Kandi

Kandi in 2021

### Occupation

Singer • songwriter • producer • television personality • actress • businesswoman • label representative

### Organization

RCA Records • Bedroom Kandi • Kandi Corporation

## Musical career

### Labels

RCA Records

**Kandi Lenice Burruss-Tucker** (born May 17, 1976), known professionally by her mononym **Kandi**, is an American singer, songwriter, producer, television personality, and actress. She was actively writing and producing for the industry's best-selling artists for over a decade, before deciding to launch her own solo music career in 2021.

Signing with RCA Records as a label representative, Kandi would release her first ever single "Love, Honey" on July 30, 2021 - instantly becoming her first top-five hit on the Billboard Hot Singles Chart with unexpected success, and later rising to become Kandi's first number-one hit. On the same day, Kandi would release an extended play *Uptown* - becoming her first number-one record on the Billboard Top Albums Chart. Kandi's first studio album *Downtown* was released on November 5, 2016, officially debuting at #2.

Kandi has starred in the Bravo reality television series *The Real Housewives of Atlanta* since its second-season premiere on July 30, 2009. On November 23, 2021, Kandi announced a new series in *The Real Housewives* franchise titled *The Real Housewives of Pop Industry*, in which she would star, premiering on November 26, 2021. Kandi has appeared in four other *Real Housewives* spinoff and companion series as of 2021, beginning with 2012's *The Kandi Factory*, and continuing on with *Kandi's Wedding* (2014), *Kandi's Ski Trip* (2015) and *Kandi Koated Nights* (2018), all of which were aired by Bravo. Kandi also won the third season of the Fox competition series *The Masked Singer*, and placed fifth on the second season of *Celebrity Big Brother* on CBS. In late 2021, Kandi would also announce her own production company Kandi Corporation opening on January 1, 2022. Kandi Corporation would go on to produce many other tv programmes and visual media including the second season of *The Real Housewives of Pop Industry*.

Currently, Kandi places 32nd on the Billboard Artist Rankings with over 2,100 chart points. As of December 2022, she has two number-one singles on the Billboard Hot Singles Chart and one number-one album on the Billboard Top Albums Chart. Kandi has received three awards at the Billboard Music Awards to date, out of eleven nominations, and five nominations at the People's Choice Awards for her appearances on *The Real Housewives of Atlanta* and *The Masked Singer*.

## Early Life

Kandi was born in East Point, Georgia, the daughter of the Reverend Titus Burruss Jr. and Joyce Jones. She had an older brother, Patrick Riley (1968–1991), who died in a car crash. Kandi attended Tri-Cities High School in East Point, Georgia, graduating in 1994.

## Musical Career

### Career Beginnings

Kandi's musical career began in 2009 when she helped fellow *The Real Housewives of Atlanta* cast member Kim Zolciak-Biermann record music in Kandi's personal recording studio. From there, Kandi would start writing and producing for other artists, including producing "Betcha Didn't Know" for P!nk's début studio album *Personal*, and later two album cuts on the following record *Mind Games*. In 2021, Kandi would co-write and produce the mega collaboration "Oui Oui" for Kesha.

### 2021: RCA Records and Solo Music

After producing "Oui Oui", Kandi would sign to P!nk's record label RCA Records, as an official representative. Wanting to combine her love of music with her background, Kandi would release her first extended play *Uptown* in July 2021 - on the 12th anniversary of the premiere for her first starring season of *The Real Housewives of Atlanta*. *Uptown* would showcase Kandi's personality, the city of Atlanta and honor the *Real Housewives* franchise. *Uptown* would mark Kandi's first ever number-one album shortly after its release. Kandi would also release the single "Love, Honey" to coincide with the release of *Uptown*. "Love, Honey" would become Kandi's first top-five hit on the Hot Singles Chart, débuting at number four. The song would later rise with the release of the "Lush Remix" in November, becoming an unexpected number-one hit for Kandi.

On October 30, 2021, Kandi announced the release of her first studio album *Downtown*. *Downtown* would release on November 5, 2021, and would later debut at number two on the Billboard Top Albums Chart. On November 9, 2021, Kandi would announce "A Sip of His Cocktail" as the second single from the record, releasing November 12, 2021. On the same day, Kandi would also announce a re-issue of *Downtown*; titled *Downtown: The Reunion* - also launching on November 12, 2021. Furthermore, to coincide with the premiere of *The Real Housewives of Pop Industry*, Kandi would release the theme song "The Ring Didn't Mean a Thing" on November 26, 2021.

### 2022-2023: Non-Album Droplets

In 2022, Kandi would take a backseat in regards to releasing solo music, to instead focus on producing shows for Kandi Corporation. However, she would still release some one-off singles in relation to certain media projects. The first was the song "Battered But Not Broken" - as part of the soundtrack for *The Midnight Man ™*. A duet version of the record was also released featuring the show's star and director The Weeknd. For the premiere of *Southern Charm School*, Kandi would collaborate with country music star and the show's active headmistress Carrie Underwood on "Close Your Legs (To Married Men)" - which would then be released the following week.

