6 Lesons TLC's Music Taught Us About Life

Friday marks the 12th anniversary of the death of Lisa Lopes, better known as “Left Eye”, who died in a car accident in 2002 while vacationing in Honduras. She was only 30 years old.

Though she passed at an early age she made history and contributed to the idea of girl power with her R&B group TLC.

Singers Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas, Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins and singer/rapper, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes promoted sexual health and female empowerment. Left Eye’s lyrics were often the most poignant and confrontational that let their young listeners know that when it came to sex they had rights, power and options.

Here are 5 lessons the group, including member “Left Eye,” left us with.

1. The importance of openly talking about sex.

Baby Baby Baby: “Ain’t got no time for the part-time lovin, I got so much love in me. I gotta be loved, and that’s O.K. Cause if you’re gonna get me off, you got to love me deep.”

2. That women have the right to ask for it when they want it.

Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Beg: “Screamin’ loud and holdin’ sheets, scared that you’ll be called a freak. Gotta let it go while you can. Ain’t 2 proud 2 beg you see, cause my man belongs 2 me.”

3. Women should know their worth (a.k.a.: There are such things as “scrubs” and we don’t want to mess with them)

No Scrubs: “If you don’t have a car and you’re walking, Oh yes son I’m talking to you. If you live at home wit’ your momma, Oh yes son I’m talking to you. If you have a shorty but you don’t show love, Oh yes son I’m talking to you. Wanna get with me with no money, Oh no I don’t want no.”

4. That friendship is important

What About Your Friends: “You see I’ve grown a lot smarter now. Sometimes you have to choose and then you’ll see if your friends is true they’ll be there with you through the thick and thin.”

5. That beauty comes in many forms and it’s what’s inside that counts

Unpretty: “Never insecure until I met you. Now I’m bein’ stupid. I used to be so cute to me, ust a little bit skinny. Why do I look to all these things just to keep you happy? Maybe get rid of you nd then I’ll get back to me.”

6. Life may be challenging, but you’ve got to stay strong

Waterfalls: “Dreams are hopeless aspirations in hopes of comin’ true. Believe in yourself, the rest is up to me and you.”