Singer Latocha Scott has always been praised for her soulful delivery as a member of the R&B group Xscape, and now gospel music lovers will benefit from those same powerhouse vocals.
According to theJasmineBRAND, the 49-year-old is preparing a full-length gospel album. As a solo artist, Scott will venture in the inspirational genre for the very first time in her professional career. However, singing non-secular music is not new ground for her.
The College Park native has been belting out spiritual melodies since she was 6 years old. In 1993, Scott and fellow Xscape members – Tamika Scott (her sister), Kandi Burruss, and Tameka “Tiny” Harris – paid tribute to a legendary gospel group. Their debut album, Hummin’ Comin’ at Cha’ famously featured a cover of the Clark Sisters’ “Is My Living in Vain”. Additionally, the Latocha Planted Lifestyle author released her first gospel single, “Full Time Love” last May.
When creating the song, she shared, “I wrote this song at a time in my life when I was searching for an unfailing love; one without an expiration and I found it in God.”
Latocha’s Previous Solo Projects
In addition to being familiar with the gospel scene, she is no stranger to recording sans Xscape. The “R&B Divas” alum has either released singles or been featured as a solo artist on various projects since she originally left the group in 1999. Her tracks “Promises” and “Liar, Liar” were included on prominent compilations and soundtracks. She also collaborated with other artists on more popular tunes, including J-Shin’s 1999 hit “One Night Stand” and Trick Daddy’s 2002 ode fallen heroes “Thug Holiday”.
This would have been great momentum for her long-awaited solo effort. Unfortunately, her deal at Sony collapsed. Her debut album “Solo Flight 404” was not released until 2004 and without any distribution. In 2019, Scott dropped the solo release up-tempo R&B track “Six4” produced by Tricky Stewart and Pierre Medor.
Reuniting with Xscape
Over the years, the “Still Ghetto” singer has continued to make music while reuniting with Xscape members from time to time. Ultimately, it took until 2017 for all four members to reconcile and come back together. With their Bravo reality show “Xscape: Just Kickin’ It,” the group reignited fanfare, followed by tours “The Greatest Xscape” (2017) and “The Greatest Xscape” (2022). Recently, they were presented with the Lady of Soul Award by BET/Soul Train.
Latocha’s Temporary Departure and Solo Deal with Motown
Recently, the Traces of My Lipstick vocalists apparently hit another snag, and Scott “temporarily” exited the group again. As it turned out, Scott chose to step away from the multi-platinum selling quartet again after a dispute between her husband and the tour’s promoter ended in death threats. In response to the separation, fans took sides online, and the group faced intense criticism.
Consequently, this sparked heated commentary from Scott and the remaining Xscape members. Amidst the online exchanges, her sister Tamika revealed more information and confirmed that Scott was focusing on her new solo deal. She said, “We didn’t choose to promote over her. We were contracted to do the show before her husband threatened the promoter and fell out with him. We, Xscape, still have an obligation fulfill contractually.”
Tamika continued by stating that her sister will return to the group, “My talented sister has been working on her solo project and her management told us she wouldn’t be available until next year to do any shows with us. When she come back we will be Kickin’ it With all 4 again.”
Scott’s upcoming gospel album, tentatively titled “The Invitation,” is set to be released by Motown Records in 2023. Meanwhile, there may be more details revealed about the project on Xscape’s upcoming reality show slated to premiere soon.