Tamia Marilyn Washington Hill (born Tamia Marylin Washington May 9, 1975), professionally known as Tamia, is a Canada-American Grammy-nominated R&B singer. First gaining promenence singing the single "You Put a Move on My Heart," the first single from Quincy Jones' 1994 hit album Q's Jook Joint as a teenager, she is best known for her hit Stranger In My House and Fabolous's Into You, sampling her song So Into You, from her debut.
A native of Canada, urban R&B singer/songwriter Tamia got an early start in the music industry, singing on "You Put a Move on My Heart," the first single from Quincy Jones' 1994 hit album Q's Jook Joint, when she was only a teenager. That paved the way for the release of her debut album in 1998Tamia was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Although having a start in the traditional gospel choir, she soon developed an interest in singing popular music solo. At first only aspiring to be a vocal coach, she began singing in southern Ontario, performing "We're Gonna Make It" on the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children Telethon in 1993. She soon earned a reputation and several awards, including the YTV Vocal Achievement Award in 1993. The following year, she won the Steve Ross Music Scholarship at the American Academy of Achievement's Annual Salute to Excellence in 1994. Her star ascending, she embarked on a trip to Los Angeles where her voice caught the attention of producer Quincy Jones at a 1994 awards show after party.
In 1994, at the age of nineteen, Tamia recorded vocals for a Quincy Jones' song "You Put a Move on My Heart" from his Q's Jook Joint album. Jones released the song as a single in 1995, and it was nominated for a Grammy Award. Later that year, Tamia participated in another collaboration, "Missing You", a single from the Set It Off soundtrack that also featured singers Brandy, Chaka Khan, and Gladys Knight. The song was also nominated for a Grammy Award.In 1998, Tamia released her self-titled debut album, Tamia. The album debuted at #67 on the Billboard 200 and number eighteen on the Billboard Top R&B Albums Chart. The album was certified Gold by the RIAA.
The first single off "Tamia" was "Imagination". The single peaked at thirty-seven on the Hot 100 and number twelve on the Billboard R&B Charts.
The second single, "So Into You", peaked at number thirty on the Hot 100 and number seven on the Billboard R&B Charts.
The third single off her debut album was "Falling for You", which did not manage to debut on any chart.
The fourth and final single, "Loving You Still", peaked at number seventy-eight on the Billboard R&B Charts while missing the Hot 100.On October 24, 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. On June 4, 2001, A Nu Day, was certeified Gold by the RIAA. A Nu Day is Tamia's best selling album to date.
The first single from A Nu Day was "Can't Go for That" which was written by Missy Elliott. The single charted at eighty-four on the Billboard Hot 100 and number twenty-three on the R&B charts.
The second single from A Nu Day was the hit "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 ten weeks on the Billboard Hot dance chart. Stranger In My House still remains Tamia's biggest hit to date.
The third and final single from A Nu Day was "Tell Me Who". The single missed the Hot 100, peaked at sixty-three on the R&B charts and peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot Dance chartOn April 6, 2004 Tamia released her third studio album, More. The album debuted at number seventeen on the Billboard 200 and number four on the Billboard R&B Album chart. The album was certified Gold by the RIAA.
The lead single "Into You" , a collaboration with rapper Fabolous which sampled the chorus from 1997's "So Into You", taken from her self-titled debut album. The song soared to number four on the Hot 100 and to number one on the Billboard R&B charts.
The second single "Officially Missing You" peaked at number eighty-three on the Billboard Hot 100 and thirty-one on the R&B charts.
The third single, "Questions", missed the Hot 100 and Peaked at number forty on the R&B charts.
The fourth and final single, "Still", peaked at number eighty-three on the R&B charts and number thirty-four on the Hot Dance Chart.In 2005, Tamia split from Atlantic Records.
On November 14, 2006, Tamia released Between Friends, however, that album was released first in South Africa on May 15 through South African independent label Gallo Records. The album has three tracks produced by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins; the rest is produced by Shep Crawford. The Album peaked at number sixty-six on the Billboard 200 and number nine on the Billboard Top R&B albums chart. To date, Between Friends has sold more than 345,000 copies in the United States, 120,000 in South Africa, and more than 700,000 worldwide.[citation needed]
The first single off Between Friends, "Can't Get Enough", peaked at number twenty-six on Billboard's R&B chart. While missing the Hot 100.
The second single, "Me", which was written by Shep Crawford who wrote "Stranger In My House" peaked at twenty-nine on Billboard's R&B chart, also missing the Hot 100.
The third single, "Almost" peaked at fifty-nine on Billboard's R&B chart on March 8, 2007.
On October 27, 2007, Tamia released an album entitled A Gift Between Friends. The album is a re-release of Between Friends, with the addition of a few Christmas songs.
It has been rumoured in July 2008 that Tamia will record a live album in the forthcoming months. No confirmation has been given as of 16 July 2008.Tamia grew up in Windsor, Ontario, Canada with her mother,and three younger brothers Tiras, Tajhee, and Trajan. She was born to a teenage Black mother.
In Detroit, Michigan (across the Detroit River from her hometown of Windsor, Ontario), Tamia was introduced to then Detroit Pistons basketball player Grant Hill by singer Anita Baker. The two married on July 24, 1999. They had their first child, a daughter named Myla Grace Hill, on January 23, 2002. In 2003, Tamia and her husband announced on Extra that she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. In an interview with Smooth magazine, she reported that the disease is seemingly in remission and she has symptoms now and then but they are controlled. On August 9, 2007, Tamia gave birth to their second child, Lael Rose Hill. The Hills currently reside in Phoenix, Arizona.Tamia first acted in the film Speed 2: Cruise Control in 1997. She has also appeared on the television series Kenan & Kel, Beverly Hills 90210, Rock Me Baby and For Your Love. Tamia was also the focus of an episode of The Steve Harvey Show when two characters (Romeo & Bullethead) win Tamia concert.
