Aaliyah
Aaliyah (1979–2001), known as the "Princess of R&B," was a multi-platinum-selling singer and actress who redefined R&B and hip hop in the 1990s. Her career was marked by groundbreaking collaborations with Timbaland and Missy Elliott and a rising film career before her tragic death at age 22.
Born Aaliyah Dana Haughton on January 16, 1979, in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Detroit, Michigan. At age 10, she appeared on the talent show Star Search and performed with Gladys Knight in Las Vegas. She maintained a 4.0 GPA while graduating from the Detroit High School for the Fine and Performing Arts.
She released her first album, Age Ain't Nothing but a Number (1994), at age 15. It was produced by R. Kelly and featured hits like "Back & Forth" and "At Your Best (You Are Love)". Her second album, One in a Million (1996), showcased a futuristic sound developed with Timbaland and Missy Elliott, selling over 8 million copies worldwide. Her 2000 single "Try Again" was the first song to reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 solely through radio airplay.
Aaliyah successfully transitioned into acting, starring in two major motion pictures:- Romeo Must Die (2000): Starred opposite Jet Li and executive-produced the soundtrack; Queen of the Damned (2002): Played the title role of Queen Akasha; the film was released posthumously; Future Projects: She had been cast as Zee in the Matrix sequels and was set to star in Sparkle and Honey before her death.
In 1994, Aaliyah was briefly and illegally married to R. Kelly when she was 15 and he was 27; her parents had the marriage annulled in 1995.
On August 25, 2001, Aaliyah died in a plane crash in the Bahamas after filming the "Rock the Boat" music video. The aircraft was overloaded, and the pilot was later found to have had drugs and alcohol in his system.
Her self-titled third album, Aaliyah (2001), reached #1 on the Billboard 200 posthumously. She is remembered for her "street but sweet" style and for being a major influence on modern R&B.
Aaliyah
Composed By – S. Garrett, T. Mosley
Featuring – Timbaland 4:02
2 Loose Rap
Composed By – E. Seats, R. Stewart, S. Garrett
Featuring – Static
Instruments played by E. Seats, Rapture 3:50
3 Rock The Boat
Composed By – E. Seats, R. Stewart, S. Garrett
Instruments played by E. Seats, Rapture 4:34
4 More Than A Woman
Composed By – S. Garrett, T. Mosley 3:49
5 Never No More
Composed By – S. Anderson, S. Garrett
Keyboards [Keys] – Renzo Pryor
Strings – The Black Orchestra 3:58
6 I Care 4 U
Composed By – M. Elliott, T. Mosley 4:33
7 Extra Smooth
Composed By – E. Seats, R. Stewart, S. Garrett
Instruments played by E. Seats, Rapture 3:55
8 Read Between The Lines
Composed By – S. Anderson, S. Garrett
Horns – Ron Blake 4:20
9 U Got Nerve
Composed By – B. Bush, E. Seats, R. Stewart
Instruments played by E. Seats, Rapture 3:43
10 I Refuse
Composed By – J. Walker, S. Garrett
Instruments played/programmed by Rockstar 5:57
11 It's Whatever
Composed By – E. Seats, R. Stewart, S. Garrett
Instruments played by E. Seats, Rapture 4:08
12 I Can Be
Composed By – D. Babbs, S. Anderson
Guitar – Sean Cruse 2:59
13 Those Were The Days
Composed By – E. Seats, R. Stewart, S. Garrett
Instruments played by E. Seats, Rapture
Mixed By – Dino "The Cut" Johnson 3:24
14 What If
Composed By – D. Babbs, J. Walker
Instruments played/programmed by Rockstar 4:25
15 Try Again
Engineer – Senator Jimmy D
Lyrics By – Static 4:05
Label: Virgin – CDVUSY199
Format: CD, Album
Country: Europe
Released: 2001
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Contemporary R&B
Aaliyah's 2001 self-titled album is widely considered a masterpiece and a bold, forward-thinking project that redefined contemporary R&B. Critics lauded its experimental production, artistic maturity, and cohesive sound, with some calling it one of the best R&B records of its time.
The album is praised for its "cybernated sonic freakiness" and "futuristic" sound that still doesn't sound dated today. It features a unique blend of R&B, hip-hop, pop, and electronic music, incorporating fragmented beats, distorted guitars, and unusual vocal arrangements. The influence of this sound can be heard in many subsequent R&B and pop artists.
The album showcased a significant evolution for Aaliyah as an artist and a woman, moving beyond her earlier work. Critics noted her newfound confidence, the sophisticated subject matter of the lyrics (mostly written by Static Major), and a more mature, secure vocal delivery.
Unlike some albums that are just a collection of singles, Aaliyah is described as a cohesive body of work where each song tells its own story. The production choices, primarily handled by Timbaland and Static Major, create a consistent and innovative sonic landscape.
Tragically, it became her final album released in her lifetime, but its profound impact on R&B and pop music cemented her legendary status, influencing artists like Beyoncé and Rihanna,