Tamika Scott

Last updated

Tamika Scott
Born (1974-11-19) November 19, 1974 (age 50)
Occupations
  • Singer-songwriter
  • actress
Years active1990–present
Spouses
  • Darius Byas
    (m. 1994-2000)
  • Darnell Winston
    (m. 2004)
Children3
Relatives LaTocha Scott (sister)
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentVocals
Labels
Website Official Website

Tamika Scott (born November 19, 1974) [1] is an American singer-songwriter, actress, and ordained minister. [2] She rose to fame in the early 1990s as a member of Xscape. Scott sang lead on the group's singles "Love on My Mind", "Who Can I Run To", and "The Arms of the One Who Loves You", the latter two which peaked in the Billboard Hot 100 and became earn platinum and gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America. [3] [4] During the group's hiatus, Scott ventured into acting. She appeared in Tyler Perry's stage production Meet the Browns in 2004.

Contents

Scott reunited with Xscape in 2017 for their The Great Xscape Tour. After the group downsized to a trio in 2018, performing as Xscap3. As a member of Xscap3, the group released an extended play Here for It (2018). In 2019, Scott released her debut extended play, Family Affair. She also debuted her line of seasonings called Southern Fuse along with her cookbook "Table Set: A Taste of South in Your Mouth". [5]

Throughout her career, Scott has sold over 9.8 million records with Xscape. Her work with the group has earned her several and nominations, including a Soul Train Music Award, a Black Music Honors Lifetime Achievement Award, an honorary Soul Train Lady of Soul Award.

Early life

Tamika Scott was born on November 19, 1974, College Park, Georgia to Gloria McFarlin, a teacher, and Randolph Scott, a pastor and former singer in the R&B group The Scott Three. [2] Tamika's older sister, LaTocha Scott, is also a singer and a member of Xscape. At an early age, Scott was encouraged to sing in church and local talent shows. [2] Scott attended to Tri-Cities High School, where she graduated from in 1993. [6]

Career

1990–1999: Xscape

In 1990, Xscape was formed by Kandi Burruss, Tamera Coggins, Tameka Cottle, sisters LaTocha Scott and Tamika Scott. The group met while attending Tri-Cities High School in East Point, Georgia. [7] In 1991, they were invited to sing at Jermaine Dupri's birthday party. [7] Dupri eventually signed the group to his record label So So Def. In August 1993, the group released their debut single "Just Kickin' It". They released their debut album Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha in October 1993, which established the group as a viable act in the music industry. The group released their platinum-selling second album Off the Hook in 1995. The album featured songs such as "Feels So Good" and Who Can I Run To, the latter of which features Scott on shared lead vocals and became a platinum-selling single. Off the Hook won a Soul Train Music Award for R&B/Soul Album of the Year – Group, Band or Duo in 1996.

In April 1998, the group released the single "The Arms of the One Who Loves You", which features Scott on co-lead vocals. The song became a top-ten Billboard Hot 100 song and sold over 800,000 copies in the United States, [8] earning a gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). [3] [4] When the third album Traces of My Lipstick was released in May 1998, Scott's elder sister LaTocha announced her plans to go solo. The album peaked at number twenty-eight on the U.S. Billboard 200 and eventually earned a platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America in 1999. The album also spawned another Billboard Hot 100 song "My Little Secret", [4] which became certified gold in the US. [3] In 2000, the group went on a hiatus to pursue solo careers.

2000–2016: Solo career

In 1998, Scott began recording a gospel album. [9] [2] The album included collaborations with BeBe & CeCe Winans. [9] When Xscape briefly reformed in 2000, Scott abandoned the project and the album remained shelved. In 2004, Scott pursued an acting career. In August 2004, she appeared as the character Milay Brown in Meet the Browns , an American stage play written and directed by Tyler Perry.

In 2005, Scott reformed Xscape with original members Tameka Cottle and LaTocha Scott, along with new member Kiesha Miles. The group recorded an full album titled Unchained but the album was shelved after the release of a single "What's Up", which failed to chart and received minor radio airplay. The group also did a few concert performances before disbanding by 2006. In 2007, Scott released a song titled Greatest Gift on the soundtrack of American romantic comedy-drama film Daddy's Little Girls . [10] She also co-wrote and produced "Step Aside" by Yolanda Adams as well as "Struggle No More (The Main Event)" by Anthony Hamilton, which appeared on the same soundtrack. She released the titled-track for the soundtrack of comedy-drama film Why Did I Get Married? , released in October 2007. [10]

In 2009, Scott appeared a single titled "Pull On My Weave" by singer Phoenix the Fire Starter. In 2010, Scott released a single titled "Say Aah. In February 2013, LaTocha Scott and Tamika Scott performed as Xscape at the So So Def 20th Anniversary Concert. [11] In 2015, the original members of Xscape appeared in an episode of music documentary Unsung . The episode chronicled the group's success as well as internal turmoil.

