The Secret Songwriter: 12 Hit Songs You Didn't Know Kandi Burruss Wrote (And The Modern Royalty Checks)

Kandi Burruss is a true multi-hyphenate mogul, but long before she became a reality TV icon on *The Real Housewives of Atlanta* (RHOA), she was a quiet force behind some of the biggest, most iconic R&B and Pop hits of the late 90s and early 2000s. Her pen game is responsible for anthems that defined a generation, earning her a Grammy Award and a place in music royalty. As of December 2025, Burruss is leveraging her songwriting legacy, not just through publishing checks, but by making major moves on Broadway, proving her creative influence is timeless and constantly evolving. This article dives deep into the incredible, often-overlooked songwriting discography of Kandi Burruss, revealing the smash hits and surprising modern tracks that continue to generate massive royalty income for the Atlanta powerhouse.

Kandi Burruss: The Music Royalty Profile

Kandi Burruss-Tucker (née Burruss), known professionally as Kandi, is one of the most successful and enduring figures in American entertainment. Her career spans music, television, and business, establishing her as a formidable entrepreneur.

• Full Name: Kandi Lenice Burruss-Tucker
• Born: May 17, 1976
• Birthplace: College Park, Georgia, U.S.
• Primary Occupation: Singer, Songwriter, Television Personality, Actress, Producer, Entrepreneur
• Music Career Highlights:
  • Member of the multi-platinum R&B girl group Xscape (1992–1998, 2017–present).
  • Grammy Award winner for Best R&B Song for "No Scrubs" (1999).
  • Co-wrote multiple chart-topping hits for artists like TLC, Destiny's Child, and Pink.
• Television Highlights: Starred on *The Real Housewives of Atlanta* (RHOA) since 2009, making her the longest-serving cast member.
• Recent Endeavors (2024/2025): Returning to the Broadway stage in the musical *& Juliet* and joining the producing team for the Broadway revival of *Othello*, often referencing her identity as a Grammy-winning songwriter in her statements.

The Iconic R&B Anthems: Kandi's Defining Hits

Kandi Burruss’s songwriting career took off after her initial success with Xscape. Teaming up frequently with fellow Xscape member Tameka "Tiny" Cottle and producer Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs, she crafted a specific, sharp, and relatable style of R&B that dominated the airwaves. These tracks are the cornerstone of her enduring musical legacy.

Here are the essential, generation-defining songs Kandi Burruss co-wrote:

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• TLC: "No Scrubs" (1999)

  This is arguably Kandi's most famous songwriting credit. The song, which features the iconic line "I don't want no scrub," became a global phenomenon, spending four weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart and earning Kandi a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song.

• Destiny's Child: "Bills, Bills, Bills" (1999)

  Another classic anthem, this track was the lead single from Destiny's Child's second album, *The Writing's on the Wall*. It hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100, solidifying Kandi's reputation as a hitmaker who could capture the voice of independent women.

• Destiny's Child: "Bug a Boo" (1999)

  Following up on "Bills, Bills, Bills," Kandi co-wrote this high-energy track, known for its catchy, slightly frantic lyrics about an annoying boyfriend. She also contributed to other album tracks like "So Good" on the same multi-platinum album.

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• Pink: "There You Go" (2000)

  Kandi’s range extended beyond R&B. She co-wrote Pink’s debut single, a sassy, guitar-driven pop-R&B track that became a Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. This credit showcases her versatility in crossing over into the pop music world.

The Surprising Deep Cuts and Modern Royalty Checks

Beyond the major singles, Kandi Burruss has a deep songwriting catalog that includes hits for boy bands, R&B legends, and even a modern pop superstar. These credits showcase the breadth of her influence and her ability to generate passive income through her timeless melodies and lyrics.

The Boy Band Connection: *NSYNC*

One of the most surprising entries in her discography is her work with the iconic pop group *NSYNC*.

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• *NSYNC*: "It Makes Me Ill" (2000)

  Kandi co-wrote this fan-favorite track from *NSYNC*'s *No Strings Attached* album. The song, which became a single in the UK, is celebrated by Lance Bass as his favorite *NSYNC* song, a testament to Kandi's ability to craft infectious melodies for any genre.

The Shocking Modern Credit: Ariana Grande's Hit

Kandi’s music continues to generate massive revenue, often in unexpected ways. Her work on the *NSYNC* track "It Makes Me Ill" led to one of her most lucrative and surprising credits two decades later.

• Ariana Grande: "Break Up with Your Girlfriend, I'm Bored" (2019)

  Kandi Burruss has a writing credit on this massive global hit from Ariana Grande's *Thank U, Next* album. The reason? The song contains an interpolation (a re-recorded sample) of the melody from the chorus of the *NSYNC* song "It Makes Me Ill," which Kandi co-wrote.

  This credit means Kandi continues to earn substantial royalties from a song that peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, proving the long-term financial power of her early work.

More Hidden Gems and Key Collaborations

Kandi’s extensive list of collaborations and deep cuts further establishes her as a true music industry veteran. Her ability to write across different R&B and Pop subgenres is unparalleled.

• Xscape: As a member of the group, Kandi co-wrote several of their hits, including "Feels So Good" (1995).
• Joe: She contributed to the R&B singer's catalog, co-writing tracks like "If I Was Your Man" and "Get Crunk Tonight."
• Mariah Carey: Kandi has a credit on the track "X-Girlfriend" from Carey’s *Rainbow* album.
• Alicia Keys: She co-wrote the track "Jane Doe."
• Fantasia: She co-wrote the song "Girl Like Me."
• Usher: Kandi has songwriting credits on his work, including his early tracks like "So Good."

From Grammy Wins to Broadway: The Legacy Continues

Kandi Burruss’s career trajectory is a masterclass in turning creative talent into lasting business success. Her songwriting credits are not just historical footnotes; they are active, revenue-generating assets that fund her diverse empire, which includes restaurants, a sex-toy company, and her ventures into television production and theater.

The fact that a song she wrote for a boy band in 2000 is still paying dividends through an Ariana Grande sample in 2019—and generating income today—is a powerful testament to the value of intellectual property in the music industry. As she continues to produce and star on Broadway in 2025, Kandi frequently reminds the public of her foundation as a Grammy-winning songwriter, using that credibility to open new doors.

From telling men "No Scrubs" to telling pop stars to "Break Up with Your Girlfriend," Kandi Burruss’s pen has shaped the sound of modern music, making her one of the most successful and influential songwriters of her generation, regardless of her reality television fame.