Urban Music Enthusiast

Concert Review & Artist Appreciation Piece

I was only 13 years old when ‘Stranger in My House’ was released.

And though I was very young in my adolescence, had not yet been in any relationship or felt anything close to intimate partner love, I learned every word of that entire track and sang it with unwavering emotion as if the experiences described in the lyrics, I related to. As did, every other woman, in my middle school class at the time.

In recent years, Tamia has gained attention for a line dance, she posted with her husband, that went viral. Tamia posted a video on social media on their 21st wedding Anniversary to her single ‘Can’t Get Enough’ doing a 2 step with her Husband Grant Hill, and it quickly went viral and led to fans worldwide learning the dance and posting various versions of the same #CantGetEnoughShuffle. A beautiful reminder after a 2-decade long career, that her artistry is still relevant and her love life with Grant Hill is still winning people’s hearts after all this time.

On Friday, February 9th, I took my Wife on a date to see Tamia live at DAR Constitution Hall. Washington, D.C. is the first stop on her 2024 Spring tour with Joe. 

Concerts are one of our most frequent date nights, and Tamia is one of our favorite artists so, this was an experience we both were looking forward to. Joe also performed all of his hits and put on a memorable performance. 

The songs I was most looking forward to from the Grammy Award Winner included ‘Still’, ‘Love Me In A Special Way’, ‘Stranger In My House’, ‘Officially Missing You’, ‘You Put A Move On My Heart’ were all performed and my spirit was satisfied for the entire hour-long set.

The highlight of the evening was her performing ‘Almost’ acapella, and doing the #CantGetEnough shuffle with her backup dancers while watching couples in the audience do the shuffle in the aisles all around the Hall.

Her vocal tone is angelic, with perfect pitch and impressive range. For her beautiful voice, a rich body of work, elegant stage presence, and embodying healthy Black Love for the past 24 years, this living RnB legend certainly deserves her flowers. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that she is also incredibly fit, and if she ever reveals her highly sought-after leg day routine, it will probably go viral just as quickly as the #CantGetEnough shuffle challenge. 

I left this show feeling a variety of emotions. First and foremost, I felt sonically stimulated and satisfied. Her vocal range and control are as intact as when the songs were originally recorded. 

As a Black Woman who is also married, I also feel inspired that there is so much love and joy to look forward to as you mature as a woman and as a wife. It was a celebration of artistry and love, and I was grateful to be a part of the entire experience. 

Thank you, Tamia, for 20 years of superior songwriting, vocals, and showmanship.

Easy Listening, The Urban Music Enthusiast.