View source for FanMail

{{Short description|1999 studio album by TLC}}
{{about|the album by TLC|correspondence sent to a celebrity|Fan mail||Fan mail (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox album
| name       = FanMail
| type       = studio
| artist     = [[TLC (group)|TLC]]
| cover      = TLC - FanMail.png
| alt        = The three group members' faces are covered in metallic blue skin tones in front of a black background. The cover art is filled in binary code, with the artist name on top of the members, and the album title positioned below them.
| released   = {{Start date|1999|2|23}}
| recorded   = April–December 1998
| studio     =
* D.A.R.P. (Atlanta){{efn|Tracks 1–5, 7, 9, 11 and 13–17}}
* The Enterprise ([[Burbank, California]]){{efn|Tracks 1, 11 and 15; vocals on track 6}}
* Flyte Tyme ([[Edina, Minnesota]]){{efn|Track 6}}
* [[Record Plant]] (Hollywood){{efn|Vocals on track 6}}
* Brandon's Way (Hollywood){{efn|Tracks 8 and 13}}
* Silent Sound (Atlanta){{efn|name=Track 8|Track 8}}
* [[Doppler Studios|Doppler]] (Atlanta){{efn|name=Track 8}}
* Krosswire (Atlanta){{efn|Track 10}}
* Riversound ([[Lithonia, Georgia]]){{efn|Tracks 11 and 15}}
| genre      = 
* [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]<!--Genre is sourced in the composition section. Do not add genres here without a [[WP:RS|reliable source]] that firmly attributes the genre to the album, not songs from the album.-->
| length     = 63:31
| label      =
* [[LaFace Records|LaFace]]
* [[Arista Records|Arista]]
| producer   =
* [[Dallas Austin]]
* [[Babyface (musician)|Babyface]]
* [[Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs]]
* Cyptron
* [[Jermaine Dupri]]
* [[Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis]]
* [[Debra Killings]]
* Ricciano Lumpkins
* [[Daryl Simmons]]
| prev_title = [[CrazySexyCool]]
| prev_year  = 1994
| next_title = [[3D (TLC album)|3D]]
| next_year  = 2002
| misc       = {{Singles
| name        = FanMail
| type        = studio
| single1     = [[No Scrubs]]
| single1date = February 2, 1999
| single2     = [[Unpretty]]
| single2date = May 17, 1999
| single3     = [[Dear Lie]]
| single3date = December 6, 1999
}}
}}

'''''FanMail''''' is the third studio album by American girl group [[TLC (group)|TLC]], released on February 23, 1999, by [[LaFace Records|LaFace]] and [[Arista Records]]. The album title is a tribute to TLC's fans who sent them [[fan mail]] during their hiatus. ''FanMail'' debuted at number one on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], selling 318,000 copies in its first week of release, and spent five weeks at number one.

To promote the album, TLC embarked on their first concert tour titled the [[FanMail Tour]]. ''FanMail'' received acclaim from most music critics, who praised its innovative sound and themes. The album received eight nominations at the [[42nd Annual Grammy Awards]], including one for [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]], winning three. It has been certified six-times platinum by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA), and has sold 10 million copies worldwide. ''FanMail'' is TLC's second-best-selling album after their 1994 studio album ''[[CrazySexyCool]]''.

Released following a period of uncertainty marked by financial difficulties and disputes with their record label and among group members, ''FanMail'' reaffirmed TLC's commercial viability. The album's incorporation of technological themes and futuristic production has been credited with helping to reshape the sound of R&B at the turn of the 21st century. TLC were among the first mainstream artists to aestheticize the internet in their music, and ''FanMail'' is regarded as an early precursor to the direct artist-to-fan interaction that would later become common in the era of social media. It was the group's final album released in [[Lisa Lopes|Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes]]' lifetime before she died on April 25, 2002, as she was killed in a car crash prior to the release of their fourth studio album ''[[3D (TLC album)|3D]]'' (2002).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1952488.stm|title=Lisa Lopes killed in car crash|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=April 26, 2002|access-date=February 29, 2020}}</ref><ref name=":2" />

==Background==
After filing for [[Chapter 11]] [[bankruptcy]] on July 3, 1995, the group went on a recording hiatus. The suit was eventually settled on November 25, 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/05/business/going-broke-cutting-loose-bankruptcy-has-new-appeal-for-music-groups-chafing.html|title=Going Broke and Cutting Loose; Bankruptcy Has New Appeal for Music Groups Chafing at Their Contracts|last1=Samuels|first1=Anita M.|last2=Henriques|first2=Diana B.|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=February 5, 1996|access-date=July 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724030841/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/05/business/going-broke-cutting-loose-bankruptcy-has-new-appeal-for-music-groups-chafing.html|archive-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref> Preliminary work on their third studio album was delayed when friction arose between the group and their main producer [[Dallas Austin]], who was at the time dating member [[Rozonda Thomas|Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas]], and helped to raise their son Tron. Austin wanted $4.2 million and creative control on the project, resulting in a stand-off between him and the group. TLC eventually entered recording studios in April 1998 to start work on their then-untitled third album with Austin, who returned with a handshake agreement. While he contributed the most to the album and served as the [[executive producer]], they also collaborated with long-term producers [[Babyface (musician)|Babyface]] and [[L.A. Reid]], as well as with [[Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs]], [[Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis]].<ref name="Vibe">{{cite web|url=https://www.vibe.com/2013/10/tlc-vibe-cover-story-may-1999|title=TLC VIBE Cover Story (May 1999)|last=DeCurtis|first=Anthony|work=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]|date=October 23, 2013|access-date=November 12, 2019}}</ref> ''FanMail'' was initially scheduled for release on November 10, 1998, but was delayed to the first quarter of 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/501070/tlc-solicit-fan-names-for-cover-art/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302185456/http://www.mtv.com/news/501070/tlc-solicit-fan-names-for-cover-art/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 2, 2020|title=TLC Solicit Fan Names For Cover Art|publisher=[[MTV News]]|date=September 8, 1998|access-date=March 2, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JQoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA35|title=Andrea Martin Trades Pen for Mike on 'Best'; D'Angelo Brews 'Voodoo' Follow-Up|last=Samuels|first=Anita M.|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=October 24, 1998|volume=110|issue=43|page=35|issn=0006-2510|via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref>

[[Lisa Lopes|Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes]] wrote and composed eight songs for the album, all of which Austin rejected, stating that they were "inferior".<ref>{{cite news|title=Role players: The loud-and-proud survivors of TLC serve as inspiration to young women.|last=Bream|first=Jon|newspaper=[[Star Tribune]]|date=November 19, 1999|issn=0895-2825|page=5}}</ref> Consequently, Lopes told [[MTV News]] in July 1998 that she decided to work on a solo album assisted by [[Erick Sermon]]. The album was planned to be released before ''FanMail'', further causing tension among the group.<ref name="Vibe"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Grrr power|last=Verrico|first=Lisa|newspaper=[[The Times]]|date=August 21, 1999|issn=0140-0460|page=8}}</ref> During an interview with ''[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]'' in 1999, Lopes publicly derided her involvement in TLC, remarking: "I've graduated from this era. I cannot stand 100 percent behind this TLC project and the music that is supposed to represent me. This will be my last interview until I can speak freely about the truth and present myself on my solo project."<ref name="Vibe"/>

==Recording and production==
During the recording of ''FanMail'', the group were offered many songs that would eventually be recorded by other artists such as [[702 (group)|702]]'s "[[Where My Girls At?]]" (1999),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/music/2018/12/09/missy-elliott-songwriters-hall-fame-aaliyah-destinys-child-ciara-timbaland/38692835/|title=Missy Elliott on hits for Aaliyah, Beyoncé and herself|last=Fekadu|first=Mesfin|work=[[The Detroit News]]|date=December 9, 2018|access-date=February 29, 2020}}</ref> [[Whitney Houston]]'s "[[Heartbreak Hotel (Whitney Houston song)|Heartbreak Hotel]]" (1998),<ref name="FanMail15"/> and [[Britney Spears]]' "[[...Baby One More Time]]" (1998). Thomas stated that the group considered recording each track but were worried that it did not represent them well. [[Tionne Watkins|Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins]] reiterated Thomas' reasoning in an interview with [[MTV News]], stating that "...Baby One More Time" was not good for them despite appreciating and respecting Spears' decision to record it.<ref name="Britney">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1715769/tlc-britney-spears-baby-one-more-time/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109071716/http://www.mtv.com/news/1715769/tlc-britney-spears-baby-one-more-time/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 9, 2014|title=Why TLC Said 'Hell No' To Britney's '...Baby One More Time'|last=Midgarden|first=Cory|publisher=MTV News|date=October 17, 2013|access-date=August 4, 2017}}</ref> Each member received at least one songwriting credit throughout ''FanMail''.<ref name=":5" />

Watkins decided to begin writing poetry to deal with her emotions after being in and out of hospital due to [[sickle cell disease]]. She took her collection of poems to Austin, who helped her adapt one into the song "[[Unpretty]]", while another was adapted by Babyface into "[[Dear Lie]]". While writing and recording "[[I'm Good at Being Bad]]" in Minneapolis, Watkins had been inspired by [[grunge]] band [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]'s loud and soft dynamic shifts in their discography, and wanted to create a song in a similar style for TLC. Jam encouraged her to hum the melody while he played the beat in the recording booth, which was unlike her usual process of listening to the beat and writing out the lyrics. She stated that the technique influenced her as a songwriter. She sought to have Lopes rap the pre-chorus herself, but Lopes insisted that Watkins' thicker voice should be used for the track. Watkins also contributed to writing two more songs for the album, co-writing "If They Knew" and "Shout" with Austin and Lopes. Two of the album's tracks, "Come on Down" and "I Miss You So Much", were originally written for Watkins to sing lead. However, she decided that Thomas would be more suited as the lead vocalist after attempting to record them. During the recording of the latter, Thomas was suffering from a sinus infection. She asked to re-record the song the next week despite it being near the album's deadline, but Babyface decided that the vocal take she had recorded would be suitable for the final version. "[[No Scrubs]]" was one of the final tracks recorded for the album. It was originally written by [[Kandi Burruss]], [[Tameka Cottle]], and Briggs for the former two artists to record together as part of the girl group [[Xscape (group)|Xscape]]. However, Austin persuaded Briggs to give the song to TLC as their first single for ''FanMail'', with Thomas singing the lead vocals. Austin further emphasized that it was a breakthrough for her, as he believed that she was more capable than being relegated to a secondary vocalist.<ref name="FanMail20"/>

==Composition==
''FanMail'' took on a new, futuristic style, due to the rapid advancement in technology heading into the new millennium such as the [[Year 2000 problem|Y2K bug]] and [[Napster]].<ref name=":2" /><ref name="Vibe2019"/> This was effectively portrayed in the album's most popular song "No Scrubs" along with the music video, which embraces a modern emphasis on female strength and independence.<ref name="FanMail15">{{cite web |last=Shepherd |first=Julianne Escobedo |date=February 24, 2014 |title="FanMail" Turns 15: Looking Back At TLC's Most Prescient Album |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2014/02/tlc-fanmail-15-year-anniversary |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406060613/https://www.complex.com/music/2014/02/tlc-fanmail-15-year-anniversary |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |access-date=February 29, 2020 |work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]}}</ref> The album contains several tracks featuring vocals by the computer modulated voice Vic-E, a talking android which is reminiscent of the "tour guide" on [[A Tribe Called Quest]]'s 1993 studio album, ''[[Midnight Marauders]]''.<ref name="Vibe2019"/> Initially, the android was created through the [[Macintosh]]'s greeting voice as a replacement for Lopes, as she refused to work with the group. However, once she reconciled with them, she approved of the android and decided to include it on the album as a character.<ref name="FanMail20">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/tlc-fanmail-interview-20th-anniversary-dallas-austin-8499567/|title=TLC's 'FanMail' Turns 20: A Track-By-Track Retrospective With the Girl Group and Behind-the-Scenes Collaborators|magazine=Billboard|last=Gracie|first=Bianca|date=February 22, 2019|access-date=February 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190223013401/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8499567/tlc-fanmail-interview-20th-anniversary-dallas-austin|archive-date=February 23, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

''FanMail'' is an [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] album, that includes tracks featuring [[funk]], [[Hip hop music|hip hop]]-inspired [[dance-pop]], and [[sentimental ballad|ballads]].<ref name=":2" /><ref name="AM"/> Several producers were involved in the album's production, including Dallas Austin, Babyface, [[Jermaine Dupri]], Jimmy Jam, and Terry Lewis.<ref name=":2" /> Throughout 17 tracks, TLC brought up issues of sexuality, insecurities, self-reliance, and vulnerability with resistant messaging.<ref name="Vibe2019"/> It fused elements of [[new jack swing|"new jill swing"]] and sounds created from a [[Roland TR-808]], to form a "cyber-R&B masterpiece".<ref name=":6">{{cite magazine |last=Exposito |first=Suzy |date=February 23, 2019 |title=Flashback: TLC Release 'FanMail' in 1999 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/flashback-tlc-fanmail-1999-no-scrubs-unpretty-798907/ |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205133836/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/flashback-tlc-fanmail-1999-no-scrubs-unpretty-798907/ |archive-date=February 5, 2023 |access-date=February 25, 2021 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> On the first track "FanMail", Austin used multiple [[Sampling (music)|samples]] from the internet and movies in order to create a "space sound" that "will sound like what the album cover looks like". The background noise consisting of typewriters and printers was incorporated to represent the fan letters and fan mail, while Austin added a sample from an interview with Lopes commenting "all these conflicting fan mail", and created a [[Hook (music)|hook]] with it.<ref name="Mix">{{cite web|url=https://www.mixonline.com/recording/dallas-austin-producing-music-period-372648|title=Dallas Austin: Producing Music, Period|last=Hopkins|first=Mark|website=[[Mix (magazine)|Mix Online]]|date=March 1, 2000|access-date=February 29, 2020}}</ref> The song consisted of a sneaking bassline, vocal stutters, and glitches similar to that of [[Dial-up Internet access|dial-up Internet]].<ref name="FanMail15"/> However, in contrast to the album's dominating technological sound, "Unpretty" is an [[Alternative rock|alternative pop]] song that describes the insecurity caused by body-shaming. The song was inspired by a poem written by Watkins. "Communicate (Interlude)" establishes the connection between the thoughts and feelings of people nearby through technology. The lyrics from the song, "There's over a thousand ways/ To communicate in our world today/ And it's a shame/ That we don't connect" describe the lack of interaction between humans, which in turn has increased the rate of [[Depression in childhood and adolescence|depression among adolescents]].<ref name="Vibe2019"/> It combines the typing of a keyboard in the background with Left Eye's vocals, "will you communicate with me?".<ref name="FanMail15"/>