In 2023, Kandi would honor both the fans of *The Real Housewives* franchise and the patrons who purchased the Supporter Pass with a new non-album single "Ko-fi & Love" alongside new artist RuPaul. The song was a cover of "Coffee & Love" by *The Real Housewives of Potomac* star Ashley Darby, and her brother Cazanova. In April 2023, it would be announced that Kandi would support label executive P!nk on the Perfect Girl World Tour.

## Television Appearances

### *The Real Housewives of Atlanta*

Kandi joined *The Real Housewives of Atlanta* in its second season, which began airing July 2009, replacing DeShawn Snow. She has since appeared in every subsequent season of the show, becoming the series' longest-serving cast member. When she first joined the show, she had recently become engaged to her boyfriend A.J. and was shown expressing interest in furthering her music career. A feud developed between her and Nene Leakes after Kandi became friends with Zolciak and helped her record her music. In the third season, Zolciak and Kandi continued recording music together, including "The Ring Didn't Mean a Thing", although they clashed over their creative differences. A conflict between Leakes, Zolciak and Kandi later ensued while the latter two women embarked on a promotional concert tour. In later seasons, Kandi struck up a friendship with castmates Phaedra Parks and Porsha Williams. Sometime during her pregnancy with son Ace, a rift was shown between Phaedra and Kandi, eventually souring due to unpaid production fees that Parks owed Kandi's husband Todd Tucker.

### *The Real Housewives of Pop Industry*

In the summer of 2021, Kandi heard rumors of Bravo executive Andy Cohen looking to start a new series in *The Real Housewives* franchise. Shooting her shot, Kandi pitched the idea of *The Real Housewives of Pop Industry*; a show focusing not in one particular city, but instead the music industry as a whole. Cohen loved Kandi's idea and agreed, putting the show into production, with Kandi as the main starring housewife - while still retaining her status on *RHOA*. The first season would air on Bravo, premiering on November 26, 2021, starring Kandi and four other housewives; Kesha, Gwen Stefani, Normani and New York. Due to high ratings, it was announced on November 28, 2021, that Bravo would commission a second season, due to air in 2022. In 2022, it was announced that the second season would be delayed until 2023.

### *Real Housewives* Spin-offs

Kandi received the second spin-off from *The Real Housewives of Atlanta*, *The Kandi Factory*, in 2012. It was originally planned as a one-time television special, but eventually ran for a full season. It followed Kandi and her record producers as they attempted to launch the music careers of undiscovered artists, with a new artist selected every episode. Kandi and Tucker's then got another spin-off series on Bravo, *Kandi's Wedding*, which aired for five episodes in June and July 2014 and showed the two getting married. *Kandi's Wedding* brought in very high ratings for Bravo, and topped NeNe Leakes and Kim Zolciak's previous spin-offs. Her third spin-off series, *Kandi's Ski Trip*, was a three-part special that aired in 2015 after the conclusion of the seventh season of *The Real Housewives of Atlanta*. In 2022, Kandi and her family starred in a new Bravo spin-off titled *Kandi & The Gang* - focusing on Kandi's new restaurant business.

### Celebrity Big Brother

Kandi was a contestant on the second season of the reality competition show *Celebrity Big Brother*. She placed fifth on the 2019 season and was a fan favorite during her run on the show. After enjoying her experience on the show, due to the positive reception she received, Kandi put in motion plans to make a further spin-off of *Celebrity Big Brother*. On March 26th, 2022, Kandi announced her newest television project *Celebrity Big Brother: Pop Industry* - a celebrity edition of *Big Brother* exclusively for artists and famous figures within the music industry. Casting would begin on the same day, lasting a week. Kandi would then become the host of this variant of *Big Brother*, with the first season premiering April 4th, 2022.

### Other Appearances

Kandi and four friends started a "sex and relationship" web series on Ustream, *Kandi Koated Nights*. The show started on television in 2018. In 2020, she competed in the third season of *The Masked Singer* as the Night Angel. Kandi had been asked to compete in the first season but was unable to participate due to other commitments. After watching T-Pain perform and having producers approach her again, however, she reconsidered. Kandi won her season, and was the show's first female winner. In 2022, she would appear as a guest advisor for industry friend T.O.P on his reality show *WANNA BE ON TOP*.

## Artistry

Kandi has stated that, as a songwriter and producer, she is experienced in multiple genres of music and hopes that her solo discography will eventually reflect that. However, prior to the release of *Uptown*, Kandi said that her first music project should be rooted in the genres she's most accustomed to - namely R&B, with additional influences from gospel and hip-hop music. Lyrically, Kandi's music takes influence from certain moments and experiences during filming of *The Real Housewives*.

