Thoughts

From Publishers Weekly
Sure, maybe Jewel did it firstAa pop star committing her thoughts and poems to audiotape, thus introducing the medium to legions of demographically desirable young fans. But this original tape by "T-Boz" ("T" of the Grammy winning R&B/hip hop vocal group TLC) has the potential to break through to young African-American consumers, demonstrating anew the potential for musicians to embrace spoken audio as a natural, ready-and-waiting creative outlet. Watkins produced and recorded this tape on her own and handed it in as finished product. That air of assurance and artistic autonomy comes across strong in the poems and accompanying music. The Iowa-born singer addresses issues that affect many teens: racism, health, weight, workingAall components of self-image. Her message is one of self-reliance, born out in plainspoken rhyme and culminating in a musical number entitled "Tionne's Song." This makes for an appealing program that speaks directly to fans. Simultaneous release with the Harper Entertainment hardcover. (Nov.) Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From School Library Journal
YA-"T-Boz," the T in TLC, a Grammy Award-winning girl singing group, has written a short book of poems and essays, and the lyrical text and photographs will hit home with a lot of teens. The author covers a whole range of topics such as love, relationships, heartbreak, body image, family, friends, and society. Fans get a rare glimpse of T-Boz's life not as a celebrity but as a caring, courageous, and persevering female who has made it to the top of her profession in spite of many obstacles placed in her path. This book is inspirational, soul-searching, and downright funny at times. It should fly right off the shelves and into the hands of many eager readers. Pair it with Tupac Amaru Shakur's The Rose That Grew from Concrete (MTV, 2000). Rarely will readers meet another celebrity so open, encouraging, and sensitive as Watkins. And, just maybe, teens will be inspired to put their own thoughts on paper.ayo dayo, Chinn Park Regional Library, Prince William, VA Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Eddie Murphy, Actor, Comedian, Producer
"Tionne has been truly blessed. Her unique talent and her ability to succeed and to overcome both personal and professional adversity are unparalleled. God truly blessed her . . . and left that face as evidence of his kiss."


Antonio Reid, CEO, LaFace Records
"T-Boz is a truly gifted artist who has inspired millions of people all over the world. She is a star that shines as brightly as a beautiful summer day, and she is also a friend who brings warmth to the harsh winters of life. Tionne has the wisdom of an elderly scholar and a heart as pure as a newborn child. Thoughts gives one a special bird's-eye view into the mind, heart, and soul of an extraordinary person."


Bill Bellamy, Actor and Comedian
"I am so excited Tionne has taken the time to touch her fans and the youth in this way. It is an incredible opportunity to feel the wealth of her God-given talent. May she continue to blossom as an artist, a writer, and a human being."


Tracey Trench, Producer
"Like Zora Neale Hurston in the Harlem Renaissance, Tionne is brilliant, beautiful, and ahead of her time. When you read Tionne's book, you feel her strong female presence immediately. The greatest thing about this book is that it is empowering to girls--each piece is a call to get up, stand up, and speak your mind. Tionne's writing will be just another part of her legacy as one of the coolest women of her time. And just like her music, Tionne's writing rocks."


Harold "Hype" Williams, Director
"Tionne Watkins is a visionary. Over the years I have watched her become one of the most popular icons in music history. In working with her in film and video, I feel she is one of the best performers I've ever seen. Her written work is inspiring, and should be read by all those looking for the positive in life."


Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, Artist, Songwriter, Producer
"Poetry is still one of the purest and most intimate forms of creative expression. It is like a window to the soul. With poems like 'Unpretty,' Tionne has in fact opened the window to her soul for all the world to see."


Book Description
When TLC was between albums, I had no way to release my creativity. One night, feeling put-out by my boyfriend and wondering about how much women had to go through to make a relationship work, I sat down and started writing poems. "Unpretty" was the first. Up until then, I hadn't realized how badly I needed to release what I was feeling inside. They were my thoughts from the heart, and my art.The poems cover a whole range of topics: Love, relationships, heartbreak, body image, family, society, abortion, and many other things. They each mean alot to me, and I hope they inspire you, give you a different perspective on what's going on around you, or just help you relax. You'll find a little bit of me in these words, and maybe you'll find a little bit of yourself or someone you know.I reached out to my friends, including my fans, while I was putting Thoughts. together and they realty inspired me and helped me figure out which stories to tell. Stories about the important people in my life, like my mom who's always been there for me, my family, my TLC partners Lisa and Rozonda, and those who have all helped me along the way. I've had to deal with some tough stuff, like my relationship with my dad, who left when I was three, my never-ending battle with sickle cell, the bad high school years, my self-image problems, and my fight to survive in this crazy music business.Sharing these stories and poems has helped me face big issues in my life. Maybe they'll help you, too. Or maybe they'll give you a better understanding of who I am as a person. I can only express myself so much through my songs. On my own, though, I can let you into my heart and mind.Thank you for allowing me to share my Thoughts with you.Love, Tionne


From the Author
When TLC was between albums, I had no way to release my creativity. One night, feeling put-out by my boyfriend and wondering about how much women had to go through to make a relationship work, I sat down and started writing poems. "Unpretty" was the first. Up until then, I hadn't realized how badly I needed to release what I was feeling inside. They were my thoughts from the heart, and my art. The poems cover a whole range of topics: Love, relationships, heartbreak, body image, family, society, abortion, and many other things. They each mean a lot to me, and I hope they inspire you, give you a different perspective on what's going on around you, or just help you relax. You'll find a little bit of me in these words, and maybe you'll find a little bit of yourself or someone you know. I reached out to my friends, including my fans, while I was putting Thoughts together and they really inspired me and helped me figure out which stories to tell. Stories about the important people in my life, like my mom who's always been there for me, my family, my TLC partners Lisa and Rozonda, and those who have all helped me along the way. I've had to deal with some tough stuff, like my relationship with my dad, who left when I was three, my never-ending battle with sickle cell, the bad high school years, my self-image problems, and my fight to survive in this crazy music business. Sharing these stories and poems has helped me face big issues in my life. Maybe they'll help you, too. Or maybe they'll give you a better understanding of who I am as a person. I can only express myself so much through my songs. On my own, though, I can let you into my heart and mind. Thank you for allowing me to share my Thoughts with you. Love, Tionne


About the Author
Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins is the Lead singer of the best-selling female group of all time, TLC. With more than 20 million albums sold worldwide, TLC has won numerous awards, including two Grammys, two American Music Awards, two Billboard Music Awards, three MTV Music Video Awards, and the Lady of Soul Entertainer of the Year Award.In addition to her talents as a singer and choreographer, Tionne is a song-writer, producer, and actress, having appeared in Bell and House Party3. As CEO of her own entertainment compa-nies, SHEE Entertainment and Grung Girl Music, Tionne is developing a children's cartoon, "It's a Fly World," with the Jim Henson Company, and a feature film, Jellybeans, with partner Dallas Austin as a producer, writer, and creator. Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Tionne now lives in Atlanta, Georgia.


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Love, Tionne  — Tionne Watkins


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