The Xscape singer revealed that Sporty Thievz’s response monitor to No Scrubs grew to become an sudden windfall when the group didn’t get clearance
Kandi Burruss revealed a shocking twist within the story behind one of many largest “battle of the sexes” moments in music historical past. Throughout a current podcast look, the Xscape singer and songwriter defined that she and Tameka “Tiny” Cottle acquired 100% of the publishing royalties from Sporty Thievz’s 1999 hit “No Pigeons” as a result of the group by no means cleared the pattern from TLC’s “No Scrubs.” The revelation has sparked conversations about music publishing and the way an uncleared pattern turned a possible rivalry into considered one of Kandi’s most profitable hits.
The 73-second clip exhibits Kandi seated on a white sofa in a podcast studio, animatedly recounting the story to 2 different ladies. In the meantime, she explains how Sporty Thievz created their response monitor with out searching for permission to make use of the melody and instrumental from “No Scrubs.” Subsequently, when “No Pigeons” grew to become a success, Kandi and Tiny collected all of the royalties as the unique writers.
“No Scrubs” Turned a Large Hit in 1999
“No Scrubs” was launched by TLC on February 2, 1999, because the lead single from their album FanMail. The track marked the group’s return after a four-year hiatus following monetary and contractual disputes that led to a 1995 chapter submitting. Kandi Burruss and Tiny Cottle wrote the monitor throughout their downtime from Xscape, with manufacturing by Kevin “She’kspere” Briggs.
The track’s lyrics critique unmotivated males missing automobiles, jobs, or ambition, empowering ladies with strains that grew to become cultural anthems. LaFace Data tailored it for TLC, including a rap verse by Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes for the one model. Moreover, the monitor dominated charts, holding the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Scorching 100 for 4 weeks in April 1999.
“No Scrubs” bought over 3 million copies and earned triple platinum certification. It received Grammys for Greatest R&B Track and Greatest R&B Efficiency by a Duo or Group, plus an ASCAP award. The track grew to become one of many defining tracks of 1999 and a staple of late-’90s R&B.
Sporty Thievz Launched “No Pigeons” as a Response
In Might 1999, Sporty Thievz—a Yonkers, New York-based hip-hop trio consisting of Marlon “Marlon Brando” Bryant, Kirk “King Kirk” Howell, and Shaarod “Large Dubez” Ford—launched “No Pigeons” as a direct response. The monitor developed from a mixtape freestyle known as “No Vultures” by Mr. Wooden$ and DJ Rhude, which was found by DJ Funkmaster Flex at Scorching 97.
Flex enlisted Sporty Thievz to file it as a consequence of their fashion of humorous gender commentary, as seen of their prior single “Cheapskate (You Ain’t Gettin’ Nada).” The group modified “vultures” to “pigeons” for a milder tone and used a quicker, bassier model of Briggs’ instrumental. Nevertheless, they didn’t search clearance to make use of the melody or construction from “No Scrubs.”
The lyrics flipped the narrative, accusing ladies of entitlement and exploitation, with strains like “broke pigeon head freak, must be fortunate I spoke.” The track was added to a reissue of their 1998 album Road Cinema on Ruffhouse/Columbia Data.
“No Pigeons” Turned a Hit With out Clearance
Regardless of being an uncleared response monitor, “No Pigeons” achieved notable success. The track peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Scorching 100, coinciding with “No Scrubs’” run on the prime of the charts. Extra impressively, it hit No. 1 on the Scorching Rap Singles chart and No. 5 on the Scorching R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
The only was licensed Gold by the RIAA, with 600,000 models bought. Moreover, it charted in Canada, the UK, the Netherlands, and Sweden. Business estimates counsel the monitor generated over $500,000 in extra earnings for Kandi and Tiny as a consequence of its efficiency.
The songs sparked a “battle of the sexes” in 1999 radio and membership tradition. DJs like Funkmaster Flex and Biz Markie would alternate taking part in them to have interaction audiences, with ladies chanting “No Scrubs” and males responding with “No Pigeons.” This dynamic predated trendy social media rivalries and influenced later gender-themed tracks.
Kandi and Tiny Received 100% of Publishing Royalties
As a result of Sporty Thievz didn’t search clearance for sampling the “No Scrubs” melody and construction, Kandi Burruss and Tiny Harris retained 100% of the publishing royalties from “No Pigeons.” Kandi has described this as a “windfall.” Thus, turning a possible rivalry into considered one of her most profitable songs.
Within the podcast clip, Kandi explains that her staff acquired full royalties as a result of no prior negotiation occurred. “They didn’t ask or attempt to have it cleared,” she mentioned. Moreover, gesturing emphatically. Subsequently, the uncleared pattern exemplified music publishing guidelines the place originators declare full rights absent agreements.
No lawsuits are documented within the case, however the scenario highlights the monetary penalties of not clearing samples. Moreover, Kandi received an ASCAP Rap Award for her oblique contribution to “No Pigeons,” making it considered one of her most sudden profession achievements.
Followers React to the Publishing Revelation
The clip has sparked vital reactions on social media. “Two no 1 hits off one written track,” one person wrote. Thus, highlighting how Kandi primarily acquired paid twice. One other added: “Good for Kandi.”
Some expressed shock on the lack of clearance. “I at all times questioned how the track was on television and so on. them dudes formally dropped it with no clearance or nothing some actual spill,” one remark learn. One other requested: “Why on the planet they didn’t get it cleared?”
Nostalgia and humor dominated many responses. “I do know them boys was mad,” one person joked. One other wrote: “That’s wild! I bear in mind ‘No Pigeons.’” A 3rd quoted the monitor’s most memorable line: “BROKE PIGEON HEAD FREAK, SHOULD BE LUCKY I SPOKE!”
A number of customers defended Kandi towards criticism. “All of ya’ll in these feedback mad at Kandi. Be mad at these artists for not dealing with their enterprise,” one particular person wrote. One other added: “I’m glad Kandi snatched that publishing and royalties away.”
Some famous the irony of the scenario. “The truth that their identify was Sporty ‘Thievz’ and so they stole Kandi’s track is nearly ironic lol,” one remark said. Others mirrored on the broader influence: “It ended up figuring out effectively for everybody concerned.”
“No Scrubs” Later Earned Credit on “Form of You”
The monetary advantages of “No Scrubs” didn’t cease with “No Pigeons.” Years later, Kandi and Tiny additionally acquired writing credit on Ed Sheeran’s 2017 hit “Form of You” as a consequence of melodic similarities. The track grew to become one of many best-selling digital singles of all time. Subsequently, additional padding their royalty checks.
This chain of occasions exhibits how one well-written track can proceed producing revenue many years later by means of samples, interpolations, and uncleared makes use of. For Kandi, “No Scrubs” has confirmed to be the reward that retains on giving.
Conclusion
Kandi Burruss and Tiny Harris’s revelation about “No Pigeons” highlights the significance of clearing samples within the music business. What might have been a easy response monitor was an sudden windfall when Sporty Thievz failed to barter publishing rights.
The story serves as a reminder that music publishing guidelines closely favor unique writers when samples aren’t cleared. For Kandi, “No Pigeons” grew to become considered one of her most profitable hits with out her even being straight concerned in its creation. As she put it throughout the podcast, Sporty Thievz primarily handed her and Tiny a second No. 1 hit by not doing their homework.
