36 years old…
That is the landmark R&B Princess Aaliyah would be this month. Unfortunately, fate had decided otherwise.
In a bid to salute one of the major artist who has put modern R&B on the mainstream map, From The Vault journeys back to 1996 this week to spotlight her classic ‘If Your Girl Only Knew’.
Developed by then-up-and-comers Missy Elliott and Timbaland, ‘Girl’ was Aaliyah’s Atlