Tamia

Early life

Tamia Marilyn Hill (née Washington) was born and raised in Windsor, Ontario with her mother Barbara, and three younger brothers Tiras, Tajhee, and Trajan. Aside from the music she heard and sang at church, Tamia was exposed to diverse music from an early age by her mother. Singing was always her passion. As early as age six, she was on stage singing at the local church, and by age 12, had already been involved in several musicals which helped hone her musical skills.

Tamia studied piano and voice with renowned Windsor musician, Eugene Davis, who was also instrumental in encouraging her to pursue her vocal passion. It was not long before the gifted young singer began receiving recognition for her talent. Her mother and Godmother decided that the arts program at Walkerville Collegiate Institute in Windsor would best suit Tamia's musical talent.

Along with attending high school at Walkerville, she made several appearances in local theater and choral concerts before winning Canada's prestigious YTV Vocal Achievement Award in 1993. Tamia, who has an African American mother and a white father, told Mic Check that she "had the best of both worlds," and added "that she's related to most of the black people in Windsor…. My family comes in all shades from really light to very dark."

1995–99: Tamia and other collaborations

In early-to-mid 1995, Tamia began recording her eponymous debut album, with production from the likes of Mario Winans, Jermaine Dupri, Tim & Bob, as well as additional help from Quincy Jones. The album's first single, "You Put a Move on My Heart", a cover of the 1993 song by British singer Mica Paris, was released on December 2, 1995, which was produced by Quincy Jones, off of his Q's Jook Joint album, charted at number 98 on the Billboard Hot 100, and became Tamia's first Top 40 hit on the R&B charts, peaking at #12. Another single, "Slow Jams" which was co-written by American singer-songwriter Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, features Barry White, and Babyface himself. The single also appeared on Q's Jook Joint, and appeared at #68 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at #19 on the R&B charts, becoming her second Top 40 R&B hit.

In the second quarter of 1996, Tamia collaborated with American singers Gladys Knight, Brandy, and Chaka Khan for the single, "Missing You", which was featured in the 1996 blockbuster film, Set It Off, and released in August of that year, the single peaked at #10 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and at #25 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming her first Top 40 single and third Top 40 R&B hit overall. By late 1996, Tamia had received three Grammy Award nominations.

Tamia's debut self-titled album, Tamia, was released in Canada on April 14, 1998, three weeks later it was released in the United Kingdom on May 11, and in North America the following day. To date, the album sold more than 420,000 copies in the United States and was certified gold.

In June 1997, Tamia made her film debut as Sheri Silver in the action-thriller Speed 2: Cruise Control. Playing the cruise liner's musical entertainer, she performed the Diane Warren-penned single "Make Tonight Beautiful", which was released as part of the film's soundtrack. She has also appeared in other TV sitcoms, including Rock Me Baby and an episode of Kenan and Kel.

2000–05: A Nu Day and More

In October 2000, Tamia released her second album, A Nu Day. The album debuted at number forty-six on the Billboard 200 and number eight on the Top R&b/Hip-Hop Albums Chart. It was later was certified gold by the RIAA and remains her highest-selling album to date. The first single from A Nu Day was "Can't Go for That", written by Missy Elliott. The single peaked at number 84 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number twenty-three on the R&B chart. The album's second single was "Stranger in My House". The single went to number ten on the Billboard Hot 100, number three on the Billboard R&B chart and to number one for 10 weeks on the Billboard Hot Dance chart. It remains Tamia's biggest hit to date.

Tamia released her third studio album, More, on April 6, 2004 in the United States. It debuted at number seventeen on the Billboard 200 and at number four on the Billboard R&B Albums Chart, going gold by the RIAA, for shipping over 500,000 units in North America. The lead single "Into You", a collaboration with rapper Fabolous, sampled the chorus from Tamia's "So Into You", a song from her self-titled debut album. The song soared to number four on the Hot 100 and to the top of the Billboard R&B chart.

2005–2013: Between Friends and Beautiful Surprise

In 2005, Tamia split from Elektra Records, and created her own record label, Plus One Music Group. The first record to be released on the company was her fourth studio album Between Friends. First released on South African independent label Gallo Records in May 2006, it was later distributed by Image Entertainment in the United States. Entirely produced by Shep Crawford, with additional production from Rodney Jerkins, it reached number nine on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Its first two singles, "Can't Get Enough" and "Me", both reached the top 30 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

In November 2009, a great hits compilation was released in South Africa. The same year, Tamia announced that she was working with longtime contributor Shep Crawford to form a supergroup called TDK along with singers Kelly Price and Deborah Cox. Their joint album The Queen Project failed to materialize however due timing issues and label politics.

In August 2012, Tamia's fifth studio Beautiful Surprise was released on Plus One Music and EMI. The singer worked with a vast of different producers on the album, including Chuck Harmony, The Runners, and Carvin & Ivan. Upon its released, it debuted 23 on the Billboard 200 and number six on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart with first week sales of 41,521 copies. Lead single "Beautiful Surprise", written by Claude Kelly, Salaam Remi and the herself peaked at number 24 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and was later nominated for Best R&B Song at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards. In support of the album, Tamia went on tour with R. Kelly during his The Single Ladies tour from October until December 2012.

2014–present: Love Life

In August 2014, Tamia signed with Def Jam Recordings, marking her return to major label ranks. During an appearance at a filming of Radio 103.9’s Cocktails & Conversation, she announced that her sixth album Love Life will be released on June 9, 2015 in the United States. It will be preceded by the first single "Sandwich and a Soda", produced by Pop & Oak.

Personal life

Singer Anita Baker introduced Tamia to Grant Hill in Detroit, Michigan. Tamia married Hill on July 24, 1999. Their daughter, Myla Grace Hill was born on January 23, 2002. Their second daughter Lael Rose Hill was born August 9, 2007.

In 2003, Extra announced that Tamia had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. In an interview with Smooth magazine, Tamia reported that the disease is seemingly in remission and that she has occasional but controllable symptoms.

Studio albums

Tours

Awards and nominations