2017–present: Reunion with Xscape and other projects

On June 25, 2017, Xscape reunited and performed at BET Awards 2017, marking their first performance together in eighteen years. [12] In November 2017, the group embarked on their headlining tour The Great Xscape Tour. [13] In late 2017, Xscape premiered their own reality show titled Xscape: Still Kickin' It on Bravo network. [14] The reality show was centered around the group resolving internal conflicts, preparation and rehearsals for their upcoming tour, and personal endeavors. The group downsized to a trio after fellow member Burruss departed and the remaining members began performing as Xscap3. [6] In March 2018, Xscap3 released an extended play titled Here for It , [15] which spawned two singles: "Wifed Up" and "Dream Killa". [16] [17]

In December 2019, Scott released an extend play titled Family Affair, which featured the singles "Almost Over" and "Go Outside in the Rain". [6] In 2021, Scott launched her brand of food seasonings titled Southern Fuse. [5] In August 2022, Scott released her cookbook "Table Set: A Taste of South in Your Mouth". In April 2023, Scott released a single titled "Tonight".

Personal life

In 1994, Scott gave birth to her first child O'Shun Reney, to Darius Byas. [18] Scott revealed on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen that when she got pregnant while in Xscape, her producers threatened to kick her out of the group if she didn't have an abortion. [19] She refused and had her daughter Oshun. [19] Later in 1994, Scott married Byas. In 1999, she gave birth to their second child Taniyah. In the early 2000, Scott divorced Byas. In 2004, she married bodyguard Darnell Winston. In July 2013, Scott gave birth to their daughter.

Discography

Extended plays

TitleDetails
Family Affair

Singles

Soundtrack appearances

YearSongAlbum
2007"Greatest Gift" Daddy's Little Girls
"Why Did I Get Married?" Why Did I Get Married?

Filmography

Film appearances
YearTitleRole
2020Conundrum: Secrets Among Friends
Television appearances
YearTitleRoleNotes
1994 The All-New Mickey Mouse Club Herself as a Guest MousketeerThe Guest Day Episode of Season 7
2017Xscape: Still Kickin' ItHerselfMain cast
2023SWV & Xscape: The Queens of R&BHerselfMain Cast

Theatre and musical

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SWV</span> American R&B vocal group

SWV is an American R&B vocal trio from New York City whose members are Cheryl (Coko) Gamble, Tamara (Taj) George, and Leanne (Lelee) Lyons. Formed in 1988 as a gospel group, SWV became one of the most successful R&B groups of the 1990s. They had a series of hits, including "Weak", "Right Here ", "I'm So into You", and "You're the One". The group disbanded in 1998 to pursue solo projects and reunited in 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jermaine Dupri</span> American record producer (born 1972)

Jermaine Dupri Mauldin is an American record producer, rapper, songwriter, music executive, and entrepreneur. Raised in Atlanta, Georgia, as the son of Columbia Records executive Michael Mauldin, he began his career in music production at the age of nine. He discovered the teen hip hop duo Kris Kross in 1991. Dupri wrote and produced their 1992 single "Jump," which peaked atop the Billboard Hot 100 and was named the 23rd most successful song of that decade. He established his own record label, So So Def Recordings in a joint venture with Columbia the following year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">702 (group)</span> American girl group

702 is an American musical girl group whose most notable line-up consisted of LeMisha Grinstead, Irish Grinstead, and Meelah Williams. The group began their musical career as Sweeter than Sugar, formed in 1993 in Las Vegas. After years of limited success, the original quartet comprising LeMisha Grinstead, Irish Grinstead, Orish Grinstead, and Amelia Cruz were signed in 1995 to Biv 10 Records as 702. The group first had mainstream success following the release of their 1996 single, "Steelo".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ciara</span> American singer (born 1985)

