Lisa Lopes' Family Upset TLC Replacing Her on New "Waterfalls" Remix

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More like "don't go replacing waterfalls."

Family members of late singer Lisa "Left-Eye" Lopes were not happy when they found out that the surviving members of TLC had recruited Japanese pop star Namie Amuro to sing Lopes' verse on a new remix of their hit tune "Waterfalls," off of 1994's CrazySexyCool.

"I did not know about it until a fan posted it online," Left-Eye's sister Reigndrop Lopes told TMZ, noting that her mother was hurt as well. "I mean, it would have been nice if they would have given us a heads up before being surprised."

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But Reigndrop added, so long as the song is just released in Japan, then she's OK with it. Meanwhile, the revamped tune has been yanked from YouTube, where it was labeled "20th Anniversary Version—Japan Edition."

Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and Rozonda "Chili" Thomas continued on as a duo after Lopes' death in a car crash in Honduras on April 25, 2002. With their fallen member's vocals already having been recorded, they released the group's fourth album, 3D, that November.

Since Lopes' death, TLC has enjoyed the majority of its success overseas. They announced in November at the Mobo Awards in Liverpool, England, that they were working on their first new studio album in 10 years.

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"We're going to still sound like TLC, evolving to whatever level we need to be at this time," T-Boz said.

She and Chili performed last weekend in Japan, where Left-Eye's mom and sister were in the audience to see TLC be presented with the Legends Award from MTV Japan.

The pair are also scheduled to perform at the Mixtape Festival in Pennsylvania on July 27, which will be their first show in the U.S. since 2009. The biopic CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story is also in the works at VH1.

T-Boz took to Twitter this week to ward off critics of the new "Waterfalls," assuring fans, "@JKingOfOneself its a tribute TO Lisa in her lyrics...don't believe the hype" and "@Tupacaveli u don't know what ur talkin about bless your heart you'll see soon enough it's in Lisa's words its a Tribute to her not replaced."

Then, in a blanket statement to all: "#Shhhhh with a special finger if u don't know what ur talking about! Don't believe the hype…"

Enjoy the original "Waterfalls" right here:

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James Gandolfini's Friends and Family Gather to Remember Late Star, Broadway Dims Their Lights

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Friends and family gathered today to say goodbye to James Gandolfini.

A private, invitation-only viewing was held this afternoon for the late Sopranos actor in his hometown of Park Ridge, N.J., at the Robert Spearing Funeral Home.

"Of course it's difficult. This man was like everybody's hero and it was just the worst thing in the world that could possibly have happened," Gandolfini's relative Bob Price told CBS.

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Gandolfini's sisters Leta Gandolfini and Johanna Antonacci were present, along with the star's 8-month-old daughter, Liliana Ruth Gandolfini, who arrived flanked by guards and a blanket.

The actor's body returned to the U.S. Sunday night after being flown in from Rome.

"On behalf of the Gandolfini family, I would like to thank the Italian authorities for all the assistance they have rendered in expediting the formalities necessary to repatriate James Gandolfini's remains to the United States," spokesman Michael Kobold said.

"It has been our privilege to be guests in your beautiful country, despite the difficult circumstances. We sincerely thank you."

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In addition, Broadway theaters will dim their lights this week to pay tribute to the fallen star, with theater marquees going dark for one minute tonight to honor the actor.

"James Gandolfini was a consummate actor who brought individuality to each role and inspired a true connection with the audience. Whether on screen or on a Broadway stage, he made every role believable and seemingly effortless," Executive Director of The Broadway League Charlotte St. Martin said in a statement.

"Our thoughts go out to his family and friends, and certainly to all of his fans who felt as if they knew his characters."

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The 51-year-old actor suffered a heart attack in his room at Hotel Boscolo in Rome, Italy, last Wednesday. Gandolfini's teenage son was with his father in the room and called for help. Hotel staff subsequently rushed to the room and found the Emmy winner collapsed on the bathroom floor.

Workers attempted to resuscitate him, but he was later pronounced dead at the Policlinico Umberto I hospital.

The news of Gandolfini's death struck Hollywood with shock, and numerous celebs and colleagues gave their condolences and blessings to the late actor and his family.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in upper Manhattan.

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