Xscape (group) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Xscape
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Instruments | Vocals |
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Xscape is an American girl group from Atlanta, Georgia. The group started in 1991 with Kandi Burruss, Tameka "Tiny" Cottle, LaTocha Scott, Tamera Coggins-Wynn, and Tamika Scott. The next year, Tamera Coggins-Wynn left, and Xscape became a group of four.
They were discovered by Jermaine Dupri, who signed them to his So So Def music label. Their first album, Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha, came out in 1993. It included two of their biggest songs: "Just Kickin' It" and "Understanding". This album sold over a million copies by 1994. Xscape has sold more than 7 million records around the world.
The group released their second album, Off the Hook, in 1995. This album also sold over a million copies. The songs "Feels So Good" and "Who Can I Run To" from this album were very popular. Their third and last album, Traces of My Lipstick, was released in 1998. The song "The Arms of the One Who Loves You" was a big hit. The group stopped making music together in 1998 to work on their own projects, but they got back together in 2017.
In 2018, Kandi Burruss took a break from the group to work on Broadway. Because of this, the group became a trio called XSCAP3. This new group included Tameka "Tiny" Harris and sisters Tamika Scott and LaTocha Scott. XSCAP3 released new songs like "Wifed Up" and "Dream Killa". They also released their first short album, called an EP, Here for It, on March 2, 2018.
Contents
Early Career and First Album
Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha (1992–1994)
After Tamera Coggins left in 1993, Xscape became a group of four. Jermaine Dupri discovered them and signed them to his So So Def label. He introduced the group at his birthday party in 1992.
Their first album, Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha, was released on October 12, 1993. It reached number seventeen on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. It also reached number three on the Top R&B Albums chart. The album was very successful and sold over a million copies within a year.
Two songs from the album became top 10 hits. "Just Kickin' It" and "Understanding" both reached the top 10 on the Hot 100 chart. "Just Kickin' It" sold over a million copies, and "Understanding" sold over half a million. These songs also became number-one hits on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Other songs from the album, "Love on My Mind" and "Tonight", were not as popular.
After promoting their first album, Xscape contributed to the soundtrack for The Mask movie with the song "Who's That Man?". They also appeared on the song "Freedom (Theme from Panther)" for the movie Panther. Many other groups like TLC and En Vogue were also on this soundtrack.
Off the Hook (1995–1997)
Xscape released their second album, Off the Hook, in 1995. The first song from the album, "Feels So Good", reached number 32 on the US Hot 100 chart. The song "Who Can I Run To" reached number 8.
Other songs, "Do You Want To" and "Can't Hang" (which featured rapper MC Lyte), were released together. They reached number 50 on the Hot 100 but were more popular on the "Hot R&B/Hip Hop" charts, reaching number 9. The album eventually sold over a million copies.
In 1996, the group sang background vocals on a remix of Mariah Carey's song "Always Be My Baby". This remix also featured a rap by Da Brat. Xscape also appeared on MC Lyte's song "Keep On Keepin' On", which was on the Sunset Park movie soundtrack. This song became MC Lyte's most successful song on the pop charts, reaching number 10. In 1997, Xscape's songs were featured on the soundtracks for the movies Love Jones and Soul Food.
Traces of My Lipstick and Break (1998–2002)
In early 1998, Xscape was featured on the song "Am I Dreamin'" by the group Ol' Skool. This song was produced by Keith Sweat and was a success in North America. It reached number 31 on the "Hot 100" chart. This song was later included on Xscape's third album, Traces of My Lipstick.
Traces of My Lipstick debuted at number 28 on the Billboard 200 chart. It reached number 6 on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop album chart. Over a million copies of the album were sold in the U.S. The album included the top 10 hit "The Arms of the One Who Loves You", which reached number 7 on the Hot 100 chart. Another song, "My Little Secret", reached number 9.
After Traces of My Lipstick, LaTocha Scott decided to leave the group to start a solo career. Later, she reunited with her sister Tamika Scott and Tameka Cottle to reform the group. They asked Kandi Burruss to rejoin, but she declined. Burruss then signed a document giving up her rights to the Xscape name. The remaining three original members appeared on the soundtracks for the movies Big Momma's House and Hardball. After this, the group took another break until 2005.
Reunion and New Music (2017–present)
On June 25, 2017, all four original members of Xscape performed together for the first time in over 18 years at the 2017 BET Awards. They also performed at the Essence Festival and in Detroit.
In September 2017, the group announced a reunion tour that would visit 29 cities. They were joined by other artists like Monica and Tamar Braxton. On September 22, the group appeared on The Wendy Williams Show and performed "My Little Secret" and "Understanding". On November 12, Kandi Burruss announced that she would not be making new music with Xscape at that time. Two new songs, "Wifed Up" and "Dream Killa", were released on December 1, but Kandi Burruss was not on them.
In late 2017, Kandi Burruss mentioned in interviews that she was not interested in recording new music with Xscape because she was focusing on Broadway roles. Because of this, Tiny, LaTocha, and Tamika formed a smaller group called XSCAP3. This trio signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in January 2018. They also created their own music label, XSCAP3 Entertainment. In late 2017 and early 2018, the members of XSCAP3 recorded six new songs for their first EP.
On March 2, 2018, XSCAP3 released their EP titled "Here for It" on all digital music platforms.
On May 8, 2021, Xscape had a special music battle event called Verzuz with another popular 1990s R&B group, SWV. In 2022, the group was honored with the Lady Of Soul award at the Soul Train Awards.
Members
Kandi Burruss
Kandi Burruss (born May 17, 1976) sings the lower harmony parts in the group. She was also known for her high voice, which can be heard in "Understanding" and "My Little Secret". Kandi also sang lead parts on other Xscape songs like "Just Kickin' It", "Feels So Good", and "Tonight".
After leaving Xscape, Kandi helped write songs for many famous artists. These include Mariah Carey, Faith Evans, Pink, Whitney Houston, and Alicia Keys. She also wrote songs for groups like TLC, Destiny's Child, and 'N Sync. Kandi also helped discover the R&B group Jagged Edge.
In 1999, Kandi and groupmate Tameka "Tiny" Cottle co-wrote the worldwide hit "No Scrubs" for TLC. They also wrote "Bills, Bills, Bills" for Destiny's Child. In 2000, Kandi released her first solo album, Hey Kandi, which featured the song "Don't Think I'm Not".
Kandi Burruss has been a cast member on the Bravo reality show The Real Housewives of Atlanta since its second season. She owns a restaurant called Old Lady Gang, a clothing company called Raising Ace, and a cosmetics line called "Kandi Koated Cosmetics". She also has a non-profit organization called Kandi Cares.
Tameka "Tiny" Cottle
Tameka "Tiny" Harris (born July 14, 1975) sings the main melody in Xscape songs. She sometimes sings the highest notes too. She sang lead parts on Xscape songs like "Understanding", "Tonight", "My Little Secret", and "Am I Dreamin'".
Tiny is well known for co-writing TLC's 1999 hit "No Scrubs" with Kandi Burruss. She also sang on the chorus of songs for artists like Lil' Kim and Bow Wow.
Tiny starred in the BET reality show Tiny & Toya. In 2011, she and her husband T.I. started appearing in the reality series T.I. and Tiny: The Family Hustle.
LaTocha Scott
LaTocha Scott (born October 2, 1973) is often considered the lead singer of Xscape because she sang lead parts on most of their songs. She usually sings the higher harmony parts.
Scott was part of the second season of TVOne's R&B Divas: Atlanta reality show.
Tamika Scott
Tamika Scott (born November 19, 1975) typically sings the melody between Kandi and her sister LaTocha in the harmonies. She is known for her lead vocals on "Understanding", "Love on My Mind", "Who Can I Run To", and "The Arms of the One Who Loves You".
After Xscape's break, Tamika released a song called "Day and Night". She also acted in Tyler Perry’s play Meet the Browns. She wrote and produced four songs for Tyler Perry’s movie soundtrack Daddy's Little Girls. Tamika also wrote and performed the title song for Tyler Perry's movie Why Did I Get Married.
Discography
- Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha (1993)
- Off the Hook (1995)
- Traces of My Lipstick (1998)
