Top 10 Moments of 2009: #8 Kandi Burruss 'Flies Above' With Real Housewives

If there was ever a book to be penned on making moves and standing tall through tragedy, Kandi Burruss would be perfect for the cover. Just like her now popular song “Fly Above,” Burruss truly flew above negativity and tragedy to come out on top this year.

When Singersroom spoke with the ASCAP Award winner in late fall of 2008 we, like she, had no idea what 2009 would hold. As it turned out Burruss ended up with a gig as the latest addition to BRAVO’s ratings juggernaut ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’. Replacing Deshawn Snow, who appeared with Nene Leakes, Lisa Wu Hartwell and Kim Zolciak during the first season, Burruss quickly, became a target for scrutiny as soon as her name was revealed. While Burruss was a new face to some, the industry veteran and former  Xscape member was no stranger to music fans. Granting a glimpse into her personal life for the first time on network television Burruss encountered the wrath of select blogs and personalities who questioned everything from her career to fiancé A.J. Jewell.  While at first battling blogs, Burruss became inspired by the chatter and later selected the title B.L.O.G for a new song and album.

Not one to be broken by personal attacks, Burruss, who has penned songs for TLC (“No Scrubs”) and Whitney Houston (“Tell Me No”), quickly became a favorite on the BRAVO reality show while continuing work on her follow up to 2000s “Hey Kandi” and songs for others, including  RHOA cast member Kim Zolciak (“Tardy For The Party).

Tragedy struck for Burruss in October of 2009, months after taping the then playing season of ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’ when ex-fiance AJ Jewell died after a fight at an Atlanta area club. Burruss has since spoken of Jewell, who appeared on the show, stating “he was taken way too soon”.  Pouring her heart into work, specifically the forthcoming album, Burruss appeared on the Real Housewives of Atlanta reunion show both discussing the Jewell’s death and performing “Fly Above”.

Enduring the ups and downs of another year, Burruss looks poised for a bright future in 2010. At this time there has been no confirmation as to when or if a new season of ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’ will air however, Burruss looks forward to the release “B.L.O.G.” with continued production, songwriting and entrepreneurial ventures.

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