRiLo at 9:15 AM on April 26, 2002

I can't wait to crow about that whiny-ass Bob Dylan when his sorry ass kicks the bucket

I can't wait to crow about that whiny-ass Anildash when his sorry ass kicks the bucket.
posted by websavvy at 9:18 AM on April 26, 2002

Wow, I must've been the only person here who actually liked her stuff.

I love her stuff. I thought she was great, and when I heard the news this morning, my jaw dropped. I think it's horrible that she died so young. But just because we're joking about her doesn't mean we didn't like her or respect her. In case you haven't noticed, she's not here to take offense. No harm, no foul.
posted by jpoulos at 9:19 AM on April 26, 2002

Man when one of the assclowns from Radiohead dies, i'll bring the balloons.
posted by jbelshaw at 9:30 AM on April 26, 2002

Poor death perception?

Yes, making this thread.....poor death reception?
posted by jalexei at 9:38 AM on April 26, 2002 [1 favorite]

Her stuff was tripe and I don't really have any respect for her, but hey, ask not for whom the bell tolls. RIP.
posted by tetsuo at 9:46 AM on April 26, 2002

I just have to sadly shake my head at the news entertainment media attention this morning over the accidental death of a washed-up bankrupt alcoholic arsonist. I know I shouldn't be surprised, considering all the manufactured hype surrounding a faded D-list 'celebrity' killer this week, but still...
posted by SenshiNeko at 10:12 AM on April 26, 2002

Just when you thought it was safe to come out ...

schadenfreude
posted by dhartung at 10:15 AM on April 26, 2002

Anybody hear any details on what really happened here? According to CNN, her death was instantaneous, and yet none of the seven other people in her vehicle was even injured.

Did someone poke their head out of the sunroof at a very, very bad time? Did I see this on Six Feet Under a couple of weeks back? Sorry to be ghoulish, but, well, I need to know.
posted by luser at 10:28 AM on April 26, 2002

Well obviously, everyone's attitude on the matter is completely selfish. If you don't feel you got anything from her being here, then you can joke at how seriously people take it because it's no loss to you. If you DID feel like you've lost something (ie, enjoyment of music), you are appalled at how bitter and unfeeling everyone can be at her death (and your loss).

So, in essence, you could possibly take a thread like this and decide a dead artist's worth to the world. Case in point, Lisa Lopez vs. another recent death.
posted by Espoo2 at 10:31 AM on April 26, 2002

What's interesting is how this death is being played out on television. BET? Not even a screen crawl. MTV just ran the first screen crawl within the last five minutes. But VH1 has suspended normal programming and are showing (seemingly) the entire TLC video catalgoue, with Left Eye's rap breaks intact along with a detailed screen crawl with quotes from Chilli and T-Boz, LA Reid and informing us why Lopes was in Honduras, how much she loved it, and that the band's manager is flying down to bring the body back.

The death of Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes (RIP) puts another nail into the coffin of MTV "News."
posted by Dreama at 10:34 AM on April 26, 2002

I enjoyed her music about 10 years ago, but wouldn't consider myself a fan now. Naturally it's always a shame when someone is taken away in the prime of life. I'm sure she had a lot more to contribute to the music world and she'll be missed.

The death of Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes (RIP) puts another nail into the coffin of MTV "News."

I don't know why MTV has managed to drop the ball not once but twice in the last week. They didn't do much in tribute to Layne Staley either.

If a Backstreet Boy died, I wonder if MTV would take it so lightly.
posted by jerseygirl at 11:06 AM on April 26, 2002

'cause they are VH-1 material. C'mon, MTV is all about Britney, J. Lo, BSB, O-Town, Shakira, Ashanti... Hell, even Destiny's Child is slippin' to the VH-1 zone.
posted by hobbes at 11:32 AM on April 26, 2002

I can't wait to crow about that whiny-ass Anildash when his sorry ass kicks the bucket.