Ciara Princess Wilson is an American singer and songwriter. She was discovered by record producer Jazze Pha in the early 2000s, and rose to prominence with her debut studio album, Goodies (2004). Its namesake lead single peaked atop the Billboard Hot 100, while the follow-ups, "1, 2 Step" and "Oh", both peaked at number two on the chart. The album received quadruple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and received two nominations at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards. Ciara also guest appeared on the 2005 singles "Lose Control" by Missy Elliott and "Like You" by Bow Wow, both of which peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kandi Burruss</span> American TV personality, singer-songwriter (born 1976)

Kandi Burruss, known professionally by her mononym Kandi, is an American actress, businesswoman, dancer, producer, singer, songwriter, and television personality. She first gained notice in 1992 as a member of the multi-platinum R&B female vocal group Xscape. As a songwriter, she has received writing credits on the singles "Bills, Bills, Bills" by Destiny's Child, "There You Go" by Pink, "Break Up with Your Girlfriend, I'm Bored" by Ariana Grande, and "Shape of You" by Ed Sheeran. In 2000, she won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song for her work on the TLC hit song "No Scrubs".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jagged Edge (American group)</span> American R&B group from Georgia

Jagged Edge is an American R&B group from Atlanta, Georgia. The group, initially signed to record producer Jermaine Dupri's So So Def Recordings, is best known for their string of hit singles including "Let's Get Married" and "Where the Party At", most of which were produced by Dupri. The group's members include identical twin lead singers Brian and Brandon Casey as well as Richard Wingo and Kyle Norman. The group's debut album, A Jagged Era (1997), performed modestly at the time of its release but achieved gold status; however, their subsequent albums until 2007 all became commercial successes—debuting within the top 10 of the Billboard 200.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Floetry</span> English R&B duo

Floetry were an English R&B duo comprising Marsha Ambrosius and Natalie Stewart. The group recorded two studio albums, one live album, and sold over 1,500,000 records worldwide. Formed in 1997, Floetry started on the performance poetry stage. They have worked with many US musicians and artists including: Jill Scott, Queen Latifah, Michael Jackson, Common, The Roots, Bilal, and more founders of neo soul.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karen Clark Sheard</span> American gospel singer (born 1960)

Karen Valencia Clark Sheard is an American gospel singer and songwriter. Clark-Sheard is the youngest member of gospel group the Clark Sisters, which was formed in 1973. She is also the mother of contemporary gospel singer and actress Kierra "Kiki" Sheard, with whom she frequently collaborates. She has released five solo albums and 17 with the Clark Sisters.

Tameka Dianne Cottle-Harris, known professionally by her nickname Tiny, is an American singer-songwriter. She rose to fame in the 1990s as a member of the multi-platinum R&B vocal group Xscape. She received a Grammy Award for her writing contributions on the TLC hit "No Scrubs". Cottle is also known for her marriage to T.I. She acquired the nickname "Tiny" due to her small stature of 4'11".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Who Can I Run To</span> 1995 single by Xscape

"Who Can I Run To?" is a song originally recorded by American girl group The Jones Girls, for their eponymous album released in 1979. The song was covered and made popular by American girl group Xscape, who recorded the song for their second album Off the Hook (1995). The song was released as the album's second single on October 3, 1995, in the United States, by So So Def Recordings. The song features lead vocals by LaTocha Scott and Tamika Scott.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Understanding (song)</span> 1993 single by Xscape

"Understanding" is a song by American R&B group Xscape. Written by Manuel Seal, the song was released as the group's second single from the group's 1993 debut album Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha. The song reached number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100 and spent two weeks at number one on the Hot R&B Singles chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Just Kickin' It</span> 1993 single by Xscape

"Just Kickin' It" is a song by American R&B group Xscape. Written by Jermaine Dupri and Manuel Seal, the song was released in August 1993 by So So Def and Columbia as Xscape's first single from the group's debut album, Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha (1993). The single became the group's most commercially successful hit, peaking at number one on the US Cash Box Top 100, number two on the Billboard Hot 100, and spending four weeks at number one on the Hot R&B Singles chart.

<i>Hummin Comin at Cha</i> 1993 studio album by Xscape

Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha is the debut studio album by American R&B group Xscape. Released on October 12, 1993, by So So Def Recordings and Columbia Records, the album produced the singles "Just Kickin' It", "Understanding", "Love on My Mind" and “Tonight”, and peaked at number 17 on the Billboard 200 and number 3 on the U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart, becoming certified platinum by the RIAA with sales over one million copies sold.

