Editing Lisa Lopes (section)

=== 1998–2002: Solo career ===
In 1998, Lopes hosted the short-lived MTV series ''[[The Cut (1997–99 U.S. TV series)|The Cut]]'', in which a list of aspiring pop stars, rappers, and rock bands competed against each other in front of judges. The show's winner, which ended up being a male-female rap duo named Silky, was promised a record deal and funding to produce a music video, which would then enter [[MTV]]'s [[heavy rotation]]. A then-unknown [[Anastacia]] finished in third place, but ended up securing a [[Recording contract|record deal]] after Lopes and the show's three judges were impressed by her performance.<ref>{{cite news|last=Barrell|first=Tony|date=October 23, 2005|title= The trials of Anastacia|newspaper= The Sunday Times|url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/style/article152070.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527214653/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/style/article152070.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 27, 2014}}</ref>

Lopes created Left Eye Productions to discover new talent.<ref name=EbonyAug2002/> She mentored the R&B trio [[Blaque]], and helped them secure a record deal with [[Columbia Records]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Hay|first1=Carla|title=Blaque Wants More Than Just TLC|magazine=Billboard|date=April 17, 1999|volume=111|issue=16|page=18|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Pg0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA18|access-date=October 4, 2014|publisher=[[Nielsen Business Media, Inc.]]|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> Their [[Blaque (album)|self-titled debut album]] was executive-produced by Lopes, who also made a cameo appearance in their music video "[[808 (Blaque song)|808]]" and also rapped in their second music video "[[I Do (Blaque song)|I Do]]". Lopes was also developing and promoting another new band called Egypt.<ref name=EbonyAug2002>{{cite magazine|title=Remembering Lisa (Left Eye) Lopes|magazine=[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]]|date=August 2002|volume=57|issue=10|page=136|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pdUDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA136|access-date=October 4, 2014|publisher=Johnson Publishing Company|issn=0012-9011}}</ref> They worked with Lopes on her second album under her new nickname, '''N.I.N.A.''', meaning New Identity Not Applicable.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,234794,00.html|title=Waterfalls of Tears|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|last1=Cruz|first1=Clarissa|last2=Sinclair|first2=Tom|date=May 2, 2002|access-date=July 24, 2008|archive-date=October 5, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005060859/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,234794,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> She was also featured on Method Mans second album ''Judgement Day'' on the song "Cradle Rock".

In 2000, Lopes became a featured rapper on several singles, including [[Spice Girls]] [[Melanie C]]'s "[[Never Be the Same Again]]", which topped the charts in 35 countries, including the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite news|last=Youngs|first=Ian|title=Left Eye's sideways look at life|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1952726.stm|access-date=February 8, 2014|newspaper=[[BBC News]]|date=April 26, 2002}}</ref> She was also featured on "[[U Know What's Up]]", the first single from [[Donell Jones]]' second album, ''[[Where I Wanna Be (Donell Jones album)|Where I Wanna Be]]'',<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Donell Jones Thrills Fans With New Album, 'Life Goes On'|magazine=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]|date=July 1, 2002|volume=102|issue=2|page=40|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f7UDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA40|access-date=October 4, 2014|publisher=[[Johnson Publishing Company]]|issn=0021-5996}}</ref> and she rapped a verse in "[[No Strings Attached (NSYNC album)|Space Cowboy]]" with [[NSYNC]] on their 2000 album, ''[[No Strings Attached (NSYNC album)|No Strings Attached]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Paoletta|first1=Michael|title=Reviews & Previews|magazine=Billboard|date=March 25, 2000|volume=112|issue=13|page=23|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sg4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA23|access-date=October 4, 2014|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> On October 4, 2000, Lopes co-hosted the UK's [[MOBO Awards]] with [[Trevor Nelson]], where she also performed "U Know What's Up" with Jones.<ref>{{cite news|title=Craig David All Over Your MOBOs|url=https://www.nme.com/news/craig-david/4650|access-date=October 5, 2014|work=[[NME]]|date=October 5, 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=2000 MOBO Awards|url=http://mobo.com/history/2000|publisher=[[MOBO Awards]]|access-date=October 5, 2014}}</ref> She also collaborated on "Gimme Some" by [[Toni Braxton]] for her 2000 album ''[[The Heat (Toni Braxton album)|The Heat]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Huxley |first1=Martin |title=Toni Braxton Takes Charge |url=https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/20000601toni_braxton_toni_braxton_takes_charge |access-date=August 26, 2019 |publisher=[[Broadcast Music, Inc.|BMI]] |date=May 31, 2000}}</ref> She had previously featured on [[Keith Sweat]]'s song "How Do You Like It?".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Connie |title=(**) KEITH SWEAT, "Get Up on It"; Elektra |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-06-26-ca-8559-story.html |access-date=August 26, 2019 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 26, 1994}}</ref> In 2001, she appeared in a commercial for the fashion brand [[Gap Inc.|Gap]]. In July 2001, Lopes appeared on the singers' edition of ''[[Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (U.S. game show)|Who Wants to Be a Millionaire]]'' along with [[Joey McIntyre]], [[Tyrese Gibson|Tyrese]], [[Nick Lachey]], and [[Lee Ann Womack]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Who Knows?|url=http://people.com/archive/who-knows-vol-56-no-5/|access-date=January 12, 2017|newspaper=People|date=July 30, 2001}}</ref> She dropped the $125,000 question and won $32,000 for her charity.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5omsShWjZ0Y| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/5omsShWjZ0Y| archive-date=2021-10-30|title=Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Top of the Charts edition (music edition)|website=[[YouTube]]| date=June 11, 2012|access-date=January 27, 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> After her death in 2002, the episode she appeared in was shown in dedication to her.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}}

