Many under 50 know TLC’s songs well enough to hum the melodies and perhaps remember simpler days when everything felt like a waterfall. Today though, we’re focusing on guys who think they’re fly. They’re also known as a busta. 

Listen to “No Scrubs” and read some fun facts about the band. 

The R&B group TLC released several songs during the ’90s. In this last decade of the twentieth century, many of their songs reached the top ten on Billboard’s music charts. The trio performed sold-out shows in venues across the world. They were, in no small feat, R&B recording superstars.

“No Scrubs” was released on February 2, 1999, as part of TLC’s third studio album FanMail. The song reached the top spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 and stayed there for four weeks.

Fun Facts: 

• The trio’s first name was 2nd Nature. The group was renamed after the members—Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas.
• Founding member Crystal Jones was replaced because producers felt she lacked the talent to be a recording star.
• TLC first performed nationally as an opening act for MC Hammer.
• In Billboard’s 1999 year-end Hot 100 Singles Chart, the song ranked second behind Cher’s “Believe.” 
• “No Scrubs” won two Grammys—Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals and Best R&B Song in 1999.
• FanMail was a tribute to the thousands of fan letters they received during an extended break from performing. The album debuted at number one and stayed there for five weeks.
• FanMail sold over 300,000 copies in the first week of release and won a Grammy for Best album of the Year.
• Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes died in a car crash in 2002. On her casket are the lyrics from their song “Waterfalls.”
• After Lisa died, the group decided not to replace her and instead continued as a duo. 
• TLC was inducted into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame in 2022. 

Lyrics 

A scrub is a guy that thinks he’s fly

And is also known as a busta

Always talkin’ about what he wants

And just sits on his broke ass

So no, I don’t want your number

No, I don’t want to give you mine and

No, I don’t want to meet you nowhere

No, I don’t want none of your time and

No, I don’t want no scrub

A scrub is a guy that can’t get no love from me

Hangin’ out the passenger side

Of his best friend’s ride

Trying to holla at me

I don’t want no scrub

A scrub is a guy that can’t get no love from me

Hangin’ out the passenger side

Of his best friend’s ride

Trying to holla at me

Well a scrub checkin’ me

But his game is kinda weak

And I know that he cannot approach me

‘Cause I’m looking like class, and he’s looking like trash

Can’t get wit’ a deadbeat ass

So no, I don’t want your number

No, I don’t want to give you mine and

No, I don’t want to meet you nowhere

No, I don’t want none of your time

No, I don’t want no scrub

A scrub is a guy that can’t get no love from me

Hangin’ out the passenger side

Of his best friend’s ride

Trying to holla at me

I don’t want no scrub

A scrub is a guy that can’t get no love from me

Hangin’ out the passenger side

Of his best friend’s ride

Trying to holla at me

If you don’t have a car and you’re walking

Oh yes son, I’m talking to you

If you live at home with your momma

Oh yes son, (I’m) I’m talking to you (baby)

If you have a shorty that you don’t show love

Oh yes son, I’m talking to you

Wanna get me with no money

Oh no, I don’t want no

No scrub, no scrub (no, no)

No scrub (no, no, no), no scrub (no, no)

No, I don’t want no scrub

A scrub is a guy that can’t get no love from me

Hangin’ out the passenger side

Of his best friend’s ride (oh)

Trying to holla at me

I don’t want no scrub (no)

A scrub is a guy that can’t get no love from me

Hangin’ out the passenger side

Of his best friend’s ride

Trying to holla at me

I don’t want no scrub

A scrub is a guy that can’t get no love from me

Hangin’ out the passenger side

Of his best friend’s ride

Trying to holla at me

I don’t want no scrub

A scrub is a guy that can’t get no love from me

Hangin’ out the passenger side

Of his best friend’s ride

Trying to holla at me

I don’t want no scrub

A scrub is a guy that can’t get no love from me

Hangin’ out the passenger side

Of his best friend’s ride

Trying to holla at me

I don’t want no scrub

A scrub is a guy that can’t get no love from me

Hangin’ out the passenger side

Of his best friend’s ride

Trying to holla at me

I don’t want no scrub

A scrub is a guy that can’t get no love from me

Hangin’ out the passenger side

Of his best friend’s ride

Trying to holla at me

I don’t want no scrub

A scrub is a guy that can’t get no love from me

Hangin’ out the passenger side