• Teen People

"I used to be scared to sing," confesses Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas. "I'm still nervous." It took eight years and three albums before the TLC member nailed a lead vocal on the trio's 1999 No.1 hit " No Scrubs." Now, like group mate Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, Chilli's recording a solo CD, helmed by her boyfriend of 10 years, famed TLC producer Dallas Austin. "Dallas sets the tone for TLC - I don't want to mess with that formula," says Chill, relaxing in Dallas's own Darp Studios in Atlanta. (Dallas will likely be involved with TLC's forthcoming album, which is scheduled for a fall release. Left Eye's disc is set to drop in August and Chilli's in early '02.) Although they began work on Chilli's album a year ago, these past few months Chilli and Dallas have stepped up the pace. They spend five full days a week in the studio. Often, they stay past midnight, but no one ever goes hungry: Chilli, 30, regularly brings in her home cooked lasagna, chicken, and desserts. "I'm famous for my sweet potato pie - if you (talk to) Lenny Kravitz, he'll tell you that," she says. "I have to be full because it helps me push my notes out." After chowing down, Chilli cranks up the heat - literally - and kicks out everyone except Dallas. "I'd rather be sweating than cold," she explains. "And I don't want anybody around when I'm trying to get my voice to perfection." So what can Chilli lovers expect from her first solo outing? For starters, plenty of upbeat R&B tunes. "I'm a dancer. I told Dallas I only want three ballads, " she says. Look for the singer's name in the credits: She's co-writing several tracks. Ultimately, though, she puts her faith in Dallas. "He's a genius - and he blushes every time I tell him."

Teen People Magazine Summer 2001 ||

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