Howard Alumni Honor TLC's Legacy in 'CrazySexyCool' Musical
Howard University alumni are celebrating TLC's iconic legacy through a new stage musical called CrazySexyCool. Here's what we know.
In brief
Howard University alumni are paying tribute to TLC — one of the best-selling female groups in music history — through a stage musical called 'CrazySexyCool.' The production, reported by The Dig at Howard University, reflects both the group's enduring cultural legacy and the creative ambition of the Bison community working well beyond the Yard.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Howard University alumni are involved in a stage musical honoring TLC titled CrazySexyCool.
The production celebrates the iconic legacy of TLC, one of the most influential R&B and hip-hop soul groups in music history.
The project connects Howard's creative alumni network to a landmark moment in Black popular culture.
Howard Bison Bring TLC's Story to the Stage
TLC — the Atlanta-based trio of Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas — defined a generation of Black music, fashion, and self-expression across the 1990s. Their 1994 album CrazySexyCool remains one of the best-selling records in American history, and the group's influence on R&B, hip-hop soul, and popular culture has never faded.
Now, Howard University alumni are channeling that legacy into a full stage musical bearing the album's iconic name. According to The Dig, Howard's official campus publication, alumni connected to the production are honoring TLC's story and cultural footprint through live theatrical performance — a medium that has increasingly become a vehicle for celebrating Black music history, following the Broadway success of productions like Ain't Too Proud and MJ the Musical.
For Howard, a university with deep roots in the performing arts — home to the Department of Theatre Arts in the College of Arts and Sciences — this kind of alumni-driven creative work represents exactly the tradition the institution has long cultivated. From Georgia Avenue to Broadway and beyond, Bison have consistently shaped American artistic culture.
TLC's relevance has not dimmed. The group continues to tour, and renewed interest in 1990s R&B — driven by streaming nostalgia, anniversary reissues, and documentary coverage — has kept their catalog firmly in cultural conversation. A stage musical format allows the CrazySexyCool story to reach new audiences, including younger generations who know the music but not the full arc of the group's journey.
The involvement of Howard alumni in this production is consistent with a broader trend of HBCU graduates leading major creative and entertainment projects. Howard, in particular, has produced a roster of alumni who work across film, television, theater, and music — from Taraji P. Henson and Chadwick Boseman to a generation of behind-the-scenes producers, writers, and directors reshaping the industry.
For more on Howard's creative alumni network and HBCU culture in Washington, visit the WDCM Howard & HBCU Guide.
Why This Matters in Washington
Washington, DC is not just a political capital — it is an HBCU capital, anchored by Howard University in the LeDroit Park and Petworth corridors. When Howard alumni make national cultural moves, they carry the District's identity with them. A musical honoring TLC, built in part by Bison, is a reminder that the most enduring power Washington exports isn't always policy — sometimes it's art. Follow WDCM's ongoing coverage of the HBCU community and DC culture for more.
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FAQ: Howard Alumni and the CrazySexyCool Musical
What is the CrazySexyCool musical?
CrazySexyCool is a stage musical honoring the legacy of R&B group TLC, with Howard University alumni involved in the production, according to The Dig at Howard University.
Who is TLC?
TLC is the iconic R&B and hip-hop soul trio consisting of T-Boz, Left Eye, and Chilli, best known for their landmark 1994 album CrazySexyCool and hits including "Waterfalls" and "Creep."
What is Howard University's connection to the production?
According to The Dig, Howard University alumni are honoring TLC's legacy through the CrazySexyCool musical. Specific alumni names and roles were not detailed in the source report.
Why is Howard University significant in the performing arts?
Howard University has a long tradition in the performing arts, including a dedicated Department of Theatre Arts, and has produced numerous celebrated alumni in film, television, theater, and music.
Where can I read the original story?
The original report was published by The Dig, Howard University's official campus news publication.
The bottom line: Howard University alumni are channeling TLC's generational cultural legacy into a live stage musical called CrazySexyCool — proof that the Bison creative network continues to shape American culture far beyond the District. As HBCU-rooted storytelling finds more space on national stages, watch this production as a signal of what that community is building next.
Reporting drawn from: The Dig — Howard University (thedig.howard.edu). Washington DC Magazine provides original analysis, DC-specific context, and editorial perspective beyond the source material.This article was produced with AI assistance and reviewed by WDCM editorial staff. Washington DC Magazine is committed to accuracy, transparency, and editorial integrity. If you believe any information in this article requires correction, please contact editor@washingtondcmagazine.com.
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CAN I KICK IT? screens New Jack City at the Sylvan Theater, Washington Monument, on Aug. 22. (Courtesy SHAOLIN JAZZ)
The live-cinema series CAN I KICK IT? returns to the National Mall this month with what its producers are calling the "Gangsters on the Mall" chapter of their free outdoor summer run. On Saturday, August 22, the SHAOLIN JAZZ production brings the 1991 crime classic New Jack City to the Sylvan Theater at the Washington Monument for a night of film, music, and community under the DC summer sky.
What sets the event apart is the sound. As the film plays, DJ 2-Tone Jones builds an original score in real time, reimagining one of the most iconic crime movies of the ’90s through hip-hop, soul, funk, and more. It is less a movie screening than a live performance built around the film.
The details:
Film: New Jack City (1991), with a live soundtrack by DJ 2-Tone Jones
When: Saturday, August 22 — seating opens at 7:30 p.m. (bring lawn chairs and blankets); film begins at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Sylvan Theater at the Washington Monument, Independence Ave SW & 15th St NW
A parking note from the organizers: expect road closures and restricted parking east of 14th Street NW due to a separate race event in the District. Roads west of 14th Street NW will be accessible and available for parking.
New Jack City is the second of three screenings in this year’s free CAN I KICK IT? outdoor series, which opened with Black Panther at Skyland Town Center and concludes with Scarface at the Lincoln Memorial on September 5. Produced by the Washington, DC-based multimedia arts company SHAOLIN JAZZ, the series has presented more than 150 live cinematic experiences at venues across the country, from Lincoln Center to SXSW.
"I wanted to be able to tell good stories with substance and remove the ‘ego’ out of the art," said Andrew Huang during a recent interview. Now, he’s building his career at the intersection of discipline, creativity and innovation.
Andrew Huang, founder of New Place Studios. (Courtesy photo)
As a Chinese American, Huang was reared with a deep respect for hard work, consistency and excellence. He describes his childhood as "not so affluent" and later attended college to hone his passion for videography. "In college I tried to do something I loved, which was video, but along the way I knew that I had to find a job. And so I thought, ‘what was the low hanging fruit to get to that stable 9 to 5 job?,’" he stated.
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He later described how his upbringing and a mindset of "survival" led him toward a corporate career. However, his desire for balance and authentic storytelling ultimately pushed him to take the entrepreneurial leap.
"I founded a new place where you can create video and film with ‘substance and style,’" said Huang. His desire for work-life balance and passion for storytelling naturally evolved into a small business based in Virginia. With the launch of New Place Studios, the entrepreneur quickly found himself reconnecting with the values that would become the foundation of everything he creates behind the camera.
Huang said being a business owner has allowed him to first embrace himself. While others may see video as simply capturing moments, he sees it as a way to preserve stories that inspire, connect and leave a lasting imprint.
By combining cinematic visuals with cutting-edge production techniques and a keen understanding of branding, Huang helps organizations and individuals communicate their vision with purpose. He said understanding a client’s "why" serves as the compass for delivering the services they need.
One benefit of working with a small business, he said, is that clients get to see the production process unfold through a micro lens while working with the same faces throughout the entire project. "The work feels personal," said Huang.
Huang does not regret leaving behind the flash-over-substance mentality and corporate hustle culture. That does not mean the Asian American entrepreneur has been without challenges in the industry. "It’s relatively hard to find other Asian American creatives or people who would want to work with me in the DMV," said Huang.
