Tionne Watkins
Encyclopedia
Tionne Tenese Watkins better known by her stage name
T-Boz, is a four-time Grammy Award–winning American singer, actress, author, and executive producer who rose to fame as the lead singer and one-third of the R&B/hip-hop girl group TLC
.
, Iowa
. She is of both African American
and Native American
descent. As a child, Watkins was diagnosed with sickle-cell anemia; her parents both have the homozygous recessive trait which one in 12 people of African descent have. Since the age of seven, Watkins has been in and out of hospitals due to her condition. Watkins' family moved from Des Moines to Atlanta, Georgia
, when she was nine years old. Because of her disease Watkins was not expected to live past her 30s, but has done so.
eventually attracted the attention of Perri "Pebbles" Reid and her husband, LaFace Records
chief Antonio "L.A." Reid. L.A. Reid replaced Jones with Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas
, and the group was signed in 1991 as TLC, which would go on to become one of the most successful girl groups in history and sell 65 million records worldwide.
) and "My Getaway" (for the soundtrack to the 2000 film Rugrats in Paris: The Movie
.) In addition, she has been a featured vocalist on such songs as: "Ghetto Love" with Da Brat
, "Changes" with Society of Soul
, "He Say She Say" with Keith Sweat
, "Different Times" with Raphael Saadiq
and "Be Somebody" with Paula Cole
. Watkins has appeared on a song by her TLC bandmate Rozonda Thomas, entitled "Gameproof".
Watkins has worked as an actress, appearing in Hype Williams
' 1998 film Belly
. Along with her TLC bandmates, she also appeared in an episode of Living Single
. Watkins also served as one of the executive producers for the 2006 movie ATL
featuring the rapper, T.I.
. She was also featured in the music video for "It's Good" with YoungBloodZ
, and appeared on The Real Housewives of Atlanta
as a friend of Kandi Burruss
. T-Boz was a contestant in The Celebrity Apprentice
, where she was fired for volunteering to come back into the boardroom. After referencing a previous contestant who was fired from the show for the same action, Donald Trump told her, "Never volunteer for an execution."
In August 2000, Watkins married rapper Mack 10
. The couple's daughter, Chase Anela Rolison, was born on October 20, 2000. In June 2004, she filed for divorce and requested a restraining order
against Mack 10. Following the split, Watkins entered a three year relationship with Takeo Spikes
of the San Diego Chargers
.
In October 2009, Watkins revealed on CBS' The Early Show
and in People
magazine that she had secretly battled a potentially fatal brain tumor for three years. In March 2006, she was diagnosed as having a strawberry-size acoustic neuroma
on her vestibular nerve
, which affected her balance, hearing, sight, and facial movement. Many physicians refused to remove the tumor due to her sickle-cell-related complications, leaving her alternatives grim; ultimately she underwent surgery at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles.
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
T-Boz, is a four-time Grammy Award–winning American singer, actress, author, and executive producer who rose to fame as the lead singer and one-third of the R&B/hip-hop girl group TLC
TLC (band)
TLC is an American musical trio whose repertoire spanned R&B, hip-hop, soul, funk, and new jack swing. Originally consisting of singer Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, rapper-singer Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes and singer Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas it found success in the 1990s while also enduring a series of spats...
.
Early life
Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins was born in Des MoinesDes Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
. She is of both African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
and Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
descent. As a child, Watkins was diagnosed with sickle-cell anemia; her parents both have the homozygous recessive trait which one in 12 people of African descent have. Since the age of seven, Watkins has been in and out of hospitals due to her condition. Watkins' family moved from Des Moines to Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, when she was nine years old. Because of her disease Watkins was not expected to live past her 30s, but has done so.
TLC
Atlanta-local named Crystal Jones held auditions for a local group, who chose Watkins, and Lisa "Left-Eye" LopesLisa Lopes
Lisa Nicole Lopes better known by her stage name Left Eye, was an American rapper, singer, dancer, actress, television host, and songwriter...
eventually attracted the attention of Perri "Pebbles" Reid and her husband, LaFace Records
LaFace Records
LaFace Records is an American record label, owned and operated by Sony Music Entertainment.-Company history:LaFace was formed in 1989 as a joint venture between the producing duo Antonio "L.A." Reid & Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, and Arista Records. The combined nicknames of the duo's successful...
chief Antonio "L.A." Reid. L.A. Reid replaced Jones with Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas
Rozonda Thomas
Rozonda Ocelean Thomas , best known by her stage name Chilli, is a four-time Grammy Award–winning American R&B singer and actress who rose to fame as one third of the successful R&B/Hip-Hop/Pop girl group TLC.-Early life:...