<i>Off the Hook</i> (Xscape album) 1995 studio album by Xscape

Off the Hook is the second studio album by American R&B group Xscape. It was released on July 11, 1995, through So So Def Recordings and Sony Music Entertainment. The album was produced by Jermaine Dupri, Organized Noize, and Daryl Simmons and features a guest appearance by MC Lyte. Off the Hook was preceded by the release of four singles — "Feels So Good", "Who Can I Run To" and "Can't Hang/Do You Want To".

<i>Traces of My Lipstick</i> 1998 studio album by Xscape

Traces of My Lipstick is the third studio album by American R&B group Xscape. The album was released on May 12, 1998, through So So Def Recordings and Sony Music Entertainment. The album was preceded by the release of three singles: "The Arms of the One Who Loves You", "My Little Secret" and "Softest Place on Earth".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jhené Aiko</span> American R&B singer (born 1988)

Jhené Aiko Efuru Chilombo is an American R&B singer-songwriter and rapper from Los Angeles, California. Aiko embarked on her musical career in 2002, as a backing vocalist and music video performer for the R&B group B2K. She was signed by their record label, The Ultimate Group that same year and was marketed as the "cousin" of B2K member Lil' Fizz to cultivate her own following, although they are not related. Her debut album, slated for a 2003 release through the label with Epic Records, was shelved due to Aiko instead further pursuing her education.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xscape (group)</span> American R&B group

Xscape is an American girl group from Atlanta, Georgia, formed in 1990 by Kandi Burruss, Tamera Coggins, Tameka "Tiny" Cottle, LaTocha Scott, and Tamika Scott. The following year, Coggins left the group and Xscape became a quartet. They were discovered by Jermaine Dupri who signed the group to his So So Def label. The group released their debut album Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha in 1993, which spawned two top-ten Billboard Hot 100 hits, "Just Kickin' It" and "Understanding". The album sold over one million copies in the United States, earning a platinum-certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xscape discography</span>

American girl group Xscape has released three studio albums, two compilation albums, one extended play, and twenty singles, including four as featured artists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LaTocha Scott</span> American singer-songwriter

LaTocha Reney Scott-Bivens, also known by her mononym LaTocha, is an American R&B and Gospel singer, songwriter, and occasional actress. She is best known as a member of the multi-platinum selling R&B group Xscape, who rose to popularity in the 1990s.

<i>Here for It</i> 2018 EP by Xscape

Here for It is the first extended play (EP) from American recording R&B girl group Xscape. The EP was released on March 2, 2018, through RedZone Entertainment. This is Xscape's first release in twenty years and as a trio.

References

  1. "Tamika Scott". IMDb. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Bogdanov, Vladimir (2003). "Xscape". All Music Guide to Soul: The Definitive Guide to R&B and Soul. p. 772. ISBN   978-0-87930-744-8 . Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 Xscape Gold & Platinum Certifications. Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved on May 24, 2024
  4. 1 2 3 Xscape Billboard Chart History. Billboard. Retrieved on May 24, 2024
  5. 1 2 Southern Fuse Home Page. Southern Fuse. Retrieved on May 31, 2024
  6. 1 2 3 Tamika Scott Biography. All Music. Retrieved on May 31, 2024
  7. 1 2 Xscape Biography. All Music. Retrieved on May 24, 2024
  8. "Best-Selling Records of 1998". Billboard . Vol. 111, no. 5. BPI Communications Inc. January 30, 1999. p. 75. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  9. 1 2 Smith, Shawnee (April 25, 1998). "Xscape reveals warm maturity on new So So Def Release". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 17. p. 24. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  10. 1 2 Tamika Scott Credits. AllMusic. Retrieved on May 31, 2024
  11. So So Def 20th Anniversary Concert. Capture Life Through the Lens. Retrieved on May 24, 2024
  12. "Xscape performs hit medleys". BET. Archived from the original on June 27, 2017.
  13. "Xscape Tour". Great Xscape Tour.
  14. Xscape Still Kickin' It. Bravo TV. Retrieved on May 24, 2024
  15. "Here For It – EP by Xscape". iTunes Store (U.S.). Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  16. "Dream Killa - Single by Xscape on Apple Music". iTunes Store (U.S.). Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  17. "Wifed Up - Single by Xscape on Apple Music". iTunes Store (U.S.). Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  18. Randolph, Elizabeth (March 10, 2023). "Tamika Scott and Her Husband Have Tyler Perry to Thank for Nearly 20 Years of Marriage". Distractify. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  19. 1 2 "Tamika Scott Reveals She Was Pressured to Have an Abortion During the Height of Xscape's Success". Bravo TV Official Site. November 13, 2017. Retrieved March 27, 2018.