He identifies the industry culture in which everyone is trying to blend in, creatives may fear displaying their Asian identity and some feel pressure to adopt an American corporate persona. He also points to what he describes as a level of gatekeeping within the industry. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2024 statistics, Asian American and Pacific Islander entrepreneurs own more than 3 million businesses and employ 5.2 million people in the United States.
After tapping into organizations such as SCORE, which offers free small business mentorship, New Place Studios has become a trusted creative partner throughout the DMV (Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia). The company produces a range of creative services, including commercials, corporate branding, documentaries, film, 2D animation, motion graphics and photography.
For Huang, entrepreneurship has become more than a departure from corporate life. It has given him the freedom to create with intention, build meaningful connections and tell stories that go beyond the surface.
The 2026 CAN I KICK IT? outdoor series. Poster courtesy of SHAOLIN JAZZ.
For three Saturdays this summer, some of Washington’s most familiar public spaces will do something they rarely do after dark: fill up with blankets, lawn chairs, and the sound of a movie being scored live, in real time. CAN I KICK IT?, the traveling “live cinema” series produced by the DC-based multimedia arts company SHAOLIN JAZZ, is bringing a free outdoor run to the city — pairing three era-defining films with an original soundtrack performed on the spot by DJ 2-Tone Jones.
The premise is what sets it apart from a normal screening in the park. Rather than simply pressing play, 2-Tone Jones builds a score as the film unfolds, pulling from hip-hop, soul, funk, jazz, rock, electronic music, and sounds from around the world. The result, the organizers say, is less a movie night than a one-time performance — the same film you know, wired to a soundtrack you have never heard and will not hear again. Guest DJs warm up the crowd starting at 7:30 PM before each 8:30 PM screening.
The 2026 outdoor schedule
All three events are free and open to the public.
Saturday, August 8 — Black Panther at Skyland Town Center. A pop-up marketplace and community activities kick off the evening; guest DJs at 7:30 PM, film at 8:30 PM. Marvel’s superhero epic gets a one-night-only live score in Southeast DC.
Saturday, August 22 — New Jack City at the Sylvan Theater, Washington Monument. Seating begins at 7:30 PM; the film starts at 8:30 PM. The 1991 crime drama plays out at the foot of one of the country’s most recognizable landmarks.
Saturday, September 5 — Scarface at the Lincoln Memorial. Seating at 7:30 PM; film at 8:30 PM. The series closes with Brian De Palma’s crime saga against the backdrop of the Memorial, scored live from start to finish.
First up: Black Panther at Skyland Town Center on August 8. Poster courtesy of SHAOLIN JAZZ.
A DC company with a national footprint
SHAOLIN JAZZ describes itself as a Washington-based arts company working at the intersection of music, film, art, and culture, and CAN I KICK IT? is its signature production. According to the organizers, the series has staged more than 150 live cinematic experiences around the country — at performing arts centers, museums, festivals, and cultural institutions including Lincoln Center in New York, SXSW, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Republic Square in Austin, the Tacoma Armory, and The Cary Theater.
“CAN I KICK IT? has always been about creating a shared experience,” said Gerald Watson, co-founder of SHAOLIN JAZZ. “When you combine iconic films with live music in public spaces, something special happens. People aren’t just watching a movie — they’re experiencing it together. That’s what makes these nights so memorable.”
Cinema as a community event
The DC run lands as cities across the country look for new ways to activate public space through arts and culture — and this series is a straightforward pitch for how to do it: take a landmark everyone already knows, add a film everyone has an opinion about, and let a live soundtrack turn the evening into something neighbors experience shoulder to shoulder. Families, film buffs, and music fans are all invited, and admission won’t cost a thing.
The CAN I KICK IT? outdoor series runs August 8, August 22, and September 5. All events are free; check SHAOLIN JAZZ (shaolinjazz.com) for the latest details and any weather updates before heading out.