==Artwork, packaging, and title==
The ''FanMail'' cover featured a custom font design, and cover art with decode-able [[binary code]] which included images of the TLC members in metallic skin tones.<ref name="FanMail15"/><ref name="Vibe2019">{{cite web |last=Whaley |first=Natelegé |date=February 23, 2019 |title=20 Years Of TLC's 'FanMail': A Futurist Prelude To Digital Era Intimacy |url=https://www.vibe.com/2019/02/tlc-fanmail-anniversary-digital-era-intimacy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226031617/https://www.vibe.com/2019/02/tlc-fanmail-anniversary-digital-era-intimacy |archive-date=February 26, 2021 |access-date=November 12, 2019 |work=Vibe}}</ref> The photographer, Dan Levy, shot the silver-painted group members without any digital alterations.<ref name="FanMail20"/> Writing for ''[[i-D]]'', Annie Lord described the members on the cover as "three digitised{{sic}}, disembodied cyborgs from another dimension", and compared the binary code across their faces to ''[[The Matrix]]''.<ref name=":10">{{cite web |last=Lord |first=Annie |date=February 25, 2019 |title=how tlc's 'fanmail' predicted internet anxiety |url=https://i-d.co/article/how-tlcs-fanmail-predicted-internet-anxiety/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250529143431/https://i-d.co/article/how-tlcs-fanmail-predicted-internet-anxiety/ |archive-date=May 29, 2025 |access-date=February 25, 2021 |work=[[i-D]]}}</ref> The CD insert folds out to form a large poster featuring a picture of the three TLC members and the names of thousands of people who sent them fan mail throughout their career.<ref name=":8">{{cite web |last=Zoladz |first=Lindsay |date=May 4, 2012 |title=Refresh: The Lonely Futurism of TLC's FanMail |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/article/8827-tlc/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124112311/https://pitchfork.com/features/article/8827-tlc/ |archive-date=January 24, 2025 |access-date=March 2, 2020 |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]}}</ref> A limited edition of the album was released, which had an insert with a lenticular version of the cover placed in front of the original booklet in the jewel case.<ref name="LinerNotes"/>

The album title is a tribute to TLC's fans after their five-year hiatus. It came from Lopes, who also coined the group's first two album titles ''[[Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip]]'' and ''[[CrazySexyCool]]'', and initially wanted to name the album ''Fan2See''.<ref name="Vibe"/><ref name="FanMail20"/> She stated to the group, "let's write and sing one big fan letter. Let's put fan names on everything – all the singles, the album cover, T-shirts, mugs. Just show our appreciation".<ref name="Vibe2019"/>

==Promotion==
{{More citations needed|section|date=February 2021}}

===Singles===
"FanMail", "[[Silly Ho]]", "[[I'm Good at Being Bad]]", and "My Life" served as [[promotional single]]s for the album. Those songs charted on the US ''Billboard'' R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.

"[[No Scrubs]]" was the official lead single and topped the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] for four consecutive weeks, becoming TLC's biggest commercial success in years. It also ranked at number two on [[Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1999|''Billboard'''s Year-End Hot 100 of 1999]].<ref name=":0">{{cite magazine |date=December 25, 1999 |title=1999 The Year in Music: Hot 100 Singles |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9w0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=SL680-PA48 |magazine=Billboard |pages=YE48, YE50 |access-date=June 18, 2017}}</ref>

Follow-up single "[[Unpretty]]" also topped the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, spending three weeks at number one and placing at number 20 on the Year-End Hot 100.<ref name=":0" />

Originally, "Shout" was planned to be a single in the United States, while "[[Dear Lie]]" would be a single internationally, but only the latter would end up being released as a single with an accompanying music video. It peaked at number 51 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |title=TLC Chart History (Hot 100) |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/TLC/chart-history/HSI |access-date=2023-02-07 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Tour===
{{See also|FanMail Tour}}
TLC embarked on the [[FanMail Tour]] to promote the album. It was their first headlining tour, and their first tour in five years. As part of a sponsorship with [[MP3.com]], the group released "I Need That", with proceeds sent to the [[Sickle Cell Disease Association of America]]. The song was described by the producer Rico Lumpkins as "more R&B than [[Hip hop music|hip-hop]]". The stage and costumes were all designed by each TLC member.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/517742/tlc-announce-tour-post-new-song-at-mp3com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161231074603/http://www.mtv.com/news/517742/tlc-announce-tour-post-new-song-at-mp3com/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 31, 2016|title=TLC Announce Tour, Post New Song At MP3.Com|last=Whitaker|first=Lang|publisher=MTV News|date=September 27, 1999|access-date=February 25, 2021}}</ref> The FanMail Tour became the highest-grossing tour by a girl group, as it grossed over $72.8 million. It was the final tour with all three members together.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.papermag.com/fanmail-tlc-20th-anniversary-2629819303.html?rebelltitem=1#rebelltitem1|title=Do You Remember 'FanMail'?|last=Ting|first=Jasmine|work=[[Paper (magazine)|Paper]]|date=February 23, 2019|access-date=February 25, 2021}}</ref>

==Critical reception==
{{Album ratings
| rev1       = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1score  = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="AM">{{cite web|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/fanmail-mw0000601233|title=FanMail – TLC|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=January 23, 2020}}</ref>
| rev2      = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| rev2score = B−<ref name="EW">{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/1999/03/05/fan-mail-2/|title=Fan Mail|last=Browne|first=David|author-link=David Browne (journalist)|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=March 5, 1999|access-date=March 13, 2020}}</ref>
| rev3       = ''[[The Guardian]]''
| rev3score  = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite news|last=Sullivan|first=Caroline|title=TLC: FanMail (Arista)|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=February 19, 1999}}</ref>
| rev4       = ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''
| rev4score  = {{Rating|3.5|4}}<ref name="LATimes">{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-feb-21-ca-10039-story.html|title=TLC Takes Care to Adopt Streamlined Approach|last=Weingarten|first=Marc|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=February 21, 1999|access-date=March 13, 2020}}</ref>
| rev5       = ''[[Muzik]]''
| rev5score  = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="Muzik">{{cite magazine|title=TLC: Fan Mail (LaFace/Arista)|last=Farsides|first=Tony|magazine=[[Muzik]]|issue=47|page=84|date=April 1999}}</ref>
| rev6       = ''[[NME]]''
| rev6score  = 8/10<ref name="NME">{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews/19990126114951reviews.html|title=TLC – Fanmail|last=Morton|first=Roger|work=[[NME]]|date=February 26, 1999|access-date=March 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000817163152/http://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews/19990126114951reviews.html|archive-date=August 17, 2000 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| rev7       = ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''
| rev7score  = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|title=TLC: FanMail|magazine=[[Q (magazine)|Q]]|issue=152|date=May 1999|page=116}}</ref>
| rev8       = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev8score  = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="RS">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/tlc/albums/album/249574/review/5946705/fanmail|title=TLC: Fanmail|last=Powers|first=Ann|author-link=Ann Powers|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=March 18, 1999|access-date=March 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080709024301/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/tlc/albums/album/249574/review/5946705/fanmail|archive-date=July 9, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| rev9       = ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]''
| rev9score  = 6/10<ref name="Spin">{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ayeEJMF-CZUC&pg=PT10|title=TLC: Fan Mail|last=Clover|first=Joshua|author-link=Joshua Clover|magazine=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|volume=15|issue=5|pages=146–147|date=May 1999|via=Google Books}}</ref>
| rev10      = ''[[USA Today]]''
| rev10score = {{Rating|3.5|4}}<ref>{{cite news|title=At once hot and hard-hitting, trio is 'so good at being bad'|last=Jones|first=Steve|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=February 16, 1999}}</ref>
}}

