The early 90s ushered in a lot of hits, especially for acts based out of Atlanta, GA. Super producer and So So Def mogul Jermaine Dupri was gaining notoriety for his mentorship and success with Hip Hop duo Kris Kross, but it was only a matter of time until he discovered five young girls performing at the annual Martin Luther King Festival, later known as the multi-platinum selling group, Xscape.
The original group members started off with sisters LaTocha and Tamika Scott, Kandi Burruss, Tameka “Tiny” Cottle and Tamera Coggins, who would depart from the group prior to the release of their debut album in 1992.
After immediately signing the girls to So So Def after their festival performance, Dupri debuted ‘Xscape’ at his birthday party in 1991. Under the mentorship of Dupri, the following year Xscape released their debut album, Hummin’ Comin’ At “Cha peaking at No. 17 on U.S. Billboard 100 and No. 3 on Top R&B Album charts. Debut singles, “Just Kickin’ It” and “Understanding“ reached pinnacle success when both singles entered the top 10 on the official Top 100 charts, becoming platinum and gold-certified hits.
Riding the wave of fame, in 1998 the group went on to release their second studio album Off The Hook, spawning the lead single “Feels So Good” that hit No. 31 on U.S. Top 100. The second single. “Who Can I Run To” surpassed the quiet success of “Feels So Good,” peaking at No. 8.
Features on MC Lyte‘s “Keep On Keepin’ On,” and soundtracks for movies Love Jones and Soul Food placed Xscape among the highest selling R&B girl groups of the 90s.
Traces Of My Lipstick would be the third and last album recorded with all original group members, selling over a million copies in the U.S. Hit singles, “In The Arms Of The One Who Loves You”and “My Little Secret,” ranked in the Top 10 of the Hot 100 charts, solidifying their legacy in R&B.
HERSource recognizes Xscape as one of the best selling r&b groups of the 90’s, in celebration of Women’s History Month.