Okay, now that's funny. Heh.

For the record, I wasn't pretending she's some great artist. But you look at the reverence for George Harrison, say, and it makes ya wonder...
posted by anildash at 11:37 AM on April 26, 2002

But you look at the reverence for George Harrison, say, and it makes ya wonder...

This is likely because the music of the Beatles have touched vast numbers of people over the past three to four decades in far more meaningful ways than TLC's schlock music about sex, begging for sex, and gangstas.
posted by Danelope at 11:48 AM on April 26, 2002

TLC's schlock music about sex, begging for sex, and gangstas.

As opposed to the Beatles tunes about LSD, bank-robbing racoons and yellow submarines? Of course the Beatles were more popular and influential that TLC, but don't try to use this to somehow prove the superiority of your musical taste.
posted by jpoulos at 11:59 AM on April 26, 2002

Ah Danelope, so we're being COMPLETELY subjective here then. For instance, I don't really like the Beatles. Yet, I didn't go into the Harrison obit thread and say, "Good riddance to a moron who tripped on so much acid that he eventually became a Hari Krishna."

I suppose what they say is true, although never has advice been ignored more, If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all.
posted by BlueTrain at 12:01 PM on April 26, 2002

Damnit jpoulos...I must stop spell checking myself.
posted by BlueTrain at 12:03 PM on April 26, 2002

MTV2 played a stretch of Layne Stanley videos after his death. I guess you either have to pay for premium cable or go to your parent's place and watch theirs if you want to see MTV give a crap about someone in the music industry dieing.
posted by Werd7 at 12:30 PM on April 26, 2002

...but don't try to use this to somehow prove the superiority of your musical taste.

Trust me, I'm not. I've never liked the Beatles much, I don't own a single album by them, and I've not heard more than their greatest hits, but the reason for disparity in outpouring of emotion in the case of George Harrison vs. Lisa Lopes seems really frigging obvious.

Also, BlueTrain, there's another old saying about glass houses and stones. Thanks, though.
posted by Danelope at 12:54 PM on April 26, 2002

Personally, I started snarking because I'm sick to death (no pun intended) of the "this thread is for grieving" threads. I think they're ridiculous, regardless of who they "honor". If you're point is simply that Lopez got less respect IRL than, say, Harrison did, because she was a black, female hip-hopper, then I'd agree. Is that why this thread has been snarkier than the Harrison one? Possibly, but I think also it's just a case of numbers. As a less popular act than Harrison, she has fewer voices in here trying to guilt the snarkers into submission.

My point? I'm not really sure. But I want to stress that my snarkiness is not due to any lack of respect for Lopez and her work. I felt the same way on the Milton Berle thread, and those related to it. I can only speak for myself, though.
posted by jpoulos at 1:01 PM on April 26, 2002

No problem Danelope, so long as we both agree that we're both wrong.

but the reason for disparity in outpouring of emotion in the case of George Harrison vs. Lisa Lopes seems really frigging obvious.

What's obvious? Because some are more popular than others, they get more respect and dignity after their death? Hell, I don't give a shit about her or her music, but an entire thread dedicated to mocking her life after death is incredibly tasteless and sub-par. But hell, some people get off on it.
posted by BlueTrain at 2:27 PM on April 26, 2002

But hell, some people get off on it.
quonsar sighs contentedly, lights cigarette.
posted by quonsar at 2:52 PM on April 26, 2002

The Learning Channel? OH, TLC, the band... Hmm...

I would have figured most mefi visitors, being educated, would associate TLC more rapidly with the (excellent) network rather than the band.
posted by benh57 at 4:59 PM on April 26, 2002

"I find addiction tragic."

i find tragedy addicting!

"How am I supposed to fantasize about a TLC foursome skallas sandwich with a friggin dead girl?"

funny... now it's easier for me.
posted by jcterminal at 5:43 PM on April 26, 2002

Throw out bait like that, benh57, and I'll bite: Are you assuming that lack of education keeps fans of the network and the band from intermingling? 'Cause I dig both, and I haven't confused the two yet.
posted by allaboutgeorge at 10:26 PM on April 26, 2002

Just to close out this thread, here's what the NY Times obit says:

The accident occurred in Roma, a popular vacation spot on the Caribbean coast. Ms. Lopes, who was 30 and lived in Atlanta, had a condominium near a Honduran village where African healing was practiced, Mr. Marose said. He said Ms. Lopes was at the wheel of a rented Mitsubishi sport utility vehicle and lost control. The police said it veered off the road and turned over several times.

Ms. Lopes died at the scene. Mr. Marose said there were seven passengers, including Ms. Lopes's sister, Raina, and brother, Ronald; three members of a rhythm-and-blues group, Egypt; and two video producers. The producers were working on a documentary about Ms. Lopes's "spiritual journey," Mr. Marose said.
posted by pracowity at 2:38 AM on April 27, 2002

Another loss of a low-talent lucky person who happened to be employed in the music industry. Why is this being portrayed by the "music-video" generation as the equivalent of the Passing Of A Goddess?

And before you jump all over me, please explain exactly WHY she was "famous." Most musical performers are simply lucky -- nothing more. To my knowledge (and I could be wrong), this Lopes person was not musically skilled in any way -- she simply stood in front of a microphone and wailed away while flaunting her attitude and sexuality, like 90% of all people who are categorized as "musicians" or "singers" in the mainstream media.

Sad? Sure. Tragic? Perhaps. Worthy of tributes on cable channels? Ha.
posted by davidmsc at 7:04 AM on April 27, 2002

If you're having a party, be sure to invite davidmsc. He's bringing the music.
posted by websavvy at 9:47 AM on April 27, 2002

And before you jump all over me, please explain exactly WHY she was "famous."

She was famous because she was 1/3 of the top-selling female group of all time -- selling more records than any of the famous girl groups of the sixties, including the Supremes, and still ranking (slightly) above the wildly popular Destiny's Child. TLC have been wildly popular since their debut record -- perhaps not with you or your social set, but they did sell a hell of a lot of records. That makes someone famous.

Most musical performers are simply lucky -- nothing more. To my knowledge (and I could be wrong), this Lopes person was not musically skilled in any way -- she simply stood in front of a microphone and wailed away while flaunting her attitude and sexuality, like 90% of all people who are categorized as "musicians" or "singers" in the mainstream media.

Well, unlike many hop-hoppers she could actually carry a tune, and quite well. She also co-wrote music and lyrics on all of the groups' records, and had a hand in producing. Coupling those facts with their sales record would tend to indicate that she was not a talentless hack.

Sad? Sure. Tragic? Perhaps. Worthy of tributes on cable channels? Ha.

Cable channels which specialise in popular music frequently pay tribute to popular musicians who die in unexpected and unfortunate circumstances. The televised music world shut down at the death of Aliyah, only slightly younger and whose death was clearly avoidable. (She was also included in the "In Memoriam" tribute at this year's Oscars, despite having only completed 1.75 films, while Peggy Lee who was Oscar nominated during her career, was left out. But I digress.) Lopes had her problems and setbacks but her musical history is without a single misstep from day one, despite bankruptcies, a lawsuit circle with former management and her well-publicised personal problems, and the fruits of that career warrant recognition.
posted by Dreama at 11:49 AM on April 27, 2002

this yesterdayland site makes a nice tribute page :) don't go chasin' waterfalls!
posted by kliuless at 12:36 PM on April 27, 2002

Well said, Dreama. Thanks for the response.
posted by davidmsc at 5:27 PM on April 27, 2002

Thank you, Dreama.
posted by jpoulos at 10:28 PM on April 27, 2002

who the hell would go to hondouras for a vacation.....duh!
posted by billybob at 1:38 PM on April 28, 2002