Upon release, ''FanMail'' received acclaim from most music critics, many of whom regarded it as TLC's most progressive project to date.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Fuamoli |first=Sose |date=June 20, 2019 |title=How TLC changed female representation in 90s R&B |url=https://www.abc.net.au/listen/doublej/music-reads/features/crazysexycool-fanmail-tlc-changed-female-representation-90s-rnb/11115376 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250526190431/https://www.abc.net.au/listen/doublej/music-reads/features/crazysexycool-fanmail-tlc-changed-female-representation-90s-rnb/11115376 |archive-date=May 26, 2025 |access-date=May 23, 2025 |work=[[Double J (radio station)|Double J]] |quote=FanMail became another critical success.}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Preezy |date=February 23, 2019 |title=7 reasons TLC's 'FanMail' is legendary |url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2019-02-23/100325/7-reasons-tlcs-fanmail-is-legendary |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250218125334/https://www.revolt.tv/article/2019-02-23/100325/7-reasons-tlcs-fanmail-is-legendary |archive-date=February 18, 2025 |access-date=May 23, 2025 |work=[[Revolt (TV network)|Revolt]] |quote=FanMail was acclaimed by critics of all varieties with the album receiving glowing reviews as their most progressive work at the time}}</ref> Reviewers also complimented the album's sound and lyrics for addressing complex themes in a catchy, mainstream manner.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Sharmaine |date=August 6, 2024 |title=TLC's albums ranked |url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/tlc-albums-ranked |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223134553/https://ratedrnb.com/2019/02/how-tlc-fanmail-pushed-the-envelope/ |archive-date=February 23, 2024 |access-date=May 26, 2025 |work=[[Revolt (TV network)|Revolt]]}}</ref>

Writing for ''[[Muzik]]'', Tony Farsides stated that ''FanMail'' was "a real grower" in comparison to other albums released during the time.<ref name="Muzik" /> ''[[NME]]'' writer Roger Morton compared the album's "cyber concept" to [[Prince (musician)|Prince]]'s [[Minneapolis sound|electronic funk]] discography and opined that TLC were not diminished by other girl groups such as [[Honeyz]], [[All Saints (group)|All Saints]], and the [[Spice Girls]].<ref name="NME" />

[[Ann Powers]] of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' opined that elements of ''FanMail'' were "fragmented" despite sounding more "sharper [and] aggressive" than ''CrazySexyCool'', but praised the TLC members for taking "brave" risks.<ref name="RS"/> Writing for [[AllMusic]], [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] noted that the group were attempting to imitate the production of ''CrazySexyCool'' although he noted the album's versatility.<ref name="AM"/> ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' staff writer Marc Weingarten negatively stated that the vocals were "wispy [and] flat", and that all members were "severely limited singers". However, he commented that the album's production managed to overpower their vocals with "sinewy beats and startling arrangements".<ref name="LATimes"/>

[[David Browne (journalist)|David Browne]] of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' criticized TLC's "startlingly faceless and homogeneous" vocals and opined that ''FanMail'' was an "endless parade of hooks" without the essence of R&B. He acknowledged that their vocals were typical of some R&B artists in the 1990s who "warble in the same half-asleep murmur" and lamented that the genre is "curiously dispassionate".<ref name="EW"/> Writing for ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'', [[Joshua Clover]] stated that the album was "a burning, physical message that looks like a spectacle but reads like sexual politics" and criticized the producers for attempting to resemble [[Timbaland]]'s production.<ref name="Spin"/>

{{clear}}

==Commercial performance==
In the United States, ''FanMail'' debuted at number one on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and the [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]] charts with 318,000 copies sold in its first week, becoming TLC's first number-one album on both charts.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Mayfield|first=Geoff|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6A0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA116|title=Between the Bullets: Signed, Sealed, Delivered|magazine=Billboard|volume=111|issue=11|date=March 13, 1999|page=116|issn=0006-2510|via=Google Books}}</ref> On June 21, 2000, it was certified six-times platinum by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA). According to [[Nielsen SoundScan]], the album had sold 4.8 million copies in the United States as of July 2017;<ref name="billboard2017">{{cite magazine |last=Horowitz |first=Steven J.|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/00s/2017/Billboard-2017-07-01%20%28Double%20Issue%29.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128161936/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/00s/2017/Billboard-2017-07-01%20%28Double%20Issue%29.pdf |url-status=live |archive-date=January 28, 2023 |title=TLC's Fierce Comeback: T-Boz and Chilli on Girl-Group Wokeness, L.A. Reid & Instagram Hustle |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=July 1-14, 2017|page=40|access-date=January 28, 2023}}</ref> it had sold an additional 877,000 copies through the [[BMG Music Club]] as of February 2003.<ref name="bmgclub">{{cite web|last=David|first=Barry|title=Shania, Backstreet, Britney, Eminem and Janet Top All-Time Sellers|website=Music Industry News Network|date=February 18, 2003|url=http://www.mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=47877|access-date=March 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925173959/http://www.mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=47877|archive-date=September 25, 2015}}</ref> Internationally, the album reached the top 10 in New Zealand, Canada, and the United Kingdom. As of February 2019, ''FanMail'' has sold over 10 million copies worldwide.<ref name="WW sales">{{cite web |last=Levine |first=Nick C. |date=February 22, 2019 |title=Lessons on self-worth and self-care from TLC's FanMail |url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/43433/1/tlc-fanmail-20th-anniversary-retrospective |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250511171639/https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/43433/1/tlc-fanmail-20th-anniversary-retrospective |archive-date=May 11, 2025 |access-date=May 10, 2022 |work=[[Dazed]] |quote=a sleek and seductive pop-R&B}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
''FanMail'' marked a return to form for TLC, following a turbulent hiatus from recording music that included a highly publicized period of financial struggles, record label disagreements, and internal conflict among group members.<ref name=":2" /><ref name="FanMail15" /><ref name="WW sales" /><ref name=":3" /> Although it did not replicate the commercial success of ''CrazySexyCool'', ''FanMail'' further cemented TLC's status as one of the most influential girl groups of all-time,<ref name=":9" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Hall |first=Jake |date=February 9, 2016 |title=Ten most essential R&B albums of the 90s |url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/29699/1/ten-most-essential-rb-albums-of-the-90s |access-date=May 29, 2025 |work=[[Dazed]]}}</ref> and nevertheless established them as the best-selling female musical act in the United States.<ref name="Vibe2019" /> According to Preezy Brown of [[Revolt (TV network)|Revolt]], its success proved their longevity as the preeminent R&B girl group of the 1990s, "bookend[ing] one of the dominant runs we’ve seen in music over the past quarter-century and stamped TLC as modern-day legends".<ref name=":1" /> In a [[BBC Radio 1]] listener poll, ''FanMail'' was voted the 17th best album of the 1993-2003 decade.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nelson |first=Trevor |author-link=Trevor Nelson |title=Rhythm Nation Top 50 Albums of the Decade |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/multivote/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031206065041/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/multivote/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 6, 2003 |access-date=May 29, 2025 |publisher=[[BBC Radio 1]]}}</ref>

