Kandi

Biography

Vocalist and songwriterKandi Burruss first caught the public's attention when she was only 15 years old. Her first major appearance was the Teen Summit Showcase on BET. What might have been a highlight for some artists proved to be little more than a stepping stone for this young singer. In 1990 Kandi became one of the sensual foursome known as Xscape. Other members were Tameka "Tiny" Cottle and sisters LaTocha and Tamika Scott. During the time Kandi was with Xscape, the group earned a number of gold and platinum records and in 1996 walked away with Album of the Year from the Soul Train Music Awards.

Kandi wrote a couple of the group's first big hits, like "Feel So Good" and "Can't Hang." When she took her writing and singing career solo, she continued to please fans and surprise others. One of her first successes outside the group was the hit number, "No Scrubs," that she co-wrote for the hot female team TLC. Kandi's next effort, "Bills, Bills, Bills," written for Destiny's Child, did nearly as well, landing on the Billboard charts. In 2000, Kandi won the Rhythm & Soul Music Award for Songwriter of the Year from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. That was a big enough deal for any artists, but what topped it off was that she was the very first female to ever win this award. Kandi has written for a number of other artists, including Mariah Carey on "X-Girlfriend" and Boyz ll Men on "Good Guy." Kandi has also worked, as a singer or songwriter, with N'SYNC, Da Brat, N-Toon, Sole, and MC Lyte. She even added her talents to the soundtrack for the movie Big Momma's House. In 2000 Kandi's solo full-length debut album for Columbia Records, Hey Kandi, hit the stores. ~ Charlotte Dillon, All Music Guide