XSCAPE: Back to the 90s

The 90s were filled with love, life, and the pursuit of music. We had various talented artists that just wanted to sing their hearts out. This was also a time where R&B groups prospered the most. To hear amazing voices harmonizing together was something serious. There is one group in particular that we'd love to just kick it with… Xscape! So, kick off your shoes and relax your feet while we party on down through this Xscape beat, keep reading…

Xscape began their career in Atlanta, Georgia in 1992 when Kandi Burruss, Tameka “Tiny” Cottle, LaTocha Scott, Tamera Coggins-Wynn, and Tamika Scott decided to start an R&B group. They were discovered by Jermaine Dupri and signed to So So Def records. The group released their first debut album, Hummin’ Comin’ at ‘Cha, in 1993. This album featured our all-time favorites “Just Kickin It” and “Understanding”. Our love for this album took the group to platinum status by 1994 selling over 30 million records worldwide. This success placed them on The Mask soundtrack as well as an appearance on ”Freedom (Theme from Panther)” in 1995.

Once these ladies hit the stage, it was apparent that they were confident in embracing the sexy side of tomboy; wearing baseball shirts, backward hats, baggy pants, bandanas, and etc. Their presence and voices made it easy for us to drift off into the chill styles of R&B music. Before a performance on Disney, the women spoke about how much they loved performing live because of the crazy response they received from the crowd. Drawing inspiration from Anita Baker, Tina Turner, Patti LaBelle, Whitney Houston and more, these women were unstoppable. Their success continued as they went on to release their second album Off the Hook which included hit single “Who Can I Run To”. The song peaked at No. 8 on the US Hot 100 Charts. Other singles from the album such as “Can’t Hang” featuring MC Lyte and “Do You Want To” quickly followed in topping charts, eventually making this album platinum as well. By 1996, Xscape was nominated for many awards and eventually won the Lady of Soul Award. Other artists such as Mariah Carey and Keith Sweat featured Xscape on their singles adding to their milk and honey.

Up until 2002, Xscape continued in the limelight with more hits including “My Little Secret” and “The Arms of the One Who Loves You”. After their third album Traces of My Lipstick, the group took a hiatus with hopes of making a comeback, but the attempt was not as successful as they imagined. Today, we see the artists in different lights. Tameka “Tiny” Cottle holds the light with rapper T.I. as we watch them in their family success, and she is working with other members from Xscape. Kandi Burruss has made a new name for herself. After her time in the group she went on to write songs for artists such as Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys, Faith Evans, TLC, Destiny’s Child, Boyz II Men and many more. She was later casted for Love and HipHop Atlanta and featured in many other artists songs during the late 2000s. We can also find her in episodes of The Chi. As a whole the group has made reunion appearances and they’ve been interviewed by talk show host Wendy Williams and other media platforms. Tiny, LaTocha, and Tamika formed a subunit called XSCAP3 and released as EP in 2018.

Xscape was and will forever be the dope girl group that had us kicking back and enjoying the ride. Watching their transformation over the years has been amazing and they will remain the women that made us comfortable with being ourselves no matter how we felt, dressed, and appeared. Talented, beautiful, and chill, Xscape was our escape in R&B music.