R&B singer takes advantage of ‘Housewives’ success

By JONATHAN LANDRUM JR.

ATLANTA — Kandi Burruss is soaking up every moment of her second claim to fame, knowing how fast the limelight can fade away.

“I’m so appreciative of everything I have now,” said Burruss, a member of the defunct 1990s R&B group Xscape, which had hits such as “Understanding” and “Who Can I Run To.”

“When you have success right off the rip, you take it for granted sometimes. I did. I told myself I will never take it for granted again.”

After Xscape broke up, Burruss and group member Tameka “Tiny” Cottle wrote TLC’s hit “No Scrubs.” She has also written music for Mariah Carey, Destiny’s Child and Alicia Keys. But her singing career took a back seat to songwriting, and her celebrity diminished.

Burruss has come back to the limelight, thanks to her success on “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” on Bravo, and she’s grateful to be back in the news.

During a recent interview, the 33-year-old Burruss talked about how the reality show has rejuvenated her music and acting career, and how the recent slaying of her ex-fianc , Ashley “A.J.” Jewell, still brings her to tears.

Q. How has the “Housewives” show helped jump start your career?

A. It gave me a platform to show what I can do. A lot of people knew me from Xscape, but didn’t know what I’ve been doing behind the scenes. It let people know I wanted to act.

Q. You rewrote and produced the song “Tardy For the Party” for your castmate Kim Zolciak. Were you worried about the song failing?

A. It could’ve went either way. It went good but it could’ve been career suicide for me. I’m thankful it turned out all right.

Q. You’re looking to release an album this year. What will be the album title?

A. Now I’m feeling like I should called it “Fly Above.” I’m overcoming stress and drama.

Q. Will you go into depth about your “Housewives” experience and A.J.’s death on the album?

A. Some of the songs were written prior to the show. Half of the songs were written during my relationship with A.J. With the “Housewives” show, you get the visual. So this album is the soundtrack to the show.

Q. How have you able to move forward?

A. Everybody deals with death differently. But for me, I like to stay busy.

Q. Are you still taking care of A.J.’s kids?

A. His twin daughters were living with me until about a week before he passed. I have a great relationship with his daughters. He and I were still cool. So why not? Just because we weren’t in a relationship doesn’t mean I couldn’t care for them. So they stayed with me.

Q. Careerwise, everything is falling into place for you. Are you worried about losing your star appeal again?

A. People ask me, “Why do you take pictures every time?” And I’m like, “Next year, they might not want to take pictures of me.” So I’m using this moment the best that I can. Everything will work out from there.