Kandi Burruss says she and Tiny got all the publishing from “No Pigeons” because Sporty Thievz never cleared the sample [VIDEO]

The Xscape singer revealed that Sporty Thievz’s response track to No Scrubs became an unexpected windfall when the group failed to get clearance

Kandi Burruss revealed a surprising twist in the story behind one of the biggest “battle of the sexes” moments in music history. During a recent podcast appearance, the Xscape singer and songwriter explained that she and Tameka “Tiny” Cottle received 100% of the publishing royalties from Sporty Thievz’s 1999 hit “No Pigeons” because the group never cleared the sample from TLC’s “No Scrubs.” The revelation has sparked conversations about music publishing and how an uncleared sample turned a potential rivalry into one of Kandi’s most lucrative hits.

The 73-second clip shows Kandi seated on a white couch in a podcast studio, animatedly recounting the story to two other women. Meanwhile, she explains how Sporty Thievz created their response track without seeking permission to use the melody and instrumental from “No Scrubs.” Therefore, when “No Pigeons” became a hit, Kandi and Tiny collected all the royalties as the original writers.

“No Scrubs” Became a Massive Hit in 1999

“No Scrubs” was released by TLC on February 2, 1999, as the lead single from their album FanMail. The song marked the group’s return after a four-year hiatus following financial and contractual disputes that led to a 1995 bankruptcy filing. Kandi Burruss and Tiny Cottle wrote the track during their downtime from Xscape, with production by Kevin “She’kspere” Briggs.

The song’s lyrics critique unmotivated men lacking cars, jobs, or ambition, empowering women with lines that became cultural anthems. LaFace Records adapted it for TLC, adding a rap verse by Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes for the single version. Additionally, the track dominated charts, holding the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks in April 1999.

“No Scrubs” sold over 3 million copies and earned triple platinum certification. It won Grammys for Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group, plus an ASCAP award. The song became one of the defining tracks of 1999 and a staple of late-’90s R&B.

Sporty Thievz Released “No Pigeons” as a Response

In May 1999, Sporty Thievz—a Yonkers, New York-based hip-hop trio consisting of Marlon “Marlon Brando” Bryant, Kirk “King Kirk” Howell, and Shaarod “Big Dubez” Ford—released “No Pigeons” as a direct response. The track evolved from a mixtape freestyle called “No Vultures” by Mr. Wood$ and DJ Rhude, which was discovered by DJ Funkmaster Flex at Hot 97.

Flex enlisted Sporty Thievz to record it due to their style of humorous gender commentary, as seen in their prior single “Cheapskate (You Ain’t Gettin’ Nada).” The group changed “vultures” to “pigeons” for a milder tone and used a faster, bassier version of Briggs’ instrumental. However, they did not seek clearance to use the melody or structure from “No Scrubs.”

The lyrics flipped the narrative, accusing women of entitlement and exploitation, with lines like “broke pigeon head freak, should be lucky I spoke.” The song was added to a reissue of their 1998 album Street Cinema on Ruffhouse/Columbia Records.

“No Pigeons” Became a Hit Without Clearance

Despite being an uncleared response track, “No Pigeons” achieved notable success. The song peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, coinciding with “No Scrubs'” run at the top of the charts. More impressively, it hit No. 1 on the Hot Rap Singles chart and No. 5 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

The single was certified Gold by the RIAA, with 600,000 units sold. Additionally, it charted in Canada, the UK, the Netherlands, and Sweden. Industry estimates suggest the track generated over $500,000 in additional earnings for Kandi and Tiny due to its performance.

The songs sparked a “battle of the sexes” in 1999 radio and club culture. DJs like Funkmaster Flex and Biz Markie would alternate playing them to engage audiences, with women chanting “No Scrubs” and men responding with “No Pigeons.” This dynamic predated modern social media rivalries and influenced later gender-themed tracks.

Kandi and Tiny Got 100% of Publishing Royalties

Because Sporty Thievz did not seek clearance for sampling the “No Scrubs” melody and structure, Kandi Burruss and Tiny Harris retained 100% of the publishing royalties from “No Pigeons.” Kandi has described this as a “windfall.” Thus, turning a potential rivalry into one of her most lucrative songs.

In the podcast clip, Kandi explains that her team received full royalties because no prior negotiation occurred. “They didn’t ask or try to have it cleared,” she said. Additionally, gesturing emphatically. Therefore, the uncleared sample exemplified music publishing rules where originators claim full rights absent agreements.

No lawsuits are documented in the case, but the situation highlights the financial consequences of not clearing samples. Additionally, Kandi won an ASCAP Rap Award for her indirect contribution to “No Pigeons,” making it one of her most unexpected career achievements.

Fans React to the Publishing Revelation

The clip has sparked significant reactions on social media. “Two number 1 hits off one written song,” one user wrote. Thus, highlighting how Kandi essentially got paid twice. Another added: “Good for Kandi.”

Some expressed surprise at the lack of clearance. “I always wondered how the song was on tv etc. them dudes officially dropped it with no clearance or nothing some real spill,” one comment read. Another asked: “Why in the world they didn’t get it cleared?”

Nostalgia and humor dominated many responses. “I know them boys was mad,” one user joked. Another wrote: “That’s wild! I remember ‘No Pigeons.'” A third quoted the track’s most memorable line: “BROKE PIGEON HEAD FREAK, SHOULD BE LUCKY I SPOKE!”

Several users defended Kandi against criticism. “All of ya’ll in these comments mad at Kandi. Be mad at these artists for not handling their business,” one person wrote. Another added: “I’m glad Kandi snatched that publishing and royalties away.”

Some noted the irony of the situation. “The fact that their name was Sporty ‘Thievz’ and they stole Kandi’s song is almost ironic lol,” one comment stated. Others reflected on the broader impact: “It ended up working out well for everyone involved.”

“No Scrubs” Later Earned Credits on “Shape of You”

The financial benefits of “No Scrubs” didn’t stop with “No Pigeons.” Years later, Kandi and Tiny also received writing credits on Ed Sheeran’s 2017 hit “Shape of You” due to melodic similarities. The song became one of the best-selling digital singles of all time. Therefore, further padding their royalty checks.

This chain of events shows how one well-written song can continue generating income decades later through samples, interpolations, and uncleared uses. For Kandi, “No Scrubs” has proven to be the gift that keeps on giving.

Conclusion

Kandi Burruss and Tiny Harris’s revelation about “No Pigeons” highlights the importance of clearing samples in the music industry. What could have been a simple response track turned into an unexpected windfall when Sporty Thievz failed to negotiate publishing rights.

The story serves as a reminder that music publishing rules heavily favor original writers when samples aren’t cleared. For Kandi, “No Pigeons” became one of her most lucrative hits without her even being directly involved in its creation. As she put it during the podcast, Sporty Thievz essentially handed her and Tiny a second No. 1 hit by not doing their homework.

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