The album is credited with helping to reshape the sound of R&B upon the turn of the 21st century.<ref name=":5" /> Its production, which incorporated futuristic and electronic sounds, influenced the genre's shift towards a more technology-inspired style,<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Brien |first=Jon |date=February 22, 2024 |title=10 Ways TLC Shaped The Future Of R&B |url=https://www.grammy.com/news/tlc-crazysexycool-fanmail-anniversary-legacy-impact |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250514150119/https://www.grammy.com/news/tlc-crazysexycool-fanmail-anniversary-legacy-impact |archive-date=May 14, 2025 |access-date=May 23, 2025 |work=[[Grammy Awards]]}}</ref> consequently introducing other sub-genres of R&B.<ref name=":5" /> Music journalist [[Suzy Exposito]] said the album "would serve as a blueprint for a new, digitally-savvy generation of genre-defying musicians".<ref name=":6" /> With the album's release, TLC were among the first artists to adopt a [[soundscape]] and aesthetic inspired by the country's fascination with and fear of the [[3rd millennium|new millennium]], the internet, and Y2K,<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Brissett |first=Danielle |date=February 23, 2019 |title=How TLC's 'Fanmail' Pushed the Envelope |url=https://ratedrnb.com/2019/02/how-tlc-fanmail-pushed-the-envelope/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223134553/https://ratedrnb.com/2019/02/how-tlc-fanmail-pushed-the-envelope/ |archive-date=February 23, 2024 |access-date=May 26, 2025 |work=[[Rated R&B]]}}</ref><ref name="FanMail20" /><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite news |last=Lal |first=Kish |date=February 4, 2019 |title=TLC's 'FanMail' Was A Devastating Message From A Lonely Future |url=https://archive.junkee.com/tlc-fanmail-restrospective/191823 |access-date=May 26, 2025 |work=[[Junkee]]}}</ref> with Julianne Escobedo Shepherd of ''[[Complex Magazine|Complex]]'' declaring them "the most accurately prescient of any of the musicians" who donned [[2000s in fashion|metallic outfits]].<ref name="FanMail15" /> According to Natelegé Whaley of ''[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]'', it "proved that TLC was more in tune with the future than their pop peers".<ref name="Vibe2019" /> ''[[Rated R&B]]'''s Danielle Brissett agreed that it "launched them into a space that most female R&B groups had yet to experience", while allowing them to compete alongside the likes of emerging R&B girl groups such as [[702 (group)|702]], [[Blaque]], and [[Destiny's Child|Destiny’s Child]] by releasing music that sounded different than theirs.<ref name=":5" /> [[Apple Music]] said the album maintains relevance despite its [[retrofuturism]], writing, "there isn't a better snapshot of where things were headed around the turn of the millennium".<ref name=":3" />

Music publications have discussed the impact of the album's themes.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" /> Apple Music said the project "delivered some of R&B's most timeless empowerment anthems and channeled the future with remarkable prescience".<ref name=":3" /> Similarly, Nick C. Levine of ''[[Dazed]]'' said in 2019 that the album's themes about self-preservation and self-worth continue to resonate.<ref name="WW sales" /> In response, TLC has received an outpouring of support from both established and new fans during and decades after the album's release, who wrote to them sharing their own struggles with body image and other issues.<ref name=":6" /> Whaley believes the record's defiance granted women "permission to be vocal about the spectrum of their emotions", particularly via its most popular single, "No Scrubs".<ref name="Vibe2019" /> In addition to introducing the term "scrub" into the public's [[lexicon]], the song had been sampled on over 37 songs by 2019.<ref name=":7" /> A reviewer for ''[[Sputnikmusic]]'' crowned the album "THE female urban album of our generation to evoke integrity in women, and companionship with their special someone", which they found deserving of TLC's recognition in the history books.<ref>{{Cite news |last=JTmusic1995 |date=July 8, 2012 |title=TLC – FanMail |url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/50729/TLC-FanMail/ |access-date=May 26, 2025 |work=[[Sputnikmusic]]}}</ref> In retrospect, some critics have admitted that certain aspects of ''FanMail'' sound outdated.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":7" /> However, Kish Lal of [[Junkee]] noted that although ''FanMail'' may contain dated production elements, its thematic substance and overarching messages remain timeless compared to offerings from other contemporary artists attempting Y2K-inspired pop at the time.<ref name=":7" /> Shepherd noted that the "weightless" production that characterized ''FanMail'' had fallen out of fashion but already resurged by 2014.<ref name="FanMail15" />

Because of its title and tracks that directly address fans, several reporters have noted that the album positioned TLC as early adopters of [[Direct-to-fan|digital fan engagement]] in a [[Timeline of social media|pre-social media era]],<ref name="FanMail15" /><ref name=":9">{{Cite news |last=Morgan |first=Glennisha |date=February 22, 2019 |title=TLC's 'Fanmail': A Classic That Was Ahead Of Its Time |url=https://kissfmdetroit.com/2019/02/22/tlcs-fanmail-a-classic-that-was-ahead-of-its-time/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250526190718/https://kissfmdetroit.com/2019/02/22/tlcs-fanmail-a-classic-that-was-ahead-of-its-time/ |archive-date=May 26, 2025 |access-date=May 26, 2025 |work=[[WDMK|105.9 Kiss-FM]]}}</ref> with both Chilli and T-Boz frequently interacting with their fans online.<ref name=":10" /> Lindsay Zoladz of ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' reported that because ''FanMail'' is often overlooked in favor of its immediate predecessor, ''CrazySexyCool'', fans fail to realize that the album is responsible for "a whole crop of web-minded, Tumblr-savvy, android-obsessed artists".<ref name=":8" /> Zoladz argues that ''FanMail'' explores the isolating effects of being constantly connected; she sees this theme reflected across contemporary media, from Drake's ''[[Take Care]]'' (2011) to ''[[The Social Network]]'' (2010) and ''[[Girls (TV series)|Girls]]'' (2012-2017), all of which similarly grapple with the emotional toll of digital life.<ref name=":8" /> Lal said in 2019 "The disconnect that TLC emanates in ''FanMail'' has trickled into the lives of everyone on social media",<ref name=":7" /> while ''[[i-D]]''<nowiki/>'s Annie Lord said TLC "predicted internet anxiety".<ref name=":10" /> The album has been cited as an influence on the works of female R&B artists in particular, namely Destiny’s Child, [[SZA]], [[H.E.R.]], and [[Summer Walker]].<ref name="Vibe2019" /> In 2019, Brissett credited the album's success with helping launch a [[Music of the African diaspora|Black music]] movement "that went against the norm" and "has a heavy presence today".<ref name=":5" /> ''FanMail'' was the final album TLC released comprising their original trio,<ref name=":1" /> becoming the last album they recorded with Lopes prior to her death in 2002.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=1999 |title=FanMail – TLC |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/fanmail/298575243 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250226004411/https://music.apple.com/us/album/fanmail/298575243 |archive-date=February 26, 2025 |access-date=May 23, 2025 |website=[[Apple Music]]}}</ref> [[Double J (radio station)|Double J]] contributor Sose Fuamoli said that, even when removed from Lopes's legacy, ''FanMail''<nowiki/>'s "importance at the end of the 90s is untouchable".<ref name=":2" />

==Track listing==
{{Track listing
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| total_length =

| title1 = FanMail
| writer1 = [[Dallas Austin]]
| extra1 = Cyptron
| length1 = 3:59

| title2 = The Vic-E Interpretation – Interlude
| writer2 = Austin
| extra2 = Cyptron
| length2 = 0:18

| title3 = [[Silly Ho]]
| writer3 = Austin
| extra3 = Cyptron
| length3 = 4:15

| title4 = Whispering Playa – Interlude
| writer4 = {{hlist|Austin|Marshall Lorenzo Martin}}
| extra4 = Austin
| length4 = 0:52

| title5 = [[No Scrubs]]
| writer5 = {{hlist|[[Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs|Kevin Briggs]]|[[Kandi Burruss]]|[[Tameka Cottle]]}}
| extra5 = Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs
| length5 = 3:34

| title6 = [[I'm Good at Being Bad]]
| writer6 = {{hlist|[[Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis|James Harris III]]|[[Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis|Terry Lewis]]|[[Lo-Key?|Tony Tolbert]]|[[Tionne Watkins|Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins]]|[[Lisa Lopes]]|Martin|[[B. B. Dickerson|Morris Dickerson]]|[[Charles Miller (musician)|Charles Miller]]|[[War (American band)|Sylvester Allen]]|[[Harold Ray Brown|Harold Brown]]|[[Howard E. Scott|Howard Scott]]|[[Lee Oskar]]|[[Lonnie Jordan|Leroy Jordan]]}}
| extra6 = [[Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis]]
| length6 = 5:39

