Released: October 12, 1993

Label: So So Def • Columbia

Genre: R&B • hip hop soul • new jack swing

Producer: Jermaine Dupri • Manuel Seal, Jr.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Girl groups had such a resurgence in the 1990s, that we saw multiple girl groups prosper in ways so many didn’t before their time. We had En Vogue, TLC, Jade, SWV & Xscape. Xscape was a group from Atlanta, GA and consisted of Kandi Burruss, Tameka Cottle, Tamika Scott, LaTocha Scott & Tamera Coggins (the group eventually became a quartet after Coggins left the group).

The group was discovered by Jermaine Dupri, who is the son of Michael Mauldin and the founder of his own label So So Def Recordings. Xscape became the first act to sign to So So Def, releasing their debut album Hummin’ Comin’ at ‘Cha on October 12, 1993.

The Hummin’ Comin’ at ‘Cha album is such a vibe. With elements of R&B, hip hop soul, gospel and new jack swing, the albums talks about love and relationships. Their beautiful harmonies alone is what gravitates you to them as a group period. With production solely done by Dupri and assistance from songwriter/producer Manuel Seal, Hummin’ Comin’ at ‘Cha was a perfect introduction to the world from one of our most celebrated R&B acts of all time.

Hummin’ Comin’ at ‘Cha peaked in the top 5 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts, and top 20 of the Billboard 200. The album has since been certified platinum by the RIAA.

Ladies & Gentlemen, I present to you Xscape’s “Hummin’ Comin’ at ‘Cha!”

Hummin’ Side:

Hummin Comin’ at Cha (Intro)

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Written by Jermaine Dupri

(JD)
Yeah, We’re In The House With SO SO DEF! AND MY Girls xscape
We’re Hummin’ Comin’ at ‘Cha

{Chorus: Cypress Hill]
We’re Hummin’ Comin’ at ‘Cha
We’re Hummin’ Comin’ at ‘Cha
We’re Hummin’ Comin’ at ‘Cha
We’re Hummin’ Comin’ at ‘Cha

(JD)
Y’all Know What You Do, Sit Back Relax
Less Smokin And Soul Your Funky Emotion

{Chorus: Cypress Hill]
We’re Hummin’ Comin’ at ‘Cha
We’re Hummin’ Comin’ at ‘Cha
We’re Hummin’ Comin’ at ‘Cha
We’re Hummin’ Comin’ at ‘Cha

(JD)
Xscape In The House!, You Don’t Hear Me Tho’

***Hummin’ Comin’ at ‘Cha (Intro) samples How I Could I Just Kill a Man by Cypress Hill.

Just Kickin’ It

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Written by Jermaine Dupri • Manuel Seal, Jr.

Just Kickin’ It was the debut and lead single on the album and definitely is still a vibe!!! Lyrically, the song is about what men looking for in a woman (which caused some controversy with women who are fans of the group). The record earned the group their first number 1 record on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and their first top two hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was also certified double platinum by the RIAA.

***Just Kickin’ It contains a sample of Howard Hewett’s Show Me & contains an interpolation of AJ Scratch by Kurtis Blow. The song was sampled by How We Bullshit by Slum Village & was interpolated on Da Brat’s Give It 2 You

Pumpin’

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Written by Jermaine Dupri

Pumpin’ is a new jack swing influenced track that had Kandi on the lead vocals, that’ll definitely have your 90s playlist lit!

Let Me Know

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Written by Jermaine Dupri • Manuel Seal, Jr

From a lyrical perspective, Let Me Know is a song that has the ladies asking if he feels the love and just want him to spend a little time period.

***Let Me Know contains a sample of Otis Redding’s Hard to Handle.

Understanding

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Written by Manuel Seal, Jr.

Understanding has become a classic 90s record and is absolutely one of Xscape’s signature songs. From a lyrical perspective, Understanding is a plea to communicate properly when it comes to a relationship and how they both have to equally put in the effort.

There’s no way that we can work it out, if we don’t pull together! I don’t mean to be demanding, but I want some understanding! I wanna be with you….

Tamika Scott, Understanding, 1993.

Understanding was released as the second single from the album, giving the girls another number 1 hit on the R&B charts, and peaked at number 8 on the pop charts. The song was also certified platinum by the RIAA.

Comin’ Side:

W.S.S Deez Nuts

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Written by Eddie Weather

Hey, this is Skeeter Rock, from the Hip-Hop Barber Shop
And Call On 1 And 2 What We Do Calling W.S.S Deez Nuts
Tell me your name and tell me where you’re calling from Whatcha Gonna Do Holla At Me C’Mon

Yo, what’s up It’s Kool D calling from College Park Me And The Girls Xscape About To Hook ‘Em Up
Oh no, In The Mean Time But Explain About That Barbecue
Caller #2 C’mon You This Jasper From Riverdale I Will Makes You About To Count A Help Father Alright Coming Up I hope you was checking in Request Her Name Is J.J. Yo, what’s up
Skeeter Rock? Don’t You Stop But Xscape That Boys From J.J. Realize Well! AHHHH!

With You

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Written by Brandon Bennett • Marqueze Etheridge • Organized Noize

With You is a song that lyrically speaks to wanting to spend the rest of your life with that special someone. Definitely one of my favorite album cuts from Xscape.

***With You contains a sample of Funky President (People It’s Bad) by James Brown

Is My Living In Vain

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Written by Elbernita Clark

It’s not all in vain because up the road is eternal gain!

Xscape, Is My Living In Vain, 1993

Let me talk about one of my favorite songs in the world Is My Living In Vain? Whew a true masterpiece. Originally recorded by The Clark Sisters, the song is lyrically a series of rhetorical questions asking if their actions are in vain..and that their dedication to the Lord is not an effort that’s useless to them whatsoever.

***Is My Living In Vain is a cover of The Clark Sisters song of the same title and contains a sample of Barry White’s I’m Gonna Love You Just a Little More, Baby.

Love on My Mind

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Written by Jermaine Dupri • Manuel Seal, Jr

The new jack swing influenced Love on My Mind is a feel good record about desiring how it feels to be loved and wanting to be in the mood to be loved period. The song was released as the third single from the album and peaked at 16 on the R&B charts.

***Love on My Mind contains samples of To Da Break of Dawn by LL Cool J & Bauhaus by Capella.

Tonight

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Written by Brandon Bennett • Marqueze Ethridge • Organized Noize

Tonight is definitely one of my favorite Xscape songs and ballads all of the time. It is just one of those songs where you’re going to make love to your man and vibe to all night. The harmonies are top tier, production was just…awesome. Just an overall perfect way to introduced Xscape to the world of R&B. The song was released as the final single from the album. Tonight peaked at 59 on the R&B charts, but is one of their fan favorite songs to perform live at every concert.

Just Kickin’ It (Remix)

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Written by Jermaine Dupri • Manuel Seal, Jr.

The album closes with Just Kickin’ It (Remix) and while the lyrics stays the exact same as the original, the remix has a real mellow vibe to smoke to. I love it!

***Just Kickin’ It (Remix) contains a sample of Let’s Do It Again by The Staple Singers , & was interpolated by Leela James for Let’s Do It Again & May Da Funk Be Wit ‘Cha by Da Brat & LaTocha Scott.

Xscape’s Hummin’ Comin’ at ‘Cha came at a perfect time in music. Girl groups were prospering and the new jack swing era was still in effect. We gotta beautiful blend of gospel, R&B, new jack sing and so much more from our girls. They would go on to release two more successful LPs, but it is always imperative to revisit our original introduction to such an iconic R&B group. -MW.