R&B group with the #1 hit “Waterfalls” - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

This clue is a classic piece of 1990s music trivia. It directly asks for the name of the musical group behind a specific, chart-topping song. For solvers familiar with the pop and R&B music of that era, this is often a quick and satisfying fill.

Clue Analysis

The clue, "R&B group with the #1 hit 'Waterfalls'", is a straightforward knowledge-based question. Let's break it down:

• "R&B group": This specifies the genre (Rhythm and Blues) and the type of musical act (a group, not a solo artist).
• "with the #1 hit 'Waterfalls'": This pinpoints the exact song that will lead you to the answer. "Waterfalls" was a massive, culturally significant hit, making it a reliable reference point.

The answer will be the name of this group, which happens to be a three-letter acronym.

Thinking Approaches

For a direct trivia clue like this, the primary solving method is memory recall. The song title "Waterfalls" is often enough to trigger the name of the group for many people.

If the answer doesn't come to you immediately, here are a few strategies:

1. Era Association: Think about the mid-1990s. What were the dominant sounds on the radio? Who were the major female R&B artists and groups? This can help narrow the field.
2. Use the Crossings: The answer is short (three letters). Even getting one or two crossing letters from other clues can be enough to jog your memory or confirm your guess. For instance, if you have _L_, the answer might click into place.
3. Sing It!: Sometimes, humming the tune or recalling the lyrics can help bring the artist's name to the front of your mind. The chorus of "Waterfalls" is particularly memorable.

Background Context

The group in question is TLC, an American girl group whose original line-up consisted of Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas. They are one of the best-selling female groups of all time.

"Waterfalls" was released in 1995 as the third single from their second album, CrazySexyCool. The song was a critical and commercial success, spending seven weeks at number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. It was notable for its socially conscious lyrics, which touched on issues like the illegal drug trade and the HIV/AIDS crisis, topics not commonly found in mainstream pop hits of the time.

Conclusion

This clue is a perfect example of how crossword puzzles tap into our shared cultural knowledge. It's a direct, fair, and fun piece of trivia that rewards solvers who remember the iconic sounds of the 1990s. For those who don't, the short length of the answer makes it very gettable with the help of a few crossing entries.

Hints

1. Hint 1: This group was a highly influential all-female trio popular in the 1990s.
2. Hint 2: Their name is an acronym formed from the members' nicknames.
3. Hint 3: Besides “Waterfalls,” their other major hits include “Creep” and “No Scrubs.”
4. Hint 4: The group's members were Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas.

The answer is TLC.