Fantasia Unveils Live Rendition Of Classic Hit, “When I See U”
Fantasia is reminding today’s R&B fans about the importance of live vocals as she flaunts her skills on the newly-released live rendition of her 2006 classic ballad, “When I See U.”
Recorded at the 2024 TIME100 Gala back in April, the new version was produced by Adam Blackstone and Dennis Reed. The record led a medley which featured her 2004 hit, “Free Yourself,” and 2013 gem, “Lose To Win.”
The original “When I See U” — which is a beloved R&B paragon — spent eight weeks topping Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The Grammy-nominated record remained on the chart for over a year — 58 weeks to be exact. It is also Fantasia’s most-streamed song on Spotify with over 249 million streams and counting.
The Color Purple star was among those named as one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People. Honored by Gala host and TIME100 alum, Taraji P. Henson, she praised the singer for soul-stirring talent and “sweet and sensitive but with a quiet strength.”
“You can feel it in her presence, and you can hear it in her powerful voice. When she sings, she transcends. It’s like she goes somewhere else and you just have to go with her,” said Henson before concluding, “Fantasia is a living testimony that we’re all going to go through storms. But at the end of a storm, what happens? The sun comes out. Whatever comes next for her will be so beautiful. She deserves everything. I see such big things for Fantasia—the sky’s the limit. Well, beyond the sky for her. It’s her time.”
TIME100: The World’s Most Influential People is currently streaming on Hulu. Fantasia’s performance opens the program.