In 2008, Lopes' family opened UNI Studios, which she had created for the purpose of recording solo projects, to the public.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unimusicstudios.com/about.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080606235314/http://www.unimusicstudios.com/about.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 6, 2008 |title=About Uni Studios |publisher=unimusicstudios.com |access-date=July 24, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/left-eyes-uni-studios-and-emancipated-talent-presenta-summer-2008-star-showcase-for-unsigned-talent-51470.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616172513/http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/left-eyes-uni-studios-and-emancipated-talent-presenta-summer-2008-star-showcase-for-unsigned-talent-51470.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 16, 2008 |title=Left Eye's Uni Studio's and Emancipated Talent Present a "Summer 2008 Star Showcase" for Unsigned Talent |date=May 29, 2008 |publisher=24-7pressrelease.com |access-date=July 24, 2008 }}</ref> Her brother Ronald is the general manager of the studio. Lopes had a dream of making new artists able to record music at a low cost, in a high-end studio at her house. Her family continues to operate it and fill it with new equipment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bet.com/photo-gallery/ejulhb/remembering-lisa-left-eye-lopes/egg46u|title=Remembering Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes|website=BET}}</ref>

==== ''Supernova'' ====
Lopes spent much of her free time after the conclusion of TLC's first headlining tour, the [[FanMail Tour]], recording her debut solo album, ''[[Supernova (Lisa Lopes album)|Supernova]]''. It includes a song titled "A New Star is Born", which is dedicated to her late father. She told MTV News:

{{blockquote|That track is dedicated to all those that have loved ones that have passed away. It's saying that there is no such thing as death. We can call it transforming for a lack of better words, but as scientists would say, 'Every atom that was once a star is now in you.' It's in your body. So, in the song I pretty much go along with that idea. ... I don't care what happens or what people think about death, it doesn't matter. We all share the same space.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>}}

Other tracks covered other personal issues, including her tumultuous relationship with Rison. Among the album's 13 tracks was also a posthumous duet with [[Tupac Shakur]] that was assembled from the large cache of unreleased recordings done prior to his murder in 1996. Initially scheduled for release on a date to coincide with the 11th anniversary of her grandfather's death, [[Arista Records]] decided to delay and then cancel the American release.<ref name=NinaMTV>{{cite news|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|title=Suge Knight Plans To Release Left Eye's 'N.I.N.A.' LP|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1457328/left-eyes-second-solo-lp-due.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106051802/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1457328/left-eyes-second-solo-lp-due.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 6, 2011|access-date=March 8, 2014|newspaper=MTV News|date=September 6, 2002}}</ref> The album was eventually released in August 2001 in different foreign countries. The Japanese import includes a bonus track called "Friends", which would later be sampled for "Give It to Me While It's Hot" on TLC's fourth album ''[[3D (TLC album)|3D]]''.

==== N.I.N.A. ====
After numerous talks with [[Death Row Records]] CEO [[Suge Knight]], Lopes severed her solo deal with Arista (despite remaining signed to the label as a member of TLC) and signed with Knight's Death Row Records in January 2002, intending to record a second solo album under the pseudonym "N.I.N.A." (New Identity Not Applicable). She had discussions about recording with [[David Bowie]] for the project,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1453611/lisa-left-eye-lopes-killed-car-accident.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124223034/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1453611/lisa-left-eye-lopes-killed-car-accident.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 24, 2011|title=Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes Killed in Car Accident|last1=Reid|first1=Shaheem|date=April 26, 2002|newspaper=MTV News|access-date=March 8, 2014|last2=Vineyard|first2=Jennifer}}</ref> whom she was also trying to get involved with the fourth TLC album. The project was also planned to include collaborations with [[Ray J]] along with close friend [[Missy Elliott]].<ref name="SignsSuge2">{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1451634/left-eye-signs-with-suge-knight.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106051718/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1451634/left-eye-signs-with-suge-knight.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 6, 2011|title=Left Eye Signs With Suge Knight's Tha Row|last1=Moss|first1=Corey|date=January 3, 2002|newspaper=MTV News|access-date=March 8, 2014|last2=Johnson|first2=Tina}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1458608/kurupt-talks-lisa-lopes-release.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210043802/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1458608/kurupt-talks-lisa-lopes-release.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 10, 2012|title=Kurupt Hits Big Screen, Talks Lisa Lopes Album, Tha Row|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|date=November 11, 2002|work=MTV|access-date=June 26, 2013}}</ref> After Lopes' death in April 2002, Death Row Records still had plans to complete and release the album (unfinished at the time of Lopes' death<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.capitalxtra.com/features/lists/unreleased-hip-hop-albums/lisa-left-eye-lopes-nina/|title=Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes - 'N.I.N.A'|work=Capital XTRA|access-date=June 5, 2018|language=en|archive-date=June 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614171517/http://www.capitalxtra.com/features/lists/unreleased-hip-hop-albums/lisa-left-eye-lopes-nina/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.laweekly.com/music/left-eye-was-making-an-album-for-death-row-when-she-died-4168662|title=Left Eye Was Making an Album For Death Row When She Died|last=Paine|first=Jake|date=November 5, 2013|work=L.A. Weekly|access-date=June 5, 2018}}</ref>) in October 2002, but the album was cancelled for unknown reasons. Several tracks from the album were leaked online featuring artists from Tha Row Records. Lopes's unreleased songs were also sampled by TLC for their fourth album ''[[3D (TLC album)|3D]]'' after she died. Another track, "Too Street 4 T.V" (featuring [[Danny Boy (singer)|Danny Boy]]), was released on the [[Dysfunktional Family (soundtrack)|soundtrack]] to the 2003 film ''[[Dysfunktional Family]]''.