The Chicago Tribune reports that Alicia performed for a crowd of 700 packed into the infamous E2 nightclub on South Michigan Avenue in Chicago, Illinois on Thursday, August 9, 2001.

The set reportedly only lasted 20 minutes, which left some fans disappointed. Though, the 20-year-old greeted the crowd with a smile. Shouting from behind her keyboard: “You know what I got for Chicago?,” then pounding out the familiar melody of Mary J. Blige’s “Real Love.”

It seemed Alicia wasn’t accompanied by a band, only the company of her keyboard during most of the “Afterwork Set,” sponsored by local station WGCI (107.5 FM). But Alicia made up for the lack of instruments with her powerful voice. After warming up with Beethoven’s “Für Elise,” she sang her cover of Prince’s “How Come U Don’t Call Me.” Without trying to seem too disappointed, she told the crowd that being able to be in Chicago meant that she had to pass an opportunity to perform with Prince in his hometown of Minneapolis. Although, she “looked comfortable with the mass of mostly female crowd, standing up and pacing the stage in tight-fitting black pants, a black lace one-sleeved topand and gold scarf covering her braids and gold hoop earrings.”

Soon performing the second single "Girlfriend," from her debut album, which was currently sitting at No. 3 on the charts. But it was her No. 1 single that everyone was excited to hear, “Fallin’.” Fans sang along so loud that Alicia “had no need for backup singers.”

Then at 9:05 p.m., 20 minutes after her big entrance, she exited the stage. “At least one person who paid $25 to see the show, which also featured J Records labelmate, Jimmy Cozier and lasted 50 minutes, asked for her money back. The audience had trouble seeing Cozier because the spotlight didn’t come on until his final song.” Jimmy appeared on Alicia’s “Mr. Man” track from Songs in A Minor.

On Friday (August 10), Alicia and Jimmy performed for free in front of the NBC Tower in Chicago. Fans in the plaza clamored for pictures and autographs from the stars. Alicia would later perform in Chicago in September and December for 2001.