| title7 = If They Knew
| writer7 = {{hlist|Austin|Ricciano Lumpkins|Lopes|Martin|Watkins}}
| extra7 = {{hlist|Austin|Lumpkins}}
| length7 = 4:04

| title8 = I Miss You So Much
| writer8 = {{hlist|[[Babyface (musician)|Babyface]]|[[Daryl Simmons]]}}
| extra8 = {{hlist|Babyface|Simmons}}
| length8 = 4:56

| title9 = [[Unpretty]]
| writer9 = {{hlist|Austin|Watkins}}
| extra9 = Austin
| length9 = 4:38

| title10 = My Life
| writer10 = {{hlist|[[Jermaine Dupri]]|[[Tamara Savage]]|Lopes|Martin}}
| extra10 = {{hlist|Dupri|Carl So-Lowe{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| length10 = 4:01

| title11 = Shout
| writer11 = {{hlist|Austin|Lopes|Martin|Watkins}}
| extra11 = Austin
| length11 = 3:57

| title12 = Come On Down
| writer12 = [[Diane Warren]]
| extra12 = {{hlist|Austin|[[Debra Killings]]}}
| length12 = 4:17

| title13 = [[Dear Lie]]
| writer13 = {{hlist|Babyface|Watkins}}
| extra13 = Babyface
| length13 = 5:10

| title14 = Communicate – Interlude
| writer14 = Austin
| extra14 = Austin
| length14 = 0:51

| title15 = Lovesick
| writer15 = {{hlist|Austin|[[Rozonda Thomas]]}}
| extra15 = Austin
| length15 = 3:52

| title16 = Automatic
| writer16 = Austin
| extra16 = Austin
| length16 = 4:31

| title17 = Don't Pull Out on Me Yet
| writer17 = Austin
| extra17 = {{hlist|Austin|Briggs{{ref|b|[b]}}}}
| length17 = 4:33
}}

{{Track listing
| headline = Japanese edition bonus track<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/fanmail-japan-mr0001114725 |title=FanMail [Japan] – TLC |website=AllMusic |access-date=January 23, 2020}}</ref>
| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title18 = U in Me
| writer18 = Austin
| extra18 = Austin
| length18 = 3:50
}}

===Digital download track===
* "I Need That" – 3:52
** Released online by TLC exclusively on [[MP3.com]] to promote the [[FanMail Tour]]. Produced by Rico Lumpkins for PWPX, LLC. Written by R. Lumpkins, L. Lopes, and S. Chunn. Left Eye's rap was later expanded and re-recorded on the track "Gimme Some" from [[Toni Braxton]]'s album ''[[The Heat (Toni Braxton album)|The Heat]]'', as well as being completely reused and shortened on the track "Whoop De Woo" from the compilation ''[[Now and Forever: The Hits]]'', originally intended for the group's fourth album ''[[3D (TLC album)|3D]]''.

'''Notes'''
* {{sup|{{note|a|[a]}}}} signifies a co-producer
* {{sup|{{note|b|[b]}}}} signifies an additional vocal producer

'''Sample credits'''
* "FanMail" contains an excerpt from an [[MTV]] interview that features the instrumental of TLC's song "[[Diggin' on You]]" in the background.
* "I'm Good at Being Bad" contains elements from "[[Slippin' into Darkness]]" by [[War (American band)|War]]. The song also originally contained interpolated lyrics from "[[Love to Love You Baby (song)|Love to Love You Baby]]" by [[Donna Summer]], but the interpolated lyrics were later removed on later pressings of the explicit version.
* On initial pressings of the album, "Whispering Playa – Interlude" contained a sample of "[[Cold Blooded (song)|Cold Blooded]]" by [[Rick James]] playing in the background. The sample was removed on subsequent editions, with TLC's song "U in Me" being played in the background instead.
* "Automatic" contains portions from [[Neil Armstrong]]'s "Moon Landing" speech.

==Personnel==
Credits adapted from the liner notes of ''FanMail''.<ref name="LinerNotes">{{cite AV media notes |title=FanMail |type=liner notes |others=[[TLC (group)|TLC]] |publisher=[[LaFace Records]] |year=1999 |id=73008-26055-2}}</ref>

===Musicians===
{{Div col}}
* [[Dallas Austin]] – arrangements {{small|(tracks 1, 3, 7, 9, 11, 12, 15–17)}}; gang vocals {{small|(tracks 3, 11)}}
* [[Tionne Watkins|T-Boz]] – background vocals {{small|(tracks 1, 11, 13, 16)}}; gang vocals {{small|(track 3)}}
* [[Rozonda Thomas|Chilli]] – background vocals {{small|(tracks 1, 5, 8, 11, 16)}}
* [[Debra Killings]] – background vocals {{small|(tracks 1, 3, 5, 7–13, 15–17)}}; bass {{small|(tracks 9, 12, 17)}}
* Rick Sheppard – [[MIDI]], sound design {{small|(tracks 1, 3, 9, 11, 15, 17)}}
* Vic-E – speech {{small|(track 2)}}; rap {{small|(track 3)}}
* Leslie Brathwaite – gang vocals {{small|(tracks 3, 11)}}
* Ty Hudson – gang vocals {{small|(tracks 3, 11)}}
* [[Joi (singer)|Joi Gilliam]] – gang vocals {{small|(track 3)}}
* Peach – gang vocals {{small|(track 3)}}
* Sonji – gang vocals {{small|(track 3)}}
* Carolyn Paige – gang vocals {{small|(track 3)}}
* Kevin Wales – gang vocals {{small|(track 3)}}
* "Big" Stan Smith – gang vocals {{small|(track 3)}}
* Papi – playa {{small|(track 4)}}
* [[Kandi Burruss]] – background vocals {{small|(track 5)}}
* [[Tameka Cottle|Tameka "Tiny" Cottle]] – background vocals {{small|(track 5)}}
* [[Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs|She'kspere]] – MIDI, sound design {{small|(track 5)}}
* [[Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis]] – arrangements, all other musical instruments {{small|(track 6)}}
* Mike Scott – guitar {{small|(track 6)}}
* Alex Richbourg – drum programming {{small|(track 6)}}
* Jerry Lumpkins – additional keyboards {{small|(track 7)}}
* [[Babyface (musician)|Babyface]] – drum programming, acoustic guitar {{small|(tracks 8, 13)}}; keyboards, electric guitar {{small|(track 13)}}
* [[Greg Phillinganes]] – piano {{small|(track 8)}}; [[Wurlitzer electric piano|Wurlitzer]] {{small|(track 13)}}
* [[Michael Thompson (guitarist)|Michael Thompson]] – acoustic guitar {{small|(track 8)}}; electric guitar {{small|(track 13)}}
* C.C. Thomas – bass {{small|(track 8)}}
* [[Necia Bray]] – background vocals {{small|(track 8)}}
* Tomi Martin – guitar {{small|(tracks 9, 17)}}
* Tom Knight – drums {{small|(track 9)}}
* LaMarquis Jefferson – bass {{small|(track 10)}}
* Marde Johnson – gang vocals {{small|(track 11)}}
* Koko Watkins – gang vocals {{small|(track 11)}}
* Solomon Jackson – gang vocals {{small|(track 11)}}
* James Killings – guitar {{small|(track 12)}}
* [[Nathan East]] – bass {{small|(track 13)}}
* [[Paulinho da Costa]] – percussion {{small|(track 13)}}
* Colin Wolfe – bass {{small|(track 15)}}
* Melvin M. Jones – trumpet {{small|(track 17)}}
* Gregory Hudspeth – saxophone {{small|(track 17)}}
* Anthony Roberson – trombone {{small|(track 17)}}
{{Div col end}}

