LaTocha Scott

LaTocha Reney Scott-Bivens, (née Scott; born October 2, 1973) 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.

Biography

Scott was born in Atlanta, Georgia to her father, Rev. Randolf Scott and her mother, Gloria McFarlin who worked as a teacher at school. She is the elder sister to fellow Xscape member Tamika Scott. At the age of 6, she began to sing in church, weddings, and local talent shows. At 11, she had recorded her first song with her sister Tamika. Scott attended TriCities High School of Performing Arts in Atlanta, Georgia, transferring to Tri-Cities High School in East Point, Georgia graduating in 1991.

In 1995, she married music manager Rocky Bivens. Their son Jamon was born in August 1997.

Scott eats plant based. She released cookbook ''LaTocha Planted Lifestyle''.

Career

1991–1992: Xscape beginnings

Prior to joining R&B group Xscape, Scott had been performing with a group called Precise. While attending Tri-Cities performing arts high school in East Point, Georgia, Scott's sister Tamika met Kandi Burruss. The three began singing together and recruited a fourth member, Tamera Coggins, though her time with the group was short-lived. Soon Tameka "Tiny" Cottle was asked to audition for the girls, and Xscape was officially formed. After the group's major debut performance at BET's Teen Summit in 1992, the girls were introduced to record executive Ian Burke, who later became the group's manager. Xscape soon caught the attention of Jermaine Dupri, who later signed the group to his So So Def Recordings.

1993–1999: Xscape albums

The group released their debut album, ''Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha'' on October 12, 1993. The album peaked at number seventeen on the U.S. Billboard 200 and number three on the Top R&B Albums chart. It was a critical and commercial success, certified platinum within a year, and launched two hit singles. The two lead singles, "Just Kickin' It" and "Understanding", both entered the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The follow-up singles, " Love on My Mind" and "Tonight", did not achieve the same success. The group later appeared on '' The Mask'' soundtrack and the soundtrack for the 1995 film '' Panther'', featuring the single "Freedom", a female group that featured her younger sister Tamika.

Xscape released their second studio album, '' Off the Hook'', in 1995. Much of the album's production was by Jermaine Dupri and featured guest vocals from MC Lyte. Four singles were released. " Feel So Good" and " Who Can I Run To" peaked at No. 32 and No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart respectively. The latter release, " Can't Hang/Do You Want To", was a joint single and reached the top ten of the Billboard R&B charts. "Off the Hook" was certified platinum in 1995. In 1996, the group was featured on MC Lyte's single " Keep On, Keepin' On", which appeared on the ''Sunset Park'' soundtrack. The single reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In 1997, as the group's popularity grew, they appeared on the soundtracks of the films '' Love Jones'' and ''Soul Food''.

In 1997, the group found new management and released their third studio album, '' Traces of My Lipstick'' in 1998. The album entered the Billboard 200 at number 28, and featured top 10 hits "The Arms of the One Who Loves You" and " My Little Secret", which Scott co-wrote with Jermaine Dupri, earning the pair an ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Music Award.

Scott left Xscape in 1999 to pursue a solo career.

1998–2005: Solo career

Scott appeared solo on ''NFL Jamz'' in 1998 with a song entitled "Promises". She later released the single "Liar Liar", which appeared on '' The Best Man'' soundtrack in 1999.

By the early 2000s, Scott had ventured more into performing as a solo artist. She soon reconnected with ex-manager Michael Mauldin and signed a recording contract with Sony Urban. Scott's debut solo album with Sony was never released, due to label issues, forcing her to leave the label in 2001. Shortly after, Scott collaborated with rapper Trick Daddy on the song " Thug Holiday" in 2002. Without major label distribution, Scott eventually completed her debut album, ''Solo Flight 404,'' featuring the single "Still Ghetto".

In 2004, Scott, along with Tamika Scott, Tameka "Tiny" Cottle, and new member Kiesha Miles, attempted to revamp Xscape. They released the single "What's Up" in 2005, but the reconciliation was short-lived and the group ultimately disbanded in 2005.

Around the same time, Scott made her first film appearance in the 2005 comedy, '' Fair Game''.

2012–present

Scott released a new single titled "Bad Timing" from her studio album, released in 2012.

She starred in the second season of the TV One show '' R&B Divas: Atlanta'' in 2013.

In 2017, Scott re-joined band members Tamika Scott, Kandi Burruss, and Tameka "Tiny" Harris to continue touring as Xscape. After the initial tour, Burruss declined to participate further, leaving the others to tour as a trio under the name 'Xscap3'; Burruss would later rejoin on future tours.

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

Filmography

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Scott, LaTocha
1973 births
Living people
Singers from Atlanta
American rhythm and blues singer-songwriters
American women singer-songwriters
African-American actresses
20th-century African-American women singers
20th-century American women singers
20th-century American singers
African-American women singer-songwriters
21st-century American women singers
21st-century American singer-songwriters
21st-century African-American women singers
Singer-songwriters from Georgia (U.S. state)
Xscape (group) members