In reply to sleazy.

Aaliyah was still hugely popular at the time of her last album release. It had not been even half a year since Aaliyah finished leading the sales of the Romeo Must Die soundtrack into the 1 million mark. Aaliyah's album didn't sound like the hits from the movie soundtrack and that may be what initially threw people off. If Aaliyah weren't still at the top of her game, she would not have been getting movie offers left and right - that much alone proves her star power at the time of her death.