The iconic 90’s R&B girl group Xscape is back and stronger than ever, now as a trio. Current members Kandi Burruss-Tucker, Tameka “Tiny” Cottle-Harris, and Tamika Scott, continue to make waves in the music industry. They recently celebrated a significant milestone, with two of their classic singles, My Little Secret and Softest Place On Earth achieving Platinum and Gold status respectively. Now, they’re gearing up for major performances this spring and summer, which kicked off at the Stockbridge Amphitheater in Georgia on May 3rd.
MadameNoire had a chance to speak exclusively with Kandi Burruss-Tucker and Tamika Scott on their remarkable journey, achieving Platinum and Gold status and group-life without Tamika’s estranged sister, LaTocha Scott. The ladies also spoke on balancing motherhood while performing, their future aspirations and a potential Las Vegas residency.
MadameNoire: Congratulations on the Gold and Platinum statuses for your classic singles. How does it feel to see your music resonate so deeply with fans, even decades later?
Kandi Burruss: I think it’s pretty cool. All of our albums went platinum back in the ‘90s, but back then, the record labels would only push the first single and not really promote others. They pushed the album, hoping people would buy it. But now, with streaming, people can listen to individual songs, so it’s amazing to see tracks that weren’t even first singles now going Gold and Platinum. It shows how timeless our music really is.
You’re kicking off your summer tour series at the Stockbridge Amphitheater in Georgia. What does performing in your home state mean to you at this point in your career?
Tamika Scott: It means a lot to us. We get a chance to perform in front of our family, our friends, and of course, our fans. It’s always a little extra special when we perform at home because it’s a reminder of our roots. There’s no place like home.
Since your early days with So So Def and Jermaine Dupri, Xscape has been deeply rooted in Atlanta’s music scene. How do you feel about the evolution of the Atlanta sound?
Kandi: Atlanta has always been a major player in the music industry. They used to call it the “Motown of the South” because it’s where so many big labels, like LaFace Records and So So Def, Dallas Austin’s label, Organized Noise and more were based. Those labels helped push R&B and hip-hop forward in the ’90s. Today, Atlanta is still killing it, especially in the hip-hop scene. So many highly successful people in music are here, and we’re proud to be a part of it.
What do you think of the new Atlanta sound with younger artists? Are you following the trends like trap music?
Kandi: Well, Trap Music was huge in the early 2000s, and it has evolved into something different now. I think it’s dope how the sound is always changing and adapting. The younger generation is bringing a fresh twist to it. It’s exciting to see how they’re shaping the sound of music.
Xscape has faced highs and lows, but you’re still standing strong as the queens of R&B. What keeps you united and motivated after all these years?
Kandi: The fans keep us motivated, for sure. We’re just blessed to have this kind of longevity in the business. Not everyone gets to experience this. We’re more appreciative of everything now than we were when we were younger. When we were kids, we didn’t understand the hard work that went into it, but now, we know things just don’t come easy. It’s amazing to be able to headline shows and perform in arenas. We’re excited every time we get the chance to do it.
Tamika: What’s even more special is that our kids get to witness our legacy. They’re on the road with us, and they’re seeing firsthand what we’ve built. It’s incredible for them to experience this while we’re still here creating it.
You ladies have performed as a trio for a while now. Tamika, how has it been performing without your sister, LaTocha Scott?
Tamika: In the beginning it was hard because we’ve always been a four-member group. When LaTocha decided to pursue her solo career, we decided to continue the legacy, so we had to figure out how to move forward. And that’s one thing that’s good about Xscape: we all can lead. So, if I miss a show, they’re going to sing down. If anyone misses a show, you’re still going to have that Xscape sound. So, we were blessed to be all lead singers – and that sets us apart and allows us to escape. We can go on with our without an extra person.
Where does your relationship with your sister LaTocha stand right now?
Tamika: I’m just praying, waiting for God to work things out in His timing – not mine.
Did she ever pay you back that infamous $30K that she allegedly stole from you?
Tamika: What you think?
You both have families now. How do you balance your touring schedules with motherhood?
Kandi: It’s all about balance. When the kids are in school, they don’t come with me on the road, but if it’s during a break or the summer, they join us. I’ve become the queen of super early flights! I make sure to do my work, then get on the first flight out to be home as early as possible so I can spend time with them before they wake up and we can have a normal day.
Congratulations on everything you currently have going on including your Broadway play Othello Kandi, and your new candle line, Scoop and Wick, Tanika. Tell us more Tamika.
Tamika: Thank you! Scoop and Wick is a dessert-inspired candle line. The cool thing about it is that it’s a 2-in-1 candle that melts down into a massage oil. It’s 100% vegan and soy, so it’s good for the environment and great for your skin. I’m all about creating products that are fun and functional, and this is one of those things I’m really excited about. You can find it at scoopandwick.com.
Tamika: As far as our legacy, we want to show people that we were just regular girls who wanted this so bad. We worked hard for it, and it paid off, and we still work to this day. Like Kandi said earlier, we were excited when we were younger and we’re even more excited now. It’s definitely a blessing. We want to inspire especially Black girls to keep pushing, no matter what. We want to let them know that whatever you put your heart in and you work [hard], I don’t care if you get a “no” you continue to keep going and you’ll eventually get a yes. We’ve faced a lot of “no’s,” but we received more yes’s than no’s. And look at us today. We’re still here, still thriving, and still blessed.
Last question. What’s still on the bucket list for Xscape?
Tamika: When we were younger, Tiny always talked about touring overseas.
Kandi: Yes, we would like to go overseas. But I think we also want to do Vegas too.
Tamika: Yes!
Kandi: And not just like a one time show, but like a Vegas residency.
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