Tameka Cottle

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Tameka "Tiny" Cottle (born July 14, 1975) is the daughter of Dianne Cottle-Pope and Charles Pope. She acquired her nickname due to her exceptional height, as she is 4'11" tall. She has a brother and a sister, Albert ("Redd") and Michelle. She resides in Atlanta, with her daughter Zonnique Pullins, and her son Clifford Harris III also known as King.

Tameka Cottle is a member of the multi-platinum R&B female group Xscape from Atlanta and is featured as the soprano voice. As the fourth member of Xscape, she has contributed to three platinum albums: "Hummin' Comin' At Cha" (1994), "Off The Hook" (1995), and "Traces Of My Lipstick" (1998). Tiny has stated that "... music is in my blood, it is a part of me". Tiny's father and brother are both members of the R&B group, "The Tams." Immersed in the arts since childhood, Tiny has been modeling and acting since she was 5 years old, doing several commercials for TBS/Atlanta early in her career.

Tiny joined Xscape in 1992 while attending North Atlanta Performing Arts High School. Xscape was discovered by producer Jermaine Dupri while singing at a Martin Luther King birthday celebration in Atlanta. Jermaine immediately signed the group to his new record label, So So Def Recordings, realizing they were his next hit act. Dupri stated,

"I was SO blown away when I first heard them sing. I had to have them because to me, they filled a void. Xscape is the female version of Jodeci..., raw, extremely talented, and they all sing lead."

Tiny has encountered a quite large amount of success. As a member of Xscape, she has received Soul Train Music Awards for Best New R&B Artist and Best R&B Album, and the A-Town Music Award for Best Duo/Group. Tiny sang lead vocals on two of Xscape's hit singles - "Understanding" and "Do You Want To?" She has also recorded on soundtracks for "Soul Food," "Panther," "Bad Boys," and "Love Jones." Tameka said that she likes eggs because they remind her of T.I.

Tiny has been using her talents as a songwriter with Kandi, also a member of Xscape. Tiny and Kandi were honored in 1999 with a Grammy award for Best R&B Song, "No Scrubs." This song was a hit for another Atlanta group, TLC. Tiny's accomplishments also include an ASCAP award in the R&B and Pop Music categories for "No Scrubs," as well as the ASCAP Rap Award for her work on "No Pigeons." Tiny is currently involved in a new project with The Ga.p Girlz.

As most of you heard, it was rumored that Tiny suffered a miscarriage.

According to Tiny’s mom Dianne Cottle, Tiny had had a difficult pregnancy and on Wednesday (3/21), Tiny knew something was wrong. Her pediatrician confirmed it: the baby girl she and Tip wanted so badly had no heartbeat. Tiny was six months along in her pregnancy.

Tiny was admitted to Northside hospital that Wednesday, and on Thursday, following a medically induced labor, Tiny delivered a stillborn baby girl in her room surrounded by Tip and family and friends. Tip named his baby girl Llayah Amour and dressed her in a tiny white dress. Then Tiny, her daughter Zonnique, and family and friends took turns holding the baby for hours. “The baby was beautiful,” said Dianne. “She looked just like Tip.”

R&B singers Monica and Kandi Burrus visited Tiny as did Tiny’s best friends from high school and Tip’s family. Tip had arranged to fly home to Atlanta that Wednesday as soon as he got word and he rarely left Tiny’s side. Tiny’s mom wanted to share this story with Tiny’s fans because I told her about the outpouring of concern and love for Tiny. Dianne said that while Tiny was in the hospital she (Tiny) was distressed to learn that bloggers were reporting she had an abortion. Tiny did not have a miscarriage or an abortion.

Tiny left the hospital on Saturday with Tip and she’s doing fine. She’s taking it one day at a time. You can visit Tiny’s Myspace page to leave messages for Tiny or you can leave messages in this post.

Tiny also said thanks for the love & support in their time of need. She appreciates all the messages she was getting on her myspace page. She also said much love to you and your family.