Aaliyah: a woman, an angel, an icon; forever and always the Princess of R&B.
Everyday I get on twitter and see Aaliyah slander, I know right, can’t believe it either. I see jokes about her death, i see people trying to take her accolades from her, I see people constantly tear her down to build up Beyoncé as well… I think people forget that Aaliyah and Beyoncé were friends, they had a connection. Both of them were on the same track to stardom, and that needs to be realized. Even on her birthday, i saw many people say she isn’t an icon, and she didn’t do anything special nor memorable. That hurts me and that’s why I feel her music (albums) need to be available to the public, moreso in stores. Her legacy is fading and its sad. The real music and Aaliyah fans know her, know her music and can continue her legacy and keep in tact the fact she is AN ICON!! And this article is to state why, while also so show to the Princes of R&B, Aaliyah. Rest In Paradise BabyGirl and Happy Birthday, you’re an icon and your music will continue your legacy,
Aaliyah still inspires:
Though she lived a short life, her work continues to inspire generations, and for the haters out there just look at artists today like Drake, Chris Brown, Sevyn Streeter, Ciara, Tinashe, and so many more artist. Aaliyah set her own blue print for female solo R&B performers. Her dancing was unparalleled, her soft and angelic voice, which she described as “street but sweet” was her own, and her style was unique; her signature hair covering one eye look is still used today by many. Her style was simple, yet elegant. She made tomboy appear sexy. Her style still inspires so much that a petition was created for Aaliyah to have her own MAC cosmetics line. Aaliyah was truly one in a million.
Aaliyah was different:
Aaliyah’s soft and mellow vocals allowed her to have a range of musical ability. For those that like to question her singing ability just remember that Aaliyah is still the youngest African-American female to perform at the Oscars, and let’s not forgot the A cappella beginning of her song “At Your Best.” If you can’t hit those high notes and runs yourself… then you can’t talk about her vocals. But not only is the A Cappella at the beginning of the song amazing, but “At Your Best” is a remix of an Isley Brother’s song, and she made it her own, at only 15.
Fame didn’t change her:
Not only was Aaliayh an amazing child at 15 with her debut album “Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number,” but during the success; she finished high school. Although “Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number” peaked at #3 on the R&B/Hip-Hop charts and became platinum in 5 months after its release; Aaliyah still was a regular kid. Her education was important to her, and after promoting the album and doing videos, she returned to school and finished out her high school education with an 4.0 GPA, something many, including myself, have not done.
Helped Change R&B:
During her lifespan, Aaliyah released 2 more albums alive and one posthumously. Her second album, “One In A Million,” became two times platinum in one year, it peaked number 2 on the R&B charts, and sold 3 million records in the US alone, 8 million worldwide, and all while being only 17-years-old. The title track was the beginning of Aaliyah’s crossover success. She teamed up with Missy Elliott and Timbaland and at the time, created a new sound. They double layered tracks while blending R&B and New Jack Swing and Neo-Soul.
The success of “One In A Million” was new, it was a precedent for her future, like I stated; she helped set a blue print for up and coming female R&B performers, if nothing more; look at Ciara. Ciara has elements of Aaliyah in her music and style, in a way, Ciara is kind of a fusion of Janet Jackson and Aaliyah, while many get lost trying to duplicate; Ciara took what she watched and made it her own, just like Aaliyah.
Jack of all trades:
Not only was Aaliyah a singer and dancer, but she became a producer and actor in between albums. In 2002, Aaliayah starred in her first movie, “Romeo Must Die.” She starred alongside Jet Li and DMX (who still hasn’t fully recovered from Aaliyah’s passing). Not only was Aaliyah on the soundtrack as an artist, but she is also listed as an executive producer for the film’s soundtrack. “Romeo Must Die” made $18.6 million opening week and the album made 11.5 million. Her second and last film, “Queen Of The Damned,” was released after her death in 2002. It made $14 million opening week. Both of those numbers extremely high for the year, and some movies now still don’t see those numbers.
Death didn’t’ stop her success:
Aaliyah’s death was a tragic result of her video for “Rock The Boat,” one of her most successful singles to date. The pilot who was supposed to take her back home was unlicensed and had traces of crack in his blood. His ignorance in regards to not only his life, but others who he was supposed to care for is ultimately and completely just sad and devastating.
A year after her death, including a movie, her label released a fourth Aaliyah album, “I Care 4 u.” The video for the track on the album called “I Miss You” featured celebrities and friends singing the lyrics while DMX opened the video with his own speech to Aaliyah. The album contained unreleased music from Aaliyah, and went platinum in one month. It peaked at number one on the charts.
Her style is timeless, her music defines generations, she continues to inspire musicians and fans alike. She not only helped change R&B, but set a precedent for combining pop & R&B. She was inspired by greats like Janet Jackson and Mariah Carey, and that is clear in her performances and music. All four of her albums went platinum and she set records along the way. She set trends, she made girls and boys want to dance the flamingo and mix it with Hip Hop and R&B. Aaliyah Dana Haughton inspired generations; she gave her life for her craft. She is an angel, and will always be the princess of R&B. Her heart and music lives on in her family, friends, and fans. RIP & Happy Birthday Aaliyah! We Love You
