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Tamia

Rising R&B singer Tamia topped the Billboard R&B singles chart last year with "Spend My Life With You," a duet with Eric Benét.

Born Tamia Washington on May 9, 1976, in Windsor, Ontario, Tamia studied acting and singing as a youth and performed in church before she was discovered by legendary producer and recording impresario Quincy Jones.

After meeting Jones at an awards ceremony, Tamia accepted his invitation to sing on the first single of his Q's Jook Joint (1995), "You Put a Move on My Heart."

Tamia then signed with Jones' Qwest label and sang (with Brandy, Gladys Knight and Chaka Khan) "Missing You," from the 1996 film "Set It Off." She also acted in the movie "Speed 2: Cruise Control" (1997).

Also in the mid-'90s, Tamia sang at a show honoring Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and toured with Peabo Bryson, Kenny G and Julio Iglesias.

In 1998, she issued her eponymous debut LP, featuring "Imagination," "So Into You" and a cover of Wham!'s "Careless Whisper."

Last year, Tamia married NBA basketball star Grant Hill.

Her sophomore LP, due in September, will feature production by Missy Elliott, Dallas Austin and Shep Crawford.

Other birthdays Tuesday: Dave Prater (Sam and Dave), 1937–1988.

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