'No Scrubs' lyrics by TLC with line-by-line breakdown. The 1999 feminist anthem spent 4 weeks at #1 and defined 'scrub' culture. Includes song history and streaming links."
Song Information
Title: No Scrubs
Artist: TLC (T-Boz, Chilli & Left Eye)
Album: FanMail (1999)
Release Date: February 2, 1999
Genre: R&B/Hip-Hop Soul
Writers: Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs, Kandi Burruss, Tameka "Tiny" Cottle
Billboard Performance:
#1 on Hot 100 (4 weeks)
#1 on R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (7 weeks)
Certifications: 2x Platinum (RIAA)
No Scrubs Lyrics by TLC Full Lyrics with Breakdown
A scrub is a guy that thinks he's fly
And is also known as a buster
Always talkin' about what he wants
And just sits on his broke ass...
No, I don't want your number (No)
No, I don't wanna give you mine and (No)
No, I don't wanna meet you nowhere (No)
No, don't want none of your time and (No)
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 mama
Oh yes, son, I'm talking to you
I know that you wanna get with me
But sorry, I'm not giving up the goods
Hangin' out the passenger side
Of his best friend's ride
Trying to holla at me
Read More : We're an American Band Lyrics by Don Brewer
Song Meaning & Cultural Impact
What is a "Scrub"?
90s slang for a man with no ambition/money but arrogant attitude
The anthem called out "dusty" men years before "dusty" became popular
Key Themes
✔️ Female empowerment in dating
✔️ Standards for romantic partners
✔️ Rejecting broke/unambitious men
Historic Significance
Won Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance
VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the 90s (#12)
Inspired parodies & covers (like No Pigeons response)
Extended Song Background
Recording & Production
Studio Sessions: Recorded at DARP Studios (Atlanta) & Doppler Studios
Production Team:
Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs (Main Producer)
Kandi Burruss (Co-writer/Xscape member)
Tameka "Tiny" Cottle (Co-writer/Xscape member)
Original Demo: Initially offered to Destiny's Child but rejected
Cultural Timeline
1999 Release Era
Feminist Anthem: Dropped during peak "Girl Power" movement
Radio Impact: Played every 90 minutes on urban stations
2000s Legacy
Sampled In: 15+ hip-hop songs including Kanye West tracks
TV Features: Empire, Insecure, Girls Trip soundtrack
2020s Resurgence
TikTok Trend: 500M+ views under #NoScrubsChallenge
Gen Z Adoption: "Scrub" re-entered slang dictionaries
Music Video Analysis
Director: Hype Williams
Budget: $800,000 (massive for 1999)
Futuristic Themes:
Chrome outfits cost $35,000 each
CGI spaceship sequences
Easter Egg: Left Eye's helmet displays "R.I.P. Aaliyah"
Live Performances
Award Shows:
1999 MTV VMAs (pyrotechnic performance)
2000 Grammys (controversial censored version)
Tour Stats:
Performed 228 times on FanMail tour
Always the encore song
Lyrical Interpretation
Feminist Reading
Rejection of "potential" over reality
Financial independence as attraction factor
Agency in romantic choices
Economic Context
Released during dot-com boom when:
38% of Black women aged 25-34 out-earned male peers
Atlanta's music industry created new wealth dynamics
Covers & Samples
Notable Covers
| Artist | Version | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Bastille | Indie Rock | 2019 |
| Keke Palmer | R&B | 2020 |
| Postmodern Jukebox | Jazz | 2016 |
Major Samples
Ed Sheeran - "Shape of You" (hidden interpolation)
Kanye West - "Slow Jamz"
Lil Nas X - "Industry Baby" (reference)
Awards & Accolades
Grammy Nomination: Best R&B Performance by a Duo/Group
Billboard Awards: Top Hot 100 Song of 1999
VH1 Honors:
#12 "100 Greatest Songs of the 90s"
#7 "100 Greatest Women in Music Moments"
Behind the Scenes
Studio: DARP Studios (Atlanta)
Producer: Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs
Fun Fact:
The iconic intro was almost cut for being "too harsh"
Left Eye's rap verse was added last minute
Where to Stream
▶️ [Spotify] | [Apple Music] | [YouTube]