During this time period, it was stated by Thomas she had begun working on a solo project and had realized that rumors of TLC's demise had taken over in the media. It was then that Thomas made a call to LaFace label-head L.A. Reid to discuss working on TLC's fourth studio album. After contacting Watkins, and soon after, Lopes, sessions for "3D" began in the fall of 2001. However, soon after recording had begun, sessions came to a halt, as Lopes began work on her second studio album, known as "N.I.N.A. (New Identity Non Applicable)", and as Watkins was hospitalized in January 2002 due to complications stemming from her ongoing battle with sickle cell anemia, Lopes eventually came to visit Watkins in the hospital and went back to the studio to record raps for "3D". In April 2002, as Watkins' condition improved greatly, Lopes went to Honduras to do missionary work and also record a documentary film about her life.