Thoughts

Sure, maybe Jewel did it first--a pop star committing her thoughts and poems to audiotape, thus introducing the medium to legions of demographically desirable young fans. But this original tape by ""T-Boz"" (""T"" of the Grammy winning R&B/hip hop vocal group TLC) has the potential to break through to young African-American consumers, demonstrating anew the potential for musicians to embrace spoken audio as a natural, ready-and-waiting creative outlet. Watkins produced and recorded this tape on her own and handed it in as finished product. That air of assurance and artistic autonomy comes across strong in the poems and accompanying music. The Iowa-born singer addresses issues that affect many teens: racism, health, weight, working--all components of self-image. Her message is one of self-reliance, born out in plainspoken rhyme and culminating in a musical number entitled ""Tionne's Song."" This makes for an appealing program that speaks directly to fans. Simultaneous release with the Harper Entertainment hardcover. (Nov.)