In the ’90s, the airwaves were dominated by girl groups whose songs advocated for many things that mattered then and still resonate to this day.
TLC members Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas used their fame to promote safe sex amid the HIV pandemic with their hit “Waterfalls.”
Salt-N-Pepa sent women everywhere a message that they deserve quality partners with “What a Man.” Xcape reminded us to take self-care seriously with “Just Kickin’ It.” And Destiny’s Child inspired us to move on from toxic relationships with “Survivor.”
These days, many members of iconic ‘90s girl groups are backing another important cause: vegan food.
TLC
TLC
Back in the ‘90s, TLC was the epitome of cool. Hits like “Waterfalls” and “No Scrubs” were on every mixtape and school dance playlist. Today, Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins is bringing that same passion to promoting vegan food.
T-Boz is the creative director for Good As Burgers, a vegan business owned by her brother, Conroy Watkins opened in 2020. Known as GABs, the restaurant, food truck, and catering business operates in Atlanta, GA, a city that has become a veritable hot spot for vegan food, in large part thanks to another business, Slutty Vegan.
At GABs, guests can indulge in plant-based fare such as burgers topped with Watkins’ irresistible GABs sauce alongside chicken tenders, grilled cheese sandwiches, sloppy joe cheese fries, and strawberry cheesecake for dessert.
Just as TLC inspired us to chase our dreams and embrace our self-worth, T-Boz—who has navigated a lifelong struggle with sickle cell anemia—is now inspiring us to consider healthier and more sustainable food choices.
Xscape
Xscape
Kick off your shoes, relax your feet, and party on down to the Xscape beat—which leans a lot more plant-based these days thanks to founding member LaTocha Reney Scott-Bivens.
The musical artist, known by the mononym “LaTocha,” transitioned to a plant-based lifestyle to improve her health.
“Most of you know me from the multi-platinum R&B group Xscape. Back in the early days, I was a little heavier than the other girls in my group, so people referred to me as ‘The Big Girl;’ it was hurtful,” LaTocha said on her website.
“Back then, I didn’t know the effect food had on my well-being. In those years since, my life has expanded in so many beautiful ways,” she said. “I changed the way I ate, exercised, and approached my life.”
What is LaTocha doing these days? The 50-year-old released her first cookbook, LaTocha’s Planted Lifestyle, in 2020 filled with both vegan recipes and life reflections with space for readers to journal their own experiences. LaTocha shares recipes such as Mac & Cheese, Lasagna, Enchiladas, Sweet Potato Pie, and Chicken and Waffles in the cookbook.
“This plant-based lifestyle has helped me slim down and feel more comfortable in my own skin,” LaTocha said. “I have all the energy I need to run, dance, and perform on stage, as well as to be a wife, mom, daughter, singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur.”
Salt-n-Pepa
Salt-N-Pepa
Tracks such as “Push It” and “Shoop” were go-to party starters in the ‘90s thanks to the iconic trio Salt-N-Pepa, composed of Cheryl James (Salt), Sandra Denton (Pepa), and Deidra Muriel Roper (DJ Spinderella).
These days James is getting the plant-based party started with her Instagram handle @daonlysalt where she often shares vegan and vegetarian recipes. James’ daughter, Corin Wray, is vegan and the ‘90s musical artist has been experimenting with vegan food for years.
On Instagram, James loves to explore how mushrooms can stand in for meat and uses plenty of greens to add nutrition to her dishes.
“Cooking [for] myself is more cost effective, gives me more control of the flavor, ingredients, and calories,” James captioned on a recent “Cooking with Salt” video. “Being creative whether in the studio or the kitchen is therapeutic.”
Some of James’ most popular recipes include vegan burgers made with homemade mushroom and black bean patties and crab cakes made with hearts of palm.
“I’m still doing cheese, y’all, give me time,” James explained in a recent recipe video for a lasagna she made with zucchini strips instead of noodles. “I’m on an 80/20 thing.”
This food principle focuses on eating a certain way (vegan, for James) 80 percent of the time while still eating other foods (cheese, for James) 20 percent of the time.
Silk
Destiny’s Child
Back in the ‘90s, Destiny’s Child helped everyone find their groove with hits such as “Bootylicious,” “Survivor,” and “Say My Name.” Two members of the trio—which included Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams—have put their name behind plant-based food.
After Destiny’s Child disbanded in 2006, Rowland went on to have a lucrative solo career and in 2022, partnered with Danone to kick off the TikTok presence of Silk, the multi-national company’s plant-based dairy brand, with the #SwapItWithSilk taste challenge. During the campaign, Rowland challenged participants to swap dairy for Silk’s dairy-free milks, yogurts, and creamers, showcasing that creamy dishes were not only possible but delectable sans dairy.
Renaissance
And, arguably the most famous member of the group is Beyoncé. Queen Bey has often promoted veganism, particularly through her collaboration with the 22 Days Nutrition program.
In 2018, Beyoncé challenged her followers to join her in a 22-day vegan challenge, which she was following in preparation for her groundbreaking Coachella performance—the first Black woman to headline the festival—that year.
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Anna Starostinetskaya is the Senior News Editor at VegNews and is always keeping an eye on all things vegan in her home city of San Francisco, CA and everywhere else.