, and the group was signed in 1991 as TLC, which would go on to become one of the most successful girl groups in history and sell 65 million records worldwide.
Television and film
In addition to her work with TLC, Watkins recorded solo singles, including: "Touch Myself" (For the soundtrack of the 1996 film FledFled
Fled is a 1996 action film directed by Kevin Hooks. A remake of the 1958 film The Defiant Ones, the film stars Laurence Fishburne and Stephen Baldwin as a pair of escaped criminals on the run from the police, corrupt officials and the Cuban Mafia....
) and "My Getaway" (for the soundtrack to the 2000 film Rugrats in Paris: The Movie
Rugrats in Paris: The Movie
Rugrats in Paris: The Movie, also known as The Rugrats Movie 2: Rugrats in Paris and Rugrats in Paris: The Movie - Rugrats II, is 2000 American animated film, and the sequel to the 1998 film The Rugrats Movie that follows the continuing adventures of the Rugrats. In the film, Chuckie Finster takes...
.) In addition, she has been a featured vocalist on such songs as: "Ghetto Love" with Da Brat
Da Brat
Shawntae Harris , better known as Da Brat, is an American rapper and actress. Her debut album, Funkdafied, sold one million copies, making her the first female rapper to have a platinum-selling album.-Early life:...
, "Changes" with Society of Soul
Society of Soul
Society of Soul was a five-member R&B group with the members of Organized Noize, as well as Espraronza and Big Rube....
, "He Say She Say" with Keith Sweat
Keith Sweat
Keith Sweat is an American R&B/soul, singer-songwriter, record producer, radio personality and a major contributor to the new jack swing era.-Music career:...
, "Different Times" with Raphael Saadiq
Raphael Saadiq
Raphael Saadiq is an American singer, songwriter and record producer. Saadiq has been a standard bearer for "old school" R&B since his early days as a member of the multiplatinum group Tony! Toni! Toné! He also produced songs of such artists as TLC, Joss Stone, D'Angelo, Mary J...
and "Be Somebody" with Paula Cole
Paula Cole
Paula Cole is an American singer/songwriter. Her single "Where Have All the Cowboys Gone" reached the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 in 1997, and the following year she won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist.-Early life:...
. Watkins has appeared on a song by her TLC bandmate Rozonda Thomas, entitled "Gameproof".
Watkins has worked as an actress, appearing in Hype Williams
Hype Williams
Harold "Hype" Williams , previously known as HYPE, is an American music video and film director of African-American and Honduran descent. His nickname "Hype" comes from his hyperactive nature as a child....
' 1998 film Belly
Belly (film)
Belly is a 1998 film, the film directorial debut of music video director Hype Williams. Filmed in New York City as an urban drama, the film stars rappers DMX and Nas, alongside with Taral Hicks, Method Man dancehall artist Louie Rankin, R&B singer T-Boz...
. Along with her TLC bandmates, she also appeared in an episode of Living Single
Living Single
Living Single is an American television sitcom which aired for five seasons on the Fox network from August 29, 1993 to January 1, 1998. The show centered on the lives of six friends who share personal and professional experiences while living in a Brooklyn brownstone.Throughout its run, Living...
. Watkins also served as one of the executive producers for the 2006 movie ATL
ATL (film)
ATL is a 2006 American drama film, and the feature film directorial debut of music video director Chris Robinson. The screenplay was written by Tina Gordon Chism from an original story by Antwone Fisher, and is loosely based on the experiences of the film's producers Dallas Austin and Tionne...
featuring the rapper, T.I.
T.I.
Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr. , better known by his stage name T.I., is an American rap artist, film and music producer, actor and author. He is also the founder and co-chief executive officer of Grand Hustle Records....
. She was also featured in the music video for "It's Good" with YoungBloodZ
YoungBloodZ
YoungBloodZ are an American Southern rap duo from Atlanta, Georgia, comprising members J-Bo and Sean P YoungBloodZ are an American Southern rap duo from Atlanta, Georgia, comprising members J-Bo (born Jeffrey Ray Grigsby on October 4, 1977) and Sean P YoungBloodZ are an American Southern rap duo...
, and appeared on The Real Housewives of Atlanta
The Real Housewives of Atlanta
The Real Housewives of Atlanta is an American reality television series on the Bravo cable network that premiered in the fall of 2008. Following the format of its predecessors , in 2009 the Atlanta series was not only the highest rated show of the The Real Housewives of... franchise, it was the...
as a friend of Kandi Burruss
Kandi Burruss
Kandi Burruss , better known by her stage names Kandi or Kandi Girl, is an American R&B singer-songwriter and record producer. She is also a former member of the group Xscape from Atlanta.-Early life:...
