Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Kandi Burruss

Discover the career path of Kandi Burruss, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Kandi Burruss, or Kandi, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and television personality. She rose to prominence in 1992 as part of the R&B group Xscape. Burruss is also a successful songwriter, having contributed to hits like Destiny's Child's "Bills, Bills, Bills," Pink's "There You Go," Ariana Grande's "Break Up with Your Girlfriend, I'm Bored," and Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You." She won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in 2000 for co-writing TLC's "No Scrubs."

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1992: Gained Notice as Member of Xscape

In 1992, Kandi Burruss gained notice as a member of the multi-platinum R&B female vocal group Xscape.

1992: Xscape Formed

In 1992, Tameka "Tiny" Cottle auditioned, officially forming the group Xscape.

October 12, 1993: Release of Debut Album Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha

On October 12, 1993, Xscape released their debut album, Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha, which became a critical and commercial success.

1995: Release of Second Studio Album Off the Hook

In 1995, Xscape released their second studio album, Off the Hook, which eventually went platinum.

1999: Co-Wrote Hit Songs

In 1999, Kandi Burruss co-wrote, along with Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs, three major hit songs: "No Scrubs" for TLC, "Bills, Bills, Bills" for Destiny's Child, and "There You Go", Pink's debut single.

2000: Release of Debut Album Hey Kandi...

In 2000, Kandi Burruss released her debut album, Hey Kandi..., which spawned the singles "Don't Think I'm Not" and "Cheatin' on Me".

2000: Grammy Award for Best R&B Song

In 2000, Kandi Burruss won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song for her work on the TLC hit song "No Scrubs".

2000: Songwriter of the Year Award

In 2000, Kandi Burruss won the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers's Songwriter of the Year award in the Rhythm & Soul category, becoming the first African-American woman to win the award.

2005: Another Hiatus Until 2005

After Traces of My Lipstick album, the ladies of Xscape regrouped and made appearances on the Big Momma's House and Hardball soundtracks, before going on another hiatus until 2005.

July 2009: Joined The Real Housewives of Atlanta

In July 2009, Kandi Burruss joined The Real Housewives of Atlanta in its second season, replacing DeShawn Snow.

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October 29, 2009: Release of The Fly Above EP

On October 29, 2009, Kandi Burruss released her first EP, The Fly Above EP.

December 2009: Signed Deal with Asylum Records

In December 2009, Kandi Burruss announced she had signed a deal with Asylum Records.

2009: Rewrote and Executive Produced "Tardy for the Party"

In 2009, Kandi Burruss rewrote and executive produced the song "Tardy for the Party" for her Real Housewives of Atlanta co-star Kim Zolciak.

December 2010: Release of Kandi Koated

In December 2010, Kandi Burruss's second album, Kandi Koated, was released. She also teamed with Atlanta female rapper Rasheeda to form the duo Peach Candy.

2012: The Kandi Factory Spin-off

In 2012, Kandi Burruss received the second spin-off from The Real Housewives of Atlanta, The Kandi Factory.

2012: Starred on The Kandi Factory

In 2012, Kandi Burruss starred on The Kandi Factory.

July 2014: Kandi's Wedding Series

In July 2014, Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker aired their spin-off series on Bravo, titled Kandi's Wedding, which aired for five episodes in June and July.

2014: Starred on Kandi's Wedding

In 2014, Kandi Burruss starred on Kandi's Wedding.

2015: Starred on Kandi's Ski Trip

In 2015, Kandi Burruss starred on Kandi's Ski Trip.

2015: Kandi's Ski Trip Special

In 2015, Kandi Burruss's third spin-off series, Kandi's Ski Trip, was a three-part special that aired after the conclusion of the seventh season of The Real Housewives of Atlanta.

November 5, 2017: Premiere of Xscape: Still Kickin' It

On November 5, 2017, the four-episode miniseries Xscape: Still Kickin' It premiered on BravoTV.

2017: Starred on Xscape: Still Kickin' It

In 2017, Kandi Burruss starred on Xscape: Still Kickin' It.

2017: Co-Writing Credit on "Shape of You"

In 2017, Kandi Burruss, along with Tameka "Tiny" Cottle and Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs, was awarded a co-writing credit on Ed Sheeran's song "Shape of You" due to similarities with "No Scrubs".

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2018: Kandi Koated Nights on Television

In 2018, Kandi Burruss and four friends' "sex and relationship" web series Kandi Koated Nights, began airing on television.

April 11, 2019: Guest Judge on RuPaul's Drag Race

On April 11, 2019, Kandi Burruss appeared as a guest judge on the "From Farm to Runway" episode of season 11 of RuPaul's Drag Race.

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2020: Won The Masked Singer

In 2020, Kandi Burruss competed in the third season of The Masked Singer as "Night Angel" and won the competition, becoming the show's first female winner.

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2022: Six Real Housewives Spinoff and Companion Series

As of 2022, Kandi Burruss has appeared in six Real Housewives spinoff and companion series, including Kandi & the Gang, all of which were aired by Bravo.

2022: Starred in Kandi & The Gang

In 2022, Kandi Burruss began starring in Bravo's Kandi & The Gang.

2022: Broadway Production of The Piano Lesson

In 2022, Kandi Burruss worked on the Broadway production of the play The Piano Lesson.

May 2023: Longest-Serving Cast Member

As of May 2023, with the premiere of RHOA's fifteenth season, Kandi Burruss is tied with Teresa Giudice as the longest-serving full-time cast members of the entire Real Housewives franchise.

December 21, 2023: Starred in 'Whatever It Takes'

On December 21, 2023, Kandi Burruss starred in the holiday-themed BET+ original film, 'Whatever It Takes'.

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2023: Tony Award Nomination for The Piano Lesson

In 2023, Kandi Burruss's production work on the 2022 Broadway production of the play The Piano Lesson earned her a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play.

February 2024: Departure from The Real Housewives of Atlanta

In February 2024, Kandi Burruss announced her departure from The Real Housewives of Atlanta.

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2025: Part of the Production Team for Broadway's Othello

In 2025, Kandi Burruss and husband Todd Tucker became part of the production team behind Broadway's Othello, starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal.