Unpretty

"Unpretty" is a 1999 single recorded by TLC. Produced by Dallas Austin and co-written by Austin and TLC group member Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins. "Unpretty" was the second single released from FanMail. It became the group's fourth U.S. number one single on the Billboard Hot 100 spending three weeks atop the chart, and their second Billboard number one single in a row from the album, following "No Scrubs". It was also their ninth top 10 single on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was nominated for Song of the Year and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards.

Song Information

"Unpretty" originated from a poem of the same name written by Watkins, which dealt with a woman's struggle with her self-image. The poem also addressed the comparisons many females make between themselves and the sometimes unrealistic concepts of beauty, as it is commonly portrayed in the media. Upon reading the poem, TLC producer Dallas Austin helped Watkins adapt the poem into a song, which TLC recorded as an empowering song for their mostly female fan base to overcome feelings of physical inadequacy.Watkins and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas sing lead on the song, with backing vocals by Watkins and Debra Killings. A remixed version, sampling Dennis Edwards & Siedah Garrett's "Don't Look Any Further", was produced by JayDee of 1208Ent. & "Mad" Mike Lewin. Some versions of the remix...
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