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Today marks the 10th anniversary of the untimely passing of R&B starlet Aaliyah. Introduced as R&B ringleader R. Kelly‘s protege at the young age of 14, the Detroit native precedented an R&B teen movement, leading the way for fellow female divas-in-training Brandy and Monica to share chart success. By the time she reached sweet 17 the ‘Hot Like Fire’ singer’s rise to prominence was imminent as she turned up the heat in her videos and on the charts. With then-little-known super-producer team Timbaland and Missy Elliott at the helm lacing the accompaniment for her angelic falsetto, Aaliyah found herself in a league of her own with substance, sass, and style.
Just two multi-platinum albums, a host of hit singles, and the respect of her peers, the millennium’s end saw the ‘Journey to the Past’ singer’s journey really just beginning as, at the ripe age of 21, she’d already more accomplished than many musicians achieve their whole careers. And, after an extended break, the pressure was on to see if the singer could match her 90s success.
Enter ‘Aaliyah’ – her self-titled 3rd album. Preceded by the #1 single ‘Try Again’, the singer was about to do just that in a whole new way. ‘At her best’ indeed; sophisticated lyrics, ‘grown woman’ sexy, while staying true to her signature sound, the new millennium was introduced to a new Aaliyah. And, fans’ embrace was immediately evident.
With the album’s lead single ‘We Need A Resolution’ making a splash on the charts and its successor ‘More Than A Woman’ completed and ready for take off, Aaliyah thought to make a splash herself and took off to the Bahamas to shoot the visual for island-groove ‘Rock the Boat’. Joined by BET’s ‘Access Granted’, the usually private starlet let fans into see the makings of what was sure to be her next hit on the charts…
We all know the story from there. None of us would’ve guessed it would’ve been our last time seeing Miss Haughton. And, to say a void has been left in music since her departure, specifically Urban Pop, is unquestionable. While we’ve seen some come close, those who grew up with and love her music know there is no duplication.
She was ‘One In a Million’ indeed.
BET’s ‘Aaliyah: One In A Million’, featuring an all-star cast of contributors, will air tonight, August 25th at 8pm ET.