Crafting a composition isn't simple. Everyone musically involved within the song including the producer, the artist performing the track, to even the engineer is instrumental in developing a masterpiece. However, the ingredient that is substantial and vital to the song's existence is of course, the songwriter. While some artists fancy the plush lifestyle and having their fans living vicariously through them, others rather remain inconspicuously behind closed doors. That's the beauty of songwriting. Just ask Kandi Burruss - illustrious songwriter that has penned classical melodies ranging from TLC's "No Scrubs." to Destiny's Child "Bills, Bills, Bills." With a resume that includes Whitney Houston, Usher, Boyz II Men, and N-Sync, it's apparent someone isn't having any problems paying their Bills, Bills, Bills.
Before Kandi entered the scene as a songwriter, she originally was a member of classic 90's group Xscape - an R&B female group which was able to reach platinum status on all three of their albums.
After being discovered by music mogul Jermaine Dupri at show in Atlanta, Kandi's original members consisting of Tamika Scott, Latocha Scott, and Tameka "Tiny" Cottle, and herself, leapfrogged at the opportunity instantly, and were presented the chance of signing with his label So So Def. The group that originated together back in 9th grade was now ready to make a splash in the music industry.
"It was December of my 11th grade year, and we had already done the talent showcase on Teen Summit. It was clip on Teen Summit, and he {Jermaine} had already seen us on time," recollects Kandi. But when he saw that, he was like, "Yo. Yall the ghetto En Vogue. I'ma sign ya'll.'" So we were hyped."
Immediately after the ink dried on that new music contract, Kandi and her girls headed to the studio. Their debut album entitled, "Hummin' Comin' At Cha" was a success as they were able to dish out two top 10 singles including their debut "Just Kickin' It", and their follow up single "Understanding", after taking only a week and a half to complete it.
'Like he {Jermaine} had put us with the mentality that we had to do a song a day. So like for me, when I hear people like "Oh yeah. I recorded 60 songs." I'm thinking you recorded 60 songs, and you don't have a hit yet. You're wack!" (laughs).
The group steamrolling through the avenues of R&B flawlessly, after gaining 2 more platinum albums, in "Off the Hook", and "Traces of My Lipstick". As success flooded throughout the group, dilemmas began to occur. With Tasha seeking to go solo, rumors began plaguing the chemistry of the group, tension began to sparse up. With the group possibly disparaging with the notion of Tasha departing, Kandi huddled up with Tiny, and opted to do a demo together to present to the label.
"To Tiny I was like, "How about we start writing songs for our project, and we could present it to the label to show them what we can do.," said Kandi. Lets us do an album if you're going let her do one. Lets us do one."
A track that appeared on Kandi and Tiny's demo was "No Scrubs" - a track which captured the eyes of the labels executives instantly upon hearing it. The song would be passed down to TLC, and would garner national acclaim, and catapult Kandi's career as a songwriter.
"The break up {of Xscape} let me know you can't depend on anybody else. You gotta take the initiative on your own to do things. If we would have just sat around, and waited for her {Tasha} to come back, then what would have happened to us," Kandi declared presumptuously. Or at least, what would have happened to me. What would I have been doing?"
With the break up serving as a learning experience, Kandi gained her independence, and segued into songwriting, and became a prominent entity in the game. She would venture into a solo career by later releasing her debut album Hey Kandi in 2001 under Columbia Records spawning a top 25 pop hit with "Don't Think I'm Not".
The praises would continue to parade Kandi as she was awarded the prestigious ASCAP Songwriter for the Year award in 2000, and would later become the first woman to win under the category of Rhythm and Blues and 2001.
With Kandi having enjoyed the fruits of both music, and songwriting, she remains a love for both, and admits to both having their faults.
"I LOVE writing songs because like I could write any type of music. I don't have to stick into one lane as a writer. As an artist, they want you to stay in one lane. As a writer, I could make rock music today. I could write a pop record, a techno record, country, anything. But, as an aritst, I would have not been able to do that. Same time, when I hanged out with my friends at their shows, I would be like, "Man I miss this," she said.
Kandi also has took a step into reality television as she earned a starring slot as a member of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" which only helped elevate her stature in the industry, as people were able to see her in a different light.
Everything Kandi has touched appeared to be golden, as she even made a return to the music scene earlier this year with her album Kandi Coated and was able to touch on relationship in every facet imaginable with people like Ne-Yo, and The Justice League lending their hands on recent effort. With Kandi touching base on every field in the game, it's easy to see that her life can only get sweeter from here.
By: Carl Lamarre
No comments:
Post a Comment