Words and Photos by Alicia Cypress
R&B Powerhouses Fantasia and Anthony Hamilton are on a Southern city joint tour this spring. The North Carolina natives and RCA labelmates put on a 26 city-joint tour Fantasia & Anthony Hamilton: Live in Concert back in 2016. Both popular artists in their own right, Grammy award winning singer-songwriters, and actors put on a show stopping performance in the nearly sold-out Addition Financial Arena in Orlando, Florida on April 25, 2025.
Singer-songwriter MR. R&B The Mark Williams opened the show with his original songs that bridge the gap between today’s hip-hop/trap and old school R&B. He wore a bedazzled blazer that matched with his showmanship during his performance. He also set the mood with what was to come from Mr. Hamilton.
Anthony Hamilton kicked off his “Cool” set in black hat, leather jacket, and green slacks with backing vocals by the Ton3s. Anthony Hamilton did a little dance for the photographers in the pit during his hits “So in Love” and “Best of Me.” Hamilton covered Luther Vandross’s “Superstar,” and his fans sang along as well. Before he left the stage, he shouted out his sons in attendance and thanked the audience for being there for him after all these years.
During outfit change, the Ton3s, formerly known as the HamilTones, entertained the crowd with a rendition of “Piece of My Love” by Guy. Hamilton came back in a red flannel shirt, black jeans, and a trucker hat, all of which were reminiscent of his career, which spans over two decades. He performed the chorus of Nappy Roots’ 2002 single “Po Folks” and his hit “Comin’ From Where I’m From.” He had a spotlight on him while he sang a powerful sermon, preaching that no matter what we’re going through, we don’t need to stay there. Hamilton encouraged the crowd to sing “I’m somebody and I survived it.” He closed out his set with the popular songs “Pray For Me” and “Charlene.”
Fantasia and her background singers came in with a purpose, belting out notes of “Hood Boy” while surrounded by fog. Fantasia exclaimed she was trying to act stupid for Orlando while swaying and dancing in her black and white fringe jumpsuit. She kept the energy going with her 2013 hit “Without Me,” much delight to the women in the building. Fantasia interacted with the cameraman for a bit, jokingly telling him that he better follow her every move and not miss anything. She also gave a shout out to her husband before singing “Trust Him.”
If you know Fantasia as an artist at all, one thing she is going to do is praise the almighty. She and her background singers performed an emotionally driven gospel medley, with tears rolling down the American Idol winner’s eyes. The tension was brought up again with a cover of Tina Turner’s version of “Proud Mary” and Sheila E.’s “The Glamorous Life.” The crowd opened their fans during Fantasia’s rendition of “Boots on the Ground.” She then proceeded to give props to all of the “Baby Mama”s and encouraged her fans to “free themselves” with a powerful rendition of her song, “Free Yourself.”
It’s nice to know that the R&B genre is very much alive and as timeless as ever. The songs by both Fantasia and Anthony Hamilton’s discography are true testaments to that. Another selling point regarding the continued popularity of R&B was the audience.The older generations and Alpha kids in the crowd alike were familiar with most if not all of the songs performed, which made it a truly unforgettable experience.
Loudspeaker Collective 