## Other Ventures

### Bedroom Kandi

Kandi owns a sex toy company called Bedroom Kandi. Bedroom Kandi was founded in 2011 in conjunction with intimate toy developers Brian and Suki Dunham, launching with five products at the time. In 2012, the home party side of the business hit the scene, with a mission to empower people, both sexually and financially. Since then, Bedroom Kandi Boutique Parties has grown, selling over 10,000 starter kits and working with consultants all across the country to spread education, empowerment, and self-love in their communities. Now, it features hundreds, from intimate toys to bath & body to cosmetics, with something for everyone!

### Kandi Corporation

On December 2, 2021, Kandi announced via her Tootland account that she would be launching her own production company known as Kandi Corporation as early as January 2022. Kandi Corporation would produce tv programmes and other forms of visual media across all genres, but specialising in reality television. Kandi Corporation's first project would be replacing Shed Media as the official production company for the second season of *The Real Housewives of Pop Industry*, due to air later in 2022.

### RCA Records

Kandi would sign to RCA Records in the summer of 2021. Due to her previous existing professional relationship with label executive P!nk, Kandi was officially hired as a label representative. Her role involves representing the label with her musical releases, and also being available for contact from media sources or artists within the label. She is recognised as second-in-command for RCA Records.

### The Burruss Tucker Restaurant Group

Husband and wife duo Todd Tucker and Kandi would partner up both in their personal life and in business, as they opened The Burruss Tucker Restaurant Group; a company overseeing their various culinary enterprises. In 2020, they invested into their own steak and seafood restaurant Blaze. Conceptualised in 2016, Kandi and Tucker would invest in a restaurant named after and run by the Old Lady Gang - Kandi's mom and aunts. The Old Lady Gang was also established as the setting for Kandi's 2022 Bravo show *Kandi & The Gang*.

## Personal Life

### Marriage and Children

Kandi and her ex-boyfriend, Russell "Block" Spencer of Block Entertainment, have a daughter named Riley Burruss born August 22, 2002. In late 2008, Kandi began a relationship with Ashley "A.J." Jewell and after dating several months, the couple became engaged in January 2009. However, on October 2, 2009, after sustaining head injuries in a brawl, Jewell passed away.

On January 15, 2013, Kandi announced via Twitter that she was engaged to Todd Tucker, a former line producer for *The Real Housewives of Atlanta*, whom she had been dating since 2011 while filming the fourth season. The two were married on April 4, 2014. The couple resides in Atlanta, Georgia. On July 22, 2015, Kandi announced that she was pregnant. On January 6, 2016, she and Tucker welcomed their son. Kandi and Tucker welcomed their second child, a daughter, via surrogate on November 22, 2019.

### Sexuality

Kandi has opened up about being bisexual, during interviews filmed for Bravo TV, stating that she has had experiences with girls in the past. However, Kandi states that she is happily married with her husband, and not just waiting to fully come out of the closet. In 2021, she celebrated Pride Month, giving advice to "live your life to the fullest!"

> I've said on *Housewives* before, I have said on *Kandi Koated Nights* before, yes I've had a girl experience. It's not a secret, but I'm very happily married with my husband and I am not a lesbian waiting to come out of the closet.
>
> Kandi, Bravo TV (2017)

## Awards and Achievements

*Main article: Kandi/Awards*
Throughout her career as a reality television star, Kandi has received numerous nominations for her performances. She has received five nominations at the People's Choice Awards for her appearances on *The Real Housewives* and *The Masked Singer*. In 2021, she would receive her first three nominations at the Billboard Music Awards. She would go on to win her first award later that year, winning Best Label Representative. The following year, she would receive another eight nominations including being a part of the Single of the Season category for "The Ring Didn't Mean a Thing". She would then go on to be the first artist to win Best Label Representative twice.

## Filmography

### Film

* *Live on the Dancefloor: A Dua Lipa Concert Experience* (2022)

### Television

* *The Real Housewives of Atlanta* (2009 - Present)
* *The Kandi Factory* (2012)
* *Kandi's Wedding* (2014)
* *Kandi's Ski Trip* (2015)
* *Kandi Koated Nights* (2018)
* *Celebrity Big Brother 2* (2019)
* *The Masked Singer* (2020)
* *The Real Housewives of Pop Industry* (2021 - Present)
* *Kandi & The Gang* (2022 - Present)
* *Celebrity Big Brother: Pop Industry* (2022 - Present)
* *WANNA BE ON TOP* (2022)
* *The RCA Recordings* (2023)

## Galleries

### Artwork Gallery

**Albums**

UptownDowntownFuturevision Song Contest: Rhythm Reborn
**Singles**

Love, HoneyA Sip of His CocktailThe Ring Didn't Mean a ThingBattered But Not BrokenBattered But Not Broken (Duet at Midnight)Close Your Legs (To Married Men)Ko-fi & LoveKo-fi & Love [Patrons Not Patreon Remix]A Night Under a Thousand StarsA Night Under a Thousand Stars (Yanou's Candlelight Mix)Rhythm Reborn (Theme Song for Futurevision)Rhythm Reborn (Theme Song for Futurevision) [Douze Points Mix]