Tameka Cottle
Tameka Cottle |
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Tameka "Tiny" Cottle (born July 14, 1975) is an American singer/songwriter who was a member of the multi-platinum R&B female group, Xscape. She acquired the nickname "Tiny" due to her small stature of only 4'11".[1]
Biography
Born to Dianne Cottle-Pope and Charles Pope in College Park, Georgia, Cottle was immersed in the arts since childhood. She began modeling and acting at 5 years old, doing several commercials for TBS early in her career. Cottle's father and brother are both members of the R&B group, The Tams.[2]
Personal life
Cottle has daughter Zonnique Pullins with a record producer named Zebo[3].
Cottle has dated rapper T.I. on and off since 2001[4]. Together, the couple have two sons [5]: Clifford Joseph Harris 3rd(25 Aug 04) and Major Philant Harris (17 May 08). Their daughter Llayah Armour Harris was stillborn on 21 March 2007 [6] [7]. T.I. has sons Messiah (2000) and Domani(2001) with ex-girlfriend Lashon Dixon. His daughter Deyjah Imani(2004) is with another ex.
Career
Cottle joined the R&B quartet Xscape in 1992 while attending North Atlanta Performing Arts High School. Xscape was discovered by producer Jermaine Dupri while singing at a Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday celebration in Atlanta. Dupri immediately signed the group to his new record label, So So Def Recordings. As a member of R&B group Xscape, Cottle has contributed to three of the band's platinum albums: Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha, Off the Hook, and Traces of My Lipstick. As a member of Xscape, she has received two Soul Train Music Awards for Best New R&B Artist and Best R&B Album, and the A-Town Music Award for Best Duo/Group. Cottle sang lead vocals on four of Xscape's hit singles: "Understanding", "Do You Want To?", "All I Need","Love's A Funny Thing", and "Am I Dreamin". She has also recorded on soundtracks for, Soul Food, "Panther," "Bad Boys," and "Love Jones"
In 1998, after the release of Xscape's third album, Traces of My Lipstick, the band parted ways.
In 1999, Cottle and fellow former Xscape band member Kandi Burruss were honored in with a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song, for penning TLC's hit single, "No Scrubs"[8].
Cottle's other accomplishments include an American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers award in the R&B and Pop Music categories for "No Scrubs", as well as the ASCAP Rap Award for her work on the Sporty Thievz track, "No Pigeons." Cottle has also worked with T.I., 8Ball & MJG, Lil' Kim and Bow Wow.
After a five year hiatus, Cottle reunited with sisters LaTocha and Tamika Scott and added a new member, Kiesha Miles, to release a new Xscape album entitled, Unchained, and released the single, "What's Up" in 2005.[9]
Cottle is currently involved in a new project with Keisha Miles called The Ga.P Girlz. Cottle's daughter, Zonnique (aka Star) is also involved in the music industry and is part of a musical duo called the QT-Possie[10].
References
- ^ IMDb bio for Tameka Cottle
- ^ Tameka Cottle Bio
- ^ http://www.nndb.com/people/932/000167431/
- ^ "T.I.: Me, Myself & I". Vibe. 2007-07-23. Retrieved 2007-10-31.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Serpe, Gina (2008-05-15). "T.I. Welcomes, Demotes Second Son". eonline.com. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
- ^ http://www.celebrity-babies.com/2007/03/rapper_ti_and_t.html Tiny's daughter stillbron
- ^ http://www.nndb.com/people/932/000167431/
- ^ "T42nd Annual Grammy Award Winners". 2000-02-23. Retrieved 2007.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "Xscape breaks the chains by Jamie Foster Brown with the assistance of Ericka Boston and Calvin Terrell". Sister 2 Sister. 2005-03. Retrieved 2007.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ QT Possie: Official Website