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Kandi Information
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'Kandi Burruss' (born May 17, 1976; also known just as Kandi) is an American R&B singer/songwriter.
She first entered professional music in 1992 as a singer in the successful vocal group Xscape. Burrus sang lead on hits such as "Just Kickin' It" and "Who Can I Run To," as well as wrote their early hits, including "Feel So Good" and "Can't Hang." After the group dissolved in the late 90s, Burruss continued as a songwriter.
Her most notable work is the TLC hit "No Scrubs," which won the 2000 Grammy Award for Best R&B Song, a songwriting award. She was also recognized as the ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Award for Songwriter of the Year. She has continued to write for a number of pop and R&B artists. In 2000 she wrote "Bills, Bills, Bills" and "Bug-a-Boo," singles from Destiny's Child's The Writing's on the Wall album. She has also written for *NSYNC, Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men, Faith Evans, and Alicia Keys. Many of her works were co-written and produced by her husband, Kevin "Shekspere" Briggs.
In 2000, Burruss signed to Columbia Records as a recording artist under the stage name Kandi. She released her first single as a soloist, "Don't Think I'm Not," in the summer of that year to fair success. The song peaked at #32 at R&B, and performed even better at pop radio (peaking at #12 on the Top 40 Mainstream chart) and the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at #24. Her debut album, Hey Kandi... peaked at #72 on the Billboard Hot 200 and sold reasonably well in its first few months on the chart. Her second single, "Cheatin' on Me," performed well in the underground arena especially the remix version featuring rapper 50cent.
Seasoned for her solo debut with a string of hits for other artist, Kandi released Hey Kandi, a Billboard Top 100 solo album, in 2000. The album included the US Top 100 Hit, Dont Think Im Not, which went on to become a gold single in Australia and also the underground ladies heartbreak anthem Cheatin On Me, both of which helped establish Kandi as an international superstar. Following her solo success, Kandi again focused her talents on writing collaborating with some of the worlds largest artists. Her work with Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Destinys Child, TLC, Monica, LSG, N*SYNC, Pink, Boyz II Men, B2K and Alicia Keys has propelled her name to the top of many artists songwriters list and help sell at least 54 million records.
After spending a few years writing for others, Kandi decided, in 2005, that she still has some needs to fulfill. With a solo debut that received rave media reviews but still did not land Kandi her much deserving top of the sales chart status, she now aims for number one. The release of her sophomore effort through Upfront Records brainchild of Artist Developer/Choreographer extraordinaire, Devyne Stephens, marks an exciting new chapter in Kandis career. An album that incorporates an eclectic recipe of Hip/Hip, Soul, and R&B Kandi strives to give her listeners many different flavors. Known for her candid, in-your-face lyrics, this humble writing sensation sets out to dominate a spot at the top-of-the-charts. Since I love fast melodies which remind many of rap/singing people have got this misconception that I may not be able to really sing. On her forthcoming album, Kandi holds nothing backa welcomed surprise to the low-singing alto presented in Xscapes string of 90s hits.
The first release from her upcoming album entitled I Need features production by Rodney Don Vito Richard and an appearance by the Bad Boy South duo Eightball and MJG. With this radio friendly release Kandi certainly proves that even though she has been out of the public eye for a few years she has not lost her touch. With lines such as I need a drink for all of my troublesI need a man to give me some loving so I can stop being so uptight, Kandi delivers a sensational laid back ladies anthem which will unquestionably have listeners yearning for more. I have so many things that have affected me in the past few years and it has certainly made me grow in all I do. The lyrics I write, the concepts I come up with, and my vocals have all grown, stated Kandi.
With the absence of her production partner Kevin Shekspere Briggs, many may wonder if Kandi still has the capability to produce hits that millions have come to love. Undoubtedly, with one listen to her new single, I Need, listeners will no longer question the viability of this hit-making diva. Kandi is back! The name is still sweet! And this breathtaking singer/songwriter, who was the first woman to earn the ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Songwriter of the Year Award, certainly has something sweet for everyone to listen to.
Discography
Albums
*Hey Kandi... US: #72
Singles
* "Don't Think I'm Not" R&B: #32 US: #24 UK: #9
* "Cheatin' on Me" R&B: #92
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