. T-Boz was a contestant in The Celebrity Apprentice
The Apprentice (U.S. Season 8)
The Celebrity Apprentice 2 is the eighth installment of the United States version of the reality television series, The Apprentice. It premiered on March 1, 2009. The Celebrity Apprentice 2 aired for two hours on Sundays at 9:00 Eastern time...
, where she was fired for volunteering to come back into the boardroom. After referencing a previous contestant who was fired from the show for the same action, Donald Trump told her, "Never volunteer for an execution."
Other work
Watkins published a book of semi-autobiographical poetry called Thoughts on November 3, 1999. In 2005, Watkins and stylist Tara Brivic Rowntree opened a children's boutique called Chase's Closet (named after her daughter).Personal life
Initially withholding details of her ailment from others, Watkins went public with the disease in 1996, and later became one of the spokespeople for Sickle Cell Disease Association of America. In 2002, she was hospitalized for four months, due to a flare-up of sickle-cell anemia. She has stated that her faith in God and her optimism has helped her stay free from the more serious effects of sickle cell disease.In August 2000, Watkins married rapper Mack 10
Mack 10
Dedrick Rolison, , better known by his stage name Mack 10 is an American rapper and actor. He was a member of hip hop trio Westside Connection, along with Ice Cube and WC...
. The couple's daughter, Chase Anela Rolison, was born on October 20, 2000. In June 2004, she filed for divorce and requested a restraining order
Restraining order
A restraining order or order of protection is a form of legal injunction that requires a party to do, or to refrain from doing, certain acts. A party that refuses to comply with an order faces criminal or civil penalties and may have to pay damages or accept sanctions...
against Mack 10. Following the split, Watkins entered a three year relationship with Takeo Spikes
Takeo Spikes
Takeo Gerard Spikes is an American football linebacker for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals 13th overall in the 1998 NFL Draft...
of the San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
In October 2009, Watkins revealed on CBS' The Early Show
The Early Show
The Early Show is an American television morning news talk show broadcast by CBS from New York City. The program airs live from 7 to 9 a.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday; most affiliates in the Central, Mountain, and Pacific time zones air the show on tape-delay from 7 to 9 a.m. local time. ...
and in People
People
People is a plurality of human beings or other beings possessing enough qualities constituting personhood. It has two usages:* as the plural of person or a group of people People is a plurality of human beings or other beings possessing enough qualities constituting personhood. It has two usages:*...
magazine that she had secretly battled a potentially fatal brain tumor for three years. In March 2006, she was diagnosed as having a strawberry-size acoustic neuroma
Acoustic neuroma
A vestibular schwannoma, often called an acoustic neuroma, is a benign primary intracranial tumor of the myelin-forming cells of the vestibulocochlear nerve . The term "vestibular schwannoma" involves the vestibular portion of the 8th cranial nerve and arises from Schwann cells, which are...
on her vestibular nerve
Vestibular nerve
The vestibular nerve is one of the two branches of the Vestibulocochlear nerve . It goes to the semicircular canals via the vestibular ganglion...
, which affected her balance, hearing, sight, and facial movement. Many physicians refused to remove the tumor due to her sickle-cell-related complications, leaving her alternatives grim; ultimately she underwent surgery at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles.
