Carol Riddick, Tamia, & Ne-Yo Rocks The Dell
Dell Music Center-Phillyâs own Carol Riddick set the right tone for tonights concert. This songwriter has performed in front of her hometown crowd and around the world, winning fans with her sultry voice and stage presence.
This sultry songstress-songwriter has graced stages from her hometown of Philadelphia and across the globe, winning fans and admirers with her extraordinary voice and presence. Highly regarded in the music community for her vocal ability, mesmerizing performances, and genuinely warm personality, Carol is a unique entertainer whose evolution is ongoing. Born and raised in South Philadelphia, music has been a part of her life since she was a teenager. It was in her early adulthood that the industry took notice of her vocal talent when she started touring with Will Smith and Jazzy Jeff. Since then, Carol has blessed the tracks of many distinguished artists. She is featured on records by Anthony Hamilton, Jill Scott, Norman Brown, Kindred The Family Soul and a host of others. Most notably, her distinct vocal delivery can be heard on Musiqâs âSoulstar,â the title track on his multi-platinum album.
After partnering with Axis Music Group, a Philadelphia-based record company, Carol creatively spearheaded the creation of her debut CD. What some may consider a massive undertaking for an artist came naturally to Carol, who co-produced and co-wrote the majority of the tunes on âMoments Like This.â Carol has collaborated with GRAMMY award-winning producers and songwriters including James Poyser (Erykah Badu, The Roots), Anthony Bell (Jill Scott, Jewel), Carvin Haggins & Ivan Barias (Musiq, Faith Evans). Carolâs fondness for the Philly International and Motown recordings on which she grew up is reflected in her debut album, âMoments Like This,â which carries on the tradition of music that moves people.
Her Sophomore project âLove Phasesâ which included the soul-stirring single âLove Like Iâve Never Been Hurt Beforeâ was scheduled for release in January of 2015 and its collection of songs expressing facets of the joy and hurt of love; whether it be romantic or self-love. In addition to her solo efforts, Carol also lent her impressive background vocal ability to musically acclaimed R&B crooner and Prince of Sophisticated Soul Will Downing, with his live performances, appearing as one of his background vocalists. Carol’s performance of the riveting duet âNothing Has Ever Felt,â initially recorded by Will Downing and the incomparable Rachelle Ferrell, is sure to take your breath away. Her beautiful spirit, sensuous stage shows, and passionate vocal delivery will surely soothe your ears and alter your spirit in the most alluring way.
Tamia a Canadian singer, songwriter, producer, and actress followed Riddick in the lineup. Born and raised in Windsor, Ontario. In 1994, after signing a development deal with Warner Bros. Records, she was asked by producer Quincy Jones to appear on his album Qâs Jook Joint (1995), earning her Grammy Award nominations for their collaboration on âYou Put a Move on My Heart and âSlow Jams.â Her self titled debut was released in 1998 and followed by a series of successful albums with Elektra Records, including A Nu Day (2000) and More (2004). Several songs from these albums became hit singles on the pop and R&B record charts, including âSo Into You â, âStranger In My Houseâ and âImaginationâ as well as her collaborations âInto Youâ, âMissing Youâ and âSpend My Life with Youâ.
In 2015, her sixth album Love Life debuted and peaked at number two on Billboardâs Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, becoming her highest-charting album. An NAACP Image Award recipient for her work with singer Eric BenĂ©t, Tamia is a six-time Grammy Award nominee and has been nominated for numerous other awards and accolades, including a Soul Train Music Award, a Source Award, and four Juno Awards.
Tamia in her Spinto Mezzo-Soprano voice had the crowd mesmerize with her slow down rendition version of â Stranger In My Houseâ and she had fun with the crowd showing off her vocal range with âSo Into Youâ.
Tamia âs voice range has three octaves and she displayed every one of them at the packed house of the Dell Music Center.
Ne-Yo closed the show out and after finishing âBecause Of Youâ, he asked the crowd âwho idea was it for me to follow Tamia.â The crowd of nearly 6k busted out in laughter as the audience at the Dell got a glimpse of the entertainer’s comedic side.
Ne-Yo, 39 and now on his seventh studio album, is in a good place since being married. When he debuted over a decade ago, the singer turned heads with a series of strikingly singles. Ne-Yo crafted modern standards and raise the bar for himself (âSo Sick,â âBecause of Youâ) and others: He wrote the top lines for Marioâs âLet Me Love Youâ and Beyonceâs âIrreplaceable,â both of which went number one.
Because of You (2007), Ne-Yoâs second studio album, was the second number one platinum-selling album debuted on the Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts, and received the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album at the 50th Grammy Awards.  His third studio album, Year of the Gentleman (2008), saw continued success and further Grammy Award nominations for Best Contemporary R&B Album as well as Album of the Year. Itâs singles âCloserâ and âMiss Independent âwere also nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, and Best R&B Song. Year of the Gentleman has been certified platinum twice in the US, selling two million copies, also platinum three times in the UK and once in Japan.
Ne-Yo went through his repertoire of hits âMadâ, âSo Sickâ, âSexy Loveâ, âBecause of Youâ, and âDo Youâ just to name of a few.
Ne-Yo made this concert personal by connecting with his audience as he danced with them on and off the stage platform. Ne-Yo was able to dazzle his fans with his ability to stay engaged with the crowd.
The Dell Music Center located in scenic East Fairmount Park, the center is Philadelphiaâs premier outdoor entertainment venue. This open-air amphitheater offers the best in musical entertainment and family-oriented activities.
Next Concert: The Whispers with Stephanie Mills, After 7 and Karyn White (July 25, 2019)
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