===Technical===
{{Div col}}
* Cyptron – production {{small|(tracks 1–3)}}
* Carlton Lynn – recording {{small|(tracks 1–5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17)}}; recording assistance {{small|(tracks 1, 7, 11, 12, 15, 16)}}; mixing {{small|(tracks 2, 4, 14)}}
* Leslie Brathwaite – recording {{small|(tracks 1, 3, 9, 11, 15–17)}}; mixing {{small|(tracks 5, 11, 17)}}
* Jeff Griffin – recording assistance {{small|(tracks 1, 11, 15)}}
* Sejoon Kahng – recording assistance {{small|(tracks 1, 11, 15)}}
* Alvin Speights – mixing {{small|(tracks 1, 3, 7, 9, 12, 15, 16)}}
* Vernon J. Mungo – mixing assistance {{small|(tracks 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 15–17)}}; recording assistance {{small|(track 13)}}; recording {{small|(track 17)}}
* Ty Hudson – recording assistance {{small|(tracks 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 17)}}; mixing assistance {{small|(tracks 14, 17)}}
* Dallas Austin – production {{small|(tracks 4, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14–17)}}; executive production
* [[Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs]] – production {{small|(track 5)}}; additional vocal production {{small|(track 17)}}
* Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis – production {{small|(track 6)}}
* Steve Hodge – recording, mixing {{small|(track 6)}}
* Xavier Smith – recording assistance, mixing assistance {{small|(track 6)}}
* Dave Rideau – vocal recording {{small|(track 6)}}
* Gordon Fordyce – vocal recording assistance {{small|(track 6)}}
* [[Dylan Dresdow]] – vocal recording assistance {{small|(track 6)}} 
* Ricciano Lumpkins – production {{small|(track 7)}}; recording {{small|(tracks 7, 12, 16)}}
* John Horesco IV – mixing assistance {{small|(track 7)}}; digital editing {{small|(track 17)}}
* Babyface – production {{small|(tracks 8, 13)}}; executive production
* [[Daryl Simmons]] – production {{small|(track 8)}}
* [[Paul Boutin (sound engineer)|Paul Boutin]] – recording {{small|(tracks 8, 13)}}
* Thom "TK" Kidd – lead vocals recording {{small|(track 8)}}
* Kevin Lively – lead vocals recording assistance {{small|(track 8)}}; mixing assistance {{small|(track 10)}}
* Ralph Cacciurri – lead vocals recording assistance {{small|(track 8)}}
* Jon Gass – mixing {{small|(tracks 8, 13)}}
* Ivy Skoff – production coordination {{small|(tracks 8, 13)}}
* [[Jermaine Dupri]] – production, mixing {{small|(track 10)}}
* Carl So-Lowe – co-production {{small|(track 10)}}
* Brian Frye – recording {{small|(track 10)}}
* [[Phil Tan]] – mixing {{small|(track 10)}}
* Diane Makowski – production coordination {{small|(track 10)}}
* Debra Killings – production {{small|(track 12)}}
* Aman Junaid – recording {{small|(tracks 12, 17)}}
* E'lyk – mixing assistance {{small|(track 13)}}
* Claudine Pontier – recording assistance {{small|(track 15)}}
* Herb Powers Jr. – mastering
* [[L.A. Reid|Antonio M. Reid]] – executive production
* [[TLC (group)|TLC]] – executive production
{{Div col end}}

===Artwork===
* TLC – creative concept
* D.L. Warfield – art direction, design
* Cherie O'Brien – creative coordination
* Nigel Sawyer – layout assistance
* [[Seb Janiak]] – photography

==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Weekly chart performance for ''FanMail''
! scope="col"| Chart (1999)
! scope="col"| Peak<br/>position
|-
{{album chart|Australia|15|artist=TLC|album=FanMail|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{album chart|Austria|17|artist=TLC|album=FanMail|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{album chart|Flanders|7|artist=TLC|album=FanMail|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{album chart|Wallonia|11|artist=TLC|album=FanMail|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{album chart|Canada|3|chartid=8122|album=FanMail|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2022}}
|-
{{album chart|BillboardCanada|3|artist=TLC|album=FanMail|rowheader=true}}
|-
! scope="row"|Canadian R&B Albums ([[Nielsen SoundScan]])<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.canoe.com/JamMusicCharts/RANDB.html|title=R&B : Top 50|website=[[Jam!]]|date=October 4, 1999|access-date=January 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991007034354/http://www.canoe.com:80/JamMusicCharts/RANDB.html|archive-date=October 7, 1999}}</ref>
|style="text-align:center;"|2
|-
{{album chart|Netherlands|9|artist=TLC|album=FanMail|rowheader=true|access-date=January 15, 2017}}
|-
! scope="row"| [[European Top 100 Albums|European Albums]] (''[[Music & Media]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Music/Archive-Music-Media-IDX/IDX/90s/99/MM-1999-06-05-OCR-Page-0009.pdf |title=European Top 100 Albums |magazine=[[Music & Media]] |volume=16 |issue=23 |date=June 5, 1999 |page=9 |oclc=29800226 |via=World Radio History}}</ref>
| 9
|-
{{album chart|Finland|26|artist=TLC|album=FanMail|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{album chart|France|24|artist=TLC|album=FanMail|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{album chart|Germany|7|id=2938|artist=TLC|album=FanMail|rowheader=true}}
|-
! scope="row"| Irish Albums ([[Irish Recorded Music Association|IRMA]])<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uw0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA43 |title=Hits of the World |magazine=Billboard |volume=111 |issue=24 |date=June 12, 1999 |page=43 |issn=0006-2510 |via=Google Books}}</ref>
| 8
|-
!scope="row"|Japanese Albums ([[Oricon Albums Chart|Oricon]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/24233/products/51447/1/|title=ファンメイル|language=ja|publisher=[[Oricon]]|access-date=April 19, 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419103638/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/24233/products/51447/1/|archive-date=April 19, 2023 }}</ref>
|10
|-
{{album chart|New Zealand|6|artist=TLC|album=FanMail|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{album chart|Norway|22|artist=TLC|album=FanMail|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{album chart|Scotland|23|date=19990911|rowheader=true|access-date=January 15, 2017}}
|-
{{album chart|Sweden|16|artist=TLC|album=FanMail|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{album chart|Switzerland|11|artist=TLC|album=FanMail|rowheader=true}}
|-
!scope="row"|Taiwanese Albums ([[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|IFPI]])<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ifpi.org.tw/chart/1999/intl21.htm|title=IFPI Taiwan International Top 10|date=May 31, 1999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991222020936/http://ifpi.org.tw/chart/1999/intl21.htm|access-date=May 1, 2023|archive-date=December 22, 1999}}</ref>
|4
|-
{{album chart|UK2|7|date=19990502|rowheader=true|access-date=June 24, 2018}}
|-
{{album chart|UKR&B|1|date=19990425|rowheader=true|access-date=January 15, 2017}}
|-
{{album chart|Billboard200|1|artist=TLC|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|1|artist=TLC|rowheader=true|access-date=January 15, 2017}}
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 1999 year-end chart performance for ''FanMail''
! scope="col"| Chart (1999)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/1999/albums-chart |title=ARIA Top 100 Albums for 1999 |publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]] |access-date=July 28, 2022}}</ref>
| 47
|-
! scope="row"| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1999&cat=a |title=Jaaroverzichten 1999 – Albums |language=nl |publisher=[[Ultratop]] |access-date=January 15, 2017}}</ref>
| 30
|-
! scope="row"| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=1999&cat=a |title=Rapports annuels 1999 – Albums |language=fr |publisher=Ultratop |access-date=January 15, 2017}}</ref>
| 53
|-
! scope="row"| Canadian Top Albums/CDs (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.9954&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.9954.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.9954 |title=RPM 1999 Top 100 CDs |magazine=RPM |volume=70 |issue=8 |date=December 13, 1999 |page=18 |issn=0033-7064 |via=Library and Archives Canada}}</ref>
| 9
|-
! scope="row"| Danish Albums (Hitlisten)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://top20.dk/chart/1999 |title=Chart of the Year 1999 |website=Top20.dk |access-date=November 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113024328/http://top20.dk/chart/1999 |archive-date=January 13, 2015}}</ref>
| 100
|-
! scope="row"| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1999&cat=a |title=Jaaroverzichten – Album 1999 |language=nl |publisher=[[Dutch Charts]] |access-date=January 15, 2017}}</ref>
| 31
|-
! scope="row"| European Albums (''Music & Media'')<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Music/Archive-Music-Media-IDX/IDX/00s/00/MM-2000-01-01-OCR-Page-0011.pdf |title=Year in Focus – European Top 100 Albums 1999 |magazine=Music & Media |volume=17 |issue=1 |date=January 1, 2000 |page=11 |oclc=29800226 |via=World Radio History}}</ref>
| 24
|-
! scope="row"| French Albums (SNEP)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.snepmusique.com/fr/pag-259376-Classements-Annuels.html?year=1999&type=2 |title=Classement Albums – année 1999 |language=fr |publisher=[[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique]] |access-date=July 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120925061146/http://www.snepmusique.com/fr/pag-259376-Classements-Annuels.html?year=1999&type=2 |archive-date=September 25, 2012}}</ref>
| 65
|-
! scope="row"| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-1999 |title=Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts – 1999 |publisher=GfK Entertainment |language=de |access-date=January 15, 2017}}</ref>
| 19
|-
! scope="row"| Japanese Albums (Oricon)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/1999a.html |script-title=ja:1999年 アルバム年間TOP100 |trans-title=Top 100 Albums of 1999 |publisher=Oricon |language=ja |access-date=July 3, 2019 |via=[[GeoCities]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150605233146/http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/1999a.html |archive-date=June 5, 2015}}</ref>
| 58
|-
! scope="row"| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-albums/1999-12-31 |title=Top Selling Albums of 1999 |publisher=[[Recorded Music NZ]] |access-date=January 15, 2017}}</ref>
| 21
|-
! scope="row"| Swedish Albums & Compilations (Sverigetopplistan)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hitlistan.se/netdata/ghl002.mbr/lista?liid=42&dfom=19990001 |title=Årslista Album (inkl samlingar) – År 1999 |language=sv |publisher=[[Hitlistan]] |access-date=June 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150813152710/http://www.hitlistan.se/netdata/ghl002.mbr/lista?liid=42&dfom=19990001 |archive-date=August 13, 2015}}</ref>
| 65
|-
! scope="row"| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/1999/alben |title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1999 |website=hitparade.ch |language=de |access-date=July 28, 2022}}</ref>
| 48
|-
! scope="row"| UK Albums (OCC)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-artist-albums-chart/19990110/37502/ |title=End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 1999 |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=January 15, 2017}}</ref>
| 28
|-
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1999/top-billboard-200-albums |title=Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1999 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=June 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804115037/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1999/top-billboard-200-albums |archive-date=August 4, 2020}}</ref>
| 10
|-
! scope="row"| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1999/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums |title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1999 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=June 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915133815/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1999/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums |archive-date=September 15, 2020}}</ref>
| 7
|}

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 2000 year-end chart performance for ''FanMail''
! scope="col"| Chart (2000)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2000/top-billboard-200-albums |title=Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2000 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=January 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925082915/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2000/top-billboard-200-albums |archive-date=September 25, 2020}}</ref>
| 147
|}

===Decade-end charts===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 1990–1999 decade-end chart performance for ''FanMail''
! scope="col"| Chart (1990–1999)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Mayfield |first=Geoff |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9w0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=SL680-PA20 |title=Top Pop Albums of the '90s |magazine=Billboard |volume=111 |issue=52 |date=December 25, 1999 |page=YE-20 |issn=0006-2510 |via=Google Books}}</ref>
| 84
|}
{{col-end}}

==Certifications and sales==
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for ''FanMail''}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|artist=TLC|title=FanMail|award=Platinum|type=album|certyear=1999|access-date=August 8, 2012}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|artist=TLC|title=FanMail|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=1999|certyear=1999|date=August 27, 1999|access-date=May 26, 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=TLC|title=Fanmail|award=Platinum|number=4|type=album|relyear=1999|certyear=1999|date=October 19, 1999|access-date=August 8, 2012}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|artist=TLC|title=FanMail|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=1999|certyear=1999|date=August 17, 1999}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=album|title=FanMail|artist=TLC|nocert=true|salesamount=250,000|relyear=1999|salesref=<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Spahr|first=Wolfgang|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JQ8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA64|title=Grammy's Two Way Street|magazine=Billboard|volume=112|issue=20|date=May 13, 2000|page=64|issn=0006-2510|via=Google Books}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|artist=TLC|title=FanMail|award=Million|type=album|relyear=1999|certyear=2002|certmonth=11|access-date=July 1, 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Netherlands|artist=TLC|title=FanMail|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=1999|certyear=2000|access-date=August 23, 2018}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=TLC|title=FanMail|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=1999|certyear=1999|id=1999-10-29|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|date=October 31, 1999}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|artist=TLC|title=Fanmail|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=1999|certyear=1999|access-date=August 8, 2012}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=TLC|title=Fanmail|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=1999|certyear=1999|id=2210-157-2|date=September 9, 1999|access-date=March 15, 2022|salesamount=395,877|salesref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uktop40.republika.pl/najlep%20sprzalbumy%20uk%201999.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070220040926/http://www.uktop40.republika.pl/najlep%20sprzalbumy%20uk%201999.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 20, 2007 |title=Najlepiej sprzedające się albumy w W.Brytanii w 1999r |language=pl |publisher=Z archiwum...rocka |access-date=28 July 2014 }}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=TLC|title=FanMail|award=Platinum|number=6|type=album|relyear=1999|certyear=2000|date=June 21, 2000|salesamount=5,677,000|salesref={{efn|As of June 2017, ''FanMail'' had sold 4.8 million copies in the United States according to [[Nielsen SoundScan]],<ref name="billboard2017"/> which does not count albums sold through clubs like the [[BMG Music Club]],<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1046724/ask-billboard |title=Ask Billboard: 'Good' Is Not So Good |magazine=Billboard |date=January 25, 2008 |access-date=May 26, 2019}}</ref> where it had sold 877,000 copies as of February 2003.<ref name="bmgclub"/> Combined, it has sold over 5,677,000 copies in the US.}}|refname="RIAA"}}
{{Certification Table Summary}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Europe|artist=TLC|title=FanMail|award=Platinum|type=album|certyear=1999|access-date=March 2, 2014}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Worldwide|nocert=yes|salesamount=10,000,000|salesref=<ref name="WW sales"/>}}
{{Certification Table Bottom}}

==See also==
* [[List of Billboard 200 number-one albums of 1999|List of ''Billboard'' 200 number-one albums of 1999]]
* [[List of Billboard number-one R&B albums of 1999|List of ''Billboard'' number-one R&B albums of 1999]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{TLC (group)}}
{{Grammy Award for Best R&B Album}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fanmail}}
[[Category:1999 albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Babyface (musician)]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Dallas Austin]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Jermaine Dupri]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis]]
[[Category:Arista Records albums]]
[[Category:Grammy Award for Best R&B Album]]
[[Category:LaFace Records albums]]
[[Category:TLC (group) albums]]