Or is it the third time around?
Kandi Burruss may have started her musical journey as a key member of the now-defunct Jermaine Dupri-produced girl group, Xscape, but her career in the music business certainly did not end with the demise of the group.
After dropping a slow-selling solo record in 2000 (Sony’s Hey Kandi), the Atlanta resident wisely stayed in touch with some key players in the music business, including heavyweights like Jermaine Dupri and Lil’ Jon. Those friendships, and her natural talents as a singer and songwriter, helped her win a ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Songwriter of The Year Award back in the late 1990s.
Burruss has penned huge hits for many R&B superstars, including Destiny’s Child’s “Bug a Boo” and TLC’s “No Scrubs.”
She also worked with and/or wrote songs for artists like Pink, Mariah Carey, N*Sync, Whitney Houston, Usher, Boyz II Men and more.
The Grammy-winner (for "No Scrubs" in 1999) is now back on the scene after her star turn on E-40’s smash hit “U & Dat.”
Her new still untitled, sophomore project, on DeVyne Stephens fledgling indie imprint, Upfront Records has no release date yet--but Lil Jon.and Akon are helping Burruss out on the new disc, so you know it’s sure to get airplay when it eventually drops.
Fans can hear some of Kandi’s new material, including the fantastic “Keep It Gangsta”, featuring rapper Lil Scrappy, on her Myspace page.
CraveOnline: It's been over six years since the release of your first, and only, solo album, Hey Kandi. What exactly have you been up to during this lengthy musical hiatus?
Kandi Girl: In the last six years, I've become a mom and have been raising my daughter, Riley. I also have still been writing for other artist(s), and also (have) involved myself in a couple of projects that didn't pan out.
CO: I understand that a new album is finally on the horizon. What can you tell us so far about this new effort? How, in your own words, does it either differ and/or compare to that of your first release?
KG: Well, this album has a lot of personal stories on it so far. I think it’s a lot different from the last album. The last album to me had a lot of pop appeal to it because Shekspere and I had been doing a lot of pop songs at the time for other people, and I think it just kind of spilled over into my album. Another difference is that I only had one guest appearance on (the) last one, and I got at least four or five artists doing songs with me on this album. Also, I think lyrically I've always been described as edgy, but I'm even more edgy with this album.
CO: Initially, how did you come to the attention of DeVyne Stephens, ultimately inking with his independent label?
KG: Well, he came to me about writing a song ("Can’t Get No Ooh Wee”) for that girl Tyra, who had the Country Boy record out. So, when we met he started asking me about how he could get me out of retirement, and it went from there.
CO: Who did you work with in terms of production for this upcoming new project?
KG: I'm totally involved. I pick all the tracks and write, or co-write, all the songs except the one that Jagged Edge wrote. So far, the producers are Akon, Jagged Edge, Don Vito, Focus, Tricky Stewart, G-Phonics, and I still have to go in the studio with Lil Jon.
CO: Aside from the producers, are there any other special guest appearances, favorite tracks, etc. that you'd like to point out at this time?
KG: 8Ball & MJG, Jagged Edge, Lil Scrappy, Akon, and Monica are on the album so far, but you never know what songs are definitely gonna make it until it’s all said and done.
CO: For those who do not know your whole back-story, tell us about how you got into music.
KG: Well, I became interested in singing when I was in middle school. One of my home-girls wanted to try out for the performing arts program at Tri-Cities High School of Visual and Performing Arts. She asked me to go with her so she wouldn't be by herself. I got in, and she didn't, and that's where I met LaTocha & Tamika Scott and Xscape got started.
CO: Who were your influences growing up?
KG: I loved Stephanie Mills, Regina Belle, and Anita Baker, when I was little.
CO: I understand that you are also interested in acting?
KG: Yes, I want to do movies, and maybe write a book later on. I would also like to go to culinary arts school, so that I can make all the food I see in some of those exclusive restaurants.
CO: Since everyone either knows you already, or will become familiar with you, for and through your music, what would you want these same people to know about Kandi that they won’t get from listening to your record(s)?
KG: Hmm, I don't know. I think from listening to my records, you can tell I am a very straightforward, sometimes brutally honest, person. That is important to know because sensitive people can’t hang with me really. The funny thing is, I have an extremely sensitive side, too, and people who get close to me see that.
CO: And, those same people, what would they find you doing in your free time?
KG: Fridays, I usually have my movie club. That's a small group of me and my friends who love movies. We go eat and to the movies together every Friday. We kind of fell off lately though. Saturdays, my daughter [Riley] and I kick it, and do whatever she wants to do. Sundays, I go to my aunt Bertha's -- That's where me and a lot of my relatives on my mom's side of the family eat and gamble. I love to gamble!!
CO: What has been your biggest career achievement to date?
KG: I probably would say winning the ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Songwriter of the Year Award, because I was the first woman to get it. But, it was also exciting when Xscape's first album went platinum.
CO: Looking ahead, where do you see yourself in a five to 10 year time frame?\
KG: Well, hopefully married, with a successful publishing company, with a lot of hot hit making writers signed to me, and a lot more Grammy’s and #1 records under my belt!! Oh yeah, and a few movies (too) -- Mainly somewhere just enjoying life.
CO: As for the immediate future, what’s next for you? Your first single & video, "I Need," featuring 8Ball & MJG, is out now, correct? And, your sophomore album is slated for release when?
KG: Well, we're not doing a video for “I Need,” and we don't have a release date yet. DeVyne just worked out something between Upfront & BME, Lil Jon's label, so that my record will be a joint venture between the two of them. So, the first thing is just finishing up the album, and everything else is being worked out right now.
CO: You're were on the last E-40 single, "U & Dat," alongside T. Pain, and also crafted an answer song to the Ghostface/Ne-Yo track, "Back Like Dat" -- What prompted you to record a reply? And, how did the vocal work with 40 Water come about?
KG: Well, the “Back Like Dat” was just something I did for a mix-tape. I liked the song, so I just did it. As far as the E-40 song, Lil Jon just called me to the studio to get on it, and I did. I had already did some other songs for some other artist for him, so we have a good working relationship.
CO: You and your musical partner, Kevin 'Shekspere' Briggs, together are responsible for creating a number of hit singles, most notably TLC's smash, "No Scrubs," among others -- Are the two of you still working in conjunction with one another? If so, how come it's been so long since the masses have heard anything from you all?
KG: Well, we stopped working together years ago. To be honest, I don't think Shekspere is even doing music anymore. He's really into real estate now.
CO: And, last, but certainly not, least -- Do you stay in contact with any of the girls from Xscape?? If so, when was the last time you conversed with, either, Tamika, Latocha, and/or Tiny?? And, there has been a lot of talking lately, so is there any chance of an Xscape reunion project and/or tour, anytime soon?
KG: I still talk to Tiny on the regular. I just talked to her yesterday. I bumped into Tamika at a concert this past summer, and we spoke briefly. And, I don't remember the last time I talked to Tocha. As far as a reunion, they did get together without me last year, but it seems they've broke-up again.
CO: Any message for the CraveOnline readership?
KG: Just thanks for even being interested in what’s going on with me!!
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