27 May Kandi Burruss talks Kandi Koated LP, songwriting, reality shows & R&B girl groups

Kandi Burruss first rose to prominance as a member of moderately successful '90s r&b female group Xscape. Best known for debut single Just Kickin' It (and personal favourite My Little Secret), the So So Def collective also featured on Lil Bow Wow's debut album 'Beware of Dog' alongside Da Bratt on Bounce Wit' Me. Following the group's split, Kandi released a solo album entitled 'Eye Kandi' lead by well-received single 'Don't Think I'm Not'. Although the album underperformed, the absolute opposite can be said of her multiaward winning songwriting credentials. Kandi along with her pen crafted a string of genuine smash-hits that helped launch hugely successful careers via female-empowering R&B anthems including Pink's "There You Go" and Destiny's Child's first number 1 "Bills, Bills, Bills", as well as TLC's record-breaking comeback "No Scrubs". She introduced slang terms such as "scrub", "trifilin'" & "bug-a-boo" to the world causing males to question their swagg' as evidenced by response songs from Sporty Thieves namely the unforgettable 'No Pigeons'. Nowadays, Kandi can be viewed on hit US reality show The Real Housewives of Atlanta and released Kandi Koated - her first album since 2001's Eye Kandi. SoulCulture spoke with Kandi to discuss her hiatus, the lack of girl groups in R&B, why she'd enter shows like X-Factor and American Idol, the impact her ex-fiance's murder had on her latest album Kandi Koated and becoming disillusioned with music. Oh and "No Scrubs", obviously.