‘Unsung’ Profiles Xscape Tonight On TV One

Unsung will profile Xscape, the all girls group that was popular in the 1990’s tonight in an new episode. Unsung is a 60-minute tv series that profiles African American singers and groups related to the genres of Soul, R&B, and Gospel. Tonight’s Unsung will chronicle the rise and fall of Xscape. The story will be told through interviews with former members of Xscape, including Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Kandi Burruss.

American R&B group Xscape formed in 1990 and was comprised of four talented singers: Kandi Burruss, Tameka Tiny Cottle, and sisters LaTocha and Tamika Scott. Back in Georgia, the girls attended church together and attended Tri-City High in College Park.

Tamika Scott and her sister, La Tocha, grew up singing in the choir. Later, they met Kandi and realized that they had a lot in common with her. Tiny was brought in later after she passed the audition.

Xscape was finally discovered by Jermaine Dupri while performing at an event. He officially signed them to his label in 1992. From there, the group, who was at one time considered the ghetto version of En Vogue, settled into their own style by taking off the baggy clothing and moving into a style that was more classy and sophisticated.

And as for their music? It was always “on point.” It’s impossible to discuss the 1990’s without talking about Xscape. They saw success with hit songs such as, “Just Kicking it” “Who Can I Run To,” “The Arms of the One Who Loves You,” and “My Little Secret.”

Unfortunately, there was a price to pay for all of their success as their friendship took a hit when jealousy began setting in. LaTocha Scott stated that Kandi, who started out as the lead singer in the group, grew insecure about LaTocha suddenly taking center stage, often asking Jermaine Dupri if he was grooming her to be the lead singer. Despite Kandi’s sexual relationship with Dupri, LaTocha Scott emerged as the star of the group due to her fierce vocals.

In the end, Xscape broke up due to all the in-fighting. After the group disbanded, Kandi Burruss went on to write songs for high profile artists, and later became a household name with her debut on the show Real Housewives of Atlanta. Tiny raised a family and has her own reality show. The other group members have been mostly absent from the public eye, except for a few performances here and there. Since the breakup, fans have been begging Xscape members to do a reunion with all four girls in the group.

Kandi had been opposed to the idea of a reunion because she is angry at former group member Tamika Scott. In an interview with Sway in 2013, Kandi stated that Tamika Scott lied about her (Kandi) sleeping her way to the top, and stated that she was especially perturbed that Tamika Scott had included men on the list that had never been her lovers. Kandi Burruss has readily admitted to having sex with former boss Jermaine Dupri, but stated that it was only to satisfy her curiosity about him since she heard that he was good in bed—never for any sort of advancement in her career.

Despite their problems, Xscape fans are hopeful that they will be able to put their differences aside and do one more come back performance. By 2015, Kandi had softened up a bit on the idea of a possible reunion, stating that she had been approached about an Xscape reunion, but that nothing is definite. Tune in tonight at 8/7 central to see how TV One’s Unsung producers portray the story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2vh5XAJnLI

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