Kandi Burruss, former Xscape member and co-writer of such hits as TLC's "No Scrubs" and Destiny's Child's "Bills, Bills, Bills," returns to Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart with "Leave U." Debuting at No. 89, the Oct. 5 digital release is the lead single from the singer/songwriter's second solo album, "Kandi Koated" (Kandi Koated/Asylum/Warner Bros.), due Dec. 14.
During the last several years, Kandi - who goes by the single-name moniker - attempted to release a follow-up to her pop-leaning Columbia solo debut, 2000's "Hey Kandi . . ." But the project was ultimately put on hold. Then, just as she decided to record her own independent project, Kandi was asked to join the 2009 second-season cast of Bravo's "Real Housewives of Atlanta." That same year, she released the digital EP "Fly Above," catching the attention of Asylum/WB.
"The show definitely helped as far as being in a position to do a solo album; it's a big infomercial," Kandi says with a laugh. "Having not done an album in so long and wondering who's going to be interested in what you're doing can be discouraging. But you never know what's going to fall into your lap."