Solo singles
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
US R&B/Hip-Hop |
UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
NZ | |||
| 1996 | "Touch Myself" | 40 | 23 | 36 | 33 | Fled Fled (soundtrack) Fled is the soundtrack to the 1996 action film, Fled. It was released on July 15, 1996 through Rowdy Records and cosisted mainly of hip hop and R&B music... soundtrack |
| 2000 | "My Getaway My Getaway "My Getaway" is a song by Tionne Watkins and is from the Rugrats in Paris Movie Soundtrack. The song came in at number 8 on the UK Top 40. Watkins said, "I'm a big fan of Tommy and Chuckie and the rest of the Rugrats, and I'm honored to be on this soundtrack"... " |
- | 14 | 44 | - | Rugrats in Paris: The Movie Rugrats in Paris: The Movie Rugrats in Paris: The Movie, also known as The Rugrats Movie 2: Rugrats in Paris and Rugrats in Paris: The Movie - Rugrats II, is 2000 American animated film, and the sequel to the 1998 film The Rugrats Movie that follows the continuing adventures of the Rugrats. In the film, Chuckie Finster takes... Soundtrack |
Featured singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
US R&B/Hip-Hop |
UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
|||
| 1991 | "Word to the Badd!!" (Jermaine Jackson Jermaine Jackson Jermaine La Jaune Jackson is an American singer, bassist, composer, a member of The Jackson 5, older brother of American pop stars Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson and occasional film director... featuring T-Boz) |
78 | 88 | - | You Said You Said You Said is an album by Jermaine Jackson. It was his debut and only album for LaFace Records. The entire album was produced by The LaFace Family You Said is an album by Jermaine Jackson. It was his debut and only album for LaFace Records. The entire album was produced by The LaFace Family You Said... |
| 1996 | "Touch Myself" (Remix) (T-Boz featuring Richie Rich) | - | - | - | Seasoned Veteran Seasoned Veteran Seasoned Veteran is the third studio album by American rapper Richie Rich. It was released November 5, 1996 on Def Jam Recordings, and to date is the only major label release for the artist. The album was produced by Ali Malik, DJ Daryl, Doug Rasheed, Jermaine Dupri, Lev Berlak, Mike Mosley, Richie... |
| "Ghetto Love Ghetto Love (Da Brat song) "Ghetto Love" is the second single released from Da Brat's second studio album, Anuthatantrum.-Background:Released in early 1997, "Ghetto Love" was Da Brat's second and final single from Anuthatantrum after the gold-selling "Sittin' on Top of the World". The song became Da Brat's second biggest... " (Da Brat Da Brat Shawntae Harris , better known as Da Brat, is an American rapper and actress. Her debut album, Funkdafied, sold one million copies, making her the first female rapper to have a platinum-selling album.-Early life:... featuring T-Boz) |
18 | 16 | - | Anuthatantrum Anuthatantrum Anuthatantrum is a rap album by Da Brat. It was released in 1996 and went Gold in 1997. A debut single culled from the album was "Ghetto Love", which featured TLC member Tionne Watkins and peaked at #16 on the Billboard Hot 100... |
|
| 1999 | "Be Somebody" (Paula Cole Paula Cole Paula Cole is an American singer/songwriter. Her single "Where Have All the Cowboys Gone" reached the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 in 1997, and the following year she won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist.-Early life:... featuring T-Boz) |
- | - | - | Amen Amen (Paula Cole album) Amen is Paula Cole's third studio album. It is officially credited to "The Paula Cole Band." The album was quite a departure stylistically from the prior album This Fire and was met with mixed reviews. Perhaps due to poor promotion the album failed to match the success of "This Fire", only selling... |
| 2000 | "Tight To Def" (Mack 10 Mack 10 Dedrick Rolison, , better known by his stage name Mack 10 is an American rapper and actor. He was a member of hip hop trio Westside Connection, along with Ice Cube and WC... with T-Boz) |
- | - | - | The Paper Route The Paper Route Paper Route is rapper Mack 10's fourth studio album. It features Ice Cube, WC, T-Boz, Xzibit, Skoop Delania, Big Gipp, and others.- Track listing :... |
| 2002 | "Different Times" (Raphael Saadiq Raphael Saadiq Raphael Saadiq is an American singer, songwriter and record producer. Saadiq has been a standard bearer for "old school" R&B since his early days as a member of the multiplatinum group Tony! Toni! Toné! He also produced songs of such artists as TLC, Joss Stone, D'Angelo, Mary J... feat. T-Boz of TLC) |
- | - | - | Instant Vintage Instant Vintage Instant Vintage is the debut solo album of American R&B and neo soul musician Raphael Saadiq. It serves as Saadiq's first full-length solo album after spending much of his post-Tony! Toni! Toné! career as session player and producer. Primarily a neo soul album, it also exhibits musical styles such... |
| 2005 | "It's Good" (YoungBloodZ YoungBloodZ YoungBloodZ are an American Southern rap duo from Atlanta, Georgia, comprising members J-Bo and Sean P YoungBloodZ are an American Southern rap duo from Atlanta, Georgia, comprising members J-Bo (born Jeffrey Ray Grigsby on October 4, 1977) and Sean P YoungBloodZ are an American Southern rap duo... featuring T-Boz) |
- | - | - | Ev'rybody Know Me Ev'rybody Know Me Ev'rybody Know Me is the third studio album by southern rap duo YoungBloodZ. It was released on December 13, 2005. "Presidential" was the first single and "Chop Chop" was the second single.-Track listing:# "Intro" — 1:01... |
| 2009 | "Someday" (DJ Deckstream with T-Boz) | - | - | 7 | Sound Tracks 2 |