Latocha Bivens was blessed with a type of voice that comes from the heavens above. Understanding her gift came from God, it made sense for her to first become aware of her gift in church as a little girl. “My grandmother would always put me on the program when ever she was doing something at church. In the beginning when I would sing, I would shut my eyes. I would get up there, and sing my heart out then open my eyes when I was finish. Seeing people’s reactions let me know I did a good job. Sometimes they would be crying, or you could tell they were moved. The women in the church always made me feel good. I could tell my voice affected them,” she remembers.
Years later R&B fans were introduced to LaTocha’s vocals with her group Xscape in the early 90s. Xscape’s first album debuted in 1993 and although the music was a fresh fusion of soulful R&B meshed with the swagger of hip hop – much of the group’s chart-topping success was due to LaTocha’s signature vocals setting the foundation of the groups hits.
Xscape consisted of LaTocha and her sister Tamika Scott, Tameka “Tiny” Cottle and Kandi Burruss. Discovered by legendary music producer Jermaine Dupri, the group achieved immediate success connecting with the 90’s movement of new Jack swing and new school rhythm and blues. LaTocha remembers seeing fans come out to Xscape performances dressed in their signature bandanas, jeans and or overalls. “We couldn’t believe people wanted to look like us. It blew our mind,” she laughs recalling the group’s initial milestones. It wasn’t long before Xscape was much more than just a girl group. LaTocha, Tamika, Kandi and Tameka aka Tiny became a contributing piece of Black music history with classic hits that seamlessly became the soundtrack for the 90s.
LaTocha says being the oldest in her family dynamic spilled over to her role in the group. “I was used to being the big sister at home and it was the role I automatically took on in the group. It felt like I was always expected to be the responsible one because I was the oldest,” she explains. Transitioning from girlhood to womanhood in front of a national audience with fans who love your music but are also critical can be a blessing but also can at times feel like a curse. LaTocha recalls being referred to as “the big girl” in the group so often she had to remind herself that her size wasn’t the sum total of her identity. “Hearing “she’s the big girl” all the time wasn’t easy, because my Mama named me LaTocha. My family put a lot of pride and self-esteem in me. I knew who I was before music, but this industry can tear you down. I’m thankful I had the family I had because without them – I don’t know where I would be,” she admits.
With four vocally talented women with big personalities, signed to one of the most successful personalities in music, it’s not surprising that behind the scenes waters were often turbulent. In the 30 years since Xscape became a household name the group has gone through numerous changes, arguments, fights, and break-ups. Currently, LaTocha is not an active member of Xscape. How she ended up on the opposite side of the stage from her group members is a complicated reality that LaTocha is choosing not to make a priority for the songstress. Instead of feeling left out or out of place, she says she is more excited than ever about her upcoming solo album and continuing to work on personal healing.
Almost two years ago Xscape joined SWV on tour and also for a reality show titled: SWV & Xscape: The Queens of R&B. The series revealed serious disconnects with Xscape’s internal relationship and even worse, a painful disconnect between LaTocha and her blood sister Tamika. Once the lid was ripped off the familial issues between the sisters, rumors resurfaced detailing marital issues between her and her husband Rocky. Many Xscape fans felt comfortable speaking on the relationship because at one time Rocky served as the group’s manager. LaTocha’s instincts dating back to when she was a young girl being criticized, have always pushed her inward to find her strength. This time she realized she needed more help than old habits would be able to offer. After being separated from her group, her sister and even her husband, LaTocha decided to give things to the one who placed her most precious gift within her. She sought God’s presence and put her heart and soul into her music.
“People kept telling me I needed to do Chris Brown’s #residualschallenge and so I prayed about it and decided to do it,” she shares.
LaTocha says she contacted a writing partner and went into the studio to write the song, record it and video it to share on social media. Her heart-wrenching version of Chris Brown’s Grammy award winning record titled ‘I’m only Human’ allowed LaTocha to pour her heart out in a way fans had never seen before. She addressed the pain of being separated from her sister and group members and even addressed the rumored issues about her marriage. The little girl who always had to be strong and responsible for others finally allowed the woman she’d grown into to give voice and melody to her pain. The moment of vulnerability resonated with fans across the world but most importantly it resulted in a reconciliation between LaTocha and her sister Tamika. There is still much healing ahead but LaTocha is hopeful that things will work out for everyone’s good in the end.
Allowing herself to be seen without the defenses she’d learned to hide behind, offers a new beginning that she is eager to embrace. The first piece of this new chapter is her single, ‘Love Changes’. The days of proving she has the lung capacity to sing anything put to music are on hold and LaTocha allows her audience to embrace a softer version of her gift with the song.
“The message of the song is that true love goes through changes. You don’t have to be afraid of the changes, just trust God and embrace them,” she says.
Latocha is looking towards her future, putting out more music and inspiring young girls with her ‘Made Girl’ foundation. “I love mentoring the girls. They come over and we cook and discuss the importance of self-love,” she shares. Latocha’s current musical project is R&B but she says the church is her foundation so there is an undying respect and love she has for gospel music as it represents her beginning. Latocha has also embraced a healthier lifestyle which has resulted in a cook book for others looking for southern inspired plant-based meals.
The beautiful reality about LaTocha’s relationship with the other three members of Xscape is that the group was created in church. Those roots give the group a much stronger connection and hope for a future relationship even if it never returns to music. When God gives the gift, it’s unable to be taken it away by anyone. LaTocha’s voice has blessed so many others as they deal with the everyday struggles of life. Seeing her use that gift to free herself is invaluable and the beginning of a beautiful new beginning.
Credits
Interview: Christal Jordan
Video: DaeRae Media / The Recap Room