Tamia Hill, known popularly as Tamia, was born Tamia Marilyn Washington in Ontario, Canada.  Tamia's first taste of performance was at six years old, singing gospel music in church. When she was in the eighth grade, she was recruited by the Walkersville Collegiate Institute in Windsor, to study music.

Tamia

When adversity strikes, that's when your real character comes out. Anybody can be cool when you're on top.

The Early Years

Tamia Hill, known popularly as Tamia, was born Tamia Marilyn Washington in Ontario, Canada.  Tamia's first taste of performance was at six years old, singing gospel music in church. When she was in the eighth grade, she was recruited by the Walkersville Collegiate Institute in Windsor, to study music.  She appeared in local theaters and on stage, and in 1993 was the recipient of Canada's YTV Vocal Achievement Award.  In 1994, she received the Steve Ross Music Scholoarship at the American Academy of Achievement's Annual Salute to Excellence.

In 1995, Tamia recorded her first single, entitled You Put A Move on my Heart, produced by Quincy Jones.  He later included the song on his compilation album, Q's Jook Joint Album.  The single hit #12 on the R&B charts.  The song became her first Top 40 R&B song, charting at #12.

Building a Solo Career

In 1998, she released her first album, Tamia, which she began recording in late 1995.  She received production assistance from Mario Winans, Jermaine Dupri, Tim & Bob, and Quincy Jones.   The album included a remake of George Michael's pop hit, Careless Whisper.  The album earned her five Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist.  It included featured artists, including Chaka Khan and Barry White.  

Her 2000 release, A Nu Day, would become her most popular album to date.  It included singles, Can't Go For That (which includes a chorus from the Hall & Oates 1980s hit, I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)) and her highest charting single, Stranger in My House.  The latter spent ten weeks at #1 on the dance charts.  Two more albums in 2004 and 2006.  

What's Next

In 2004 and 2005, Tamia toured with the Verizon Ladies Tour, and then on her own in South Africa.  In 2006, she toured to promote Between Friends.  She released Greatest Hits in 2009, which included a bonus DVD.  In late 2009, she announced that she would be joining Kelly Price and Deborah Kelly to form the super group, The Queen Project.  Their first single is due to be released later in 2010.

According to Nielsen Soundscan, Tamia has had a place in the Top 100 digital downloads searched throughout much of the latter 2000s. Her songs are available at her site and at various music sites for mp3 download or for streaming.  Tamia performed with The Queen Project at the end of 2009 and at the beginning of 2010, and is now busy with the group in the recording studio.

Did you know . . .

1. Tamia has been married to Phoenix Suns forward, Grant Hill since 1999.  They have two daughters.

2. In 2003, Tamia was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.  She plans to continue to record and perform as long as she is physically able.

3. Tamia's album, Between Friends, was recorded in South Africa, while she was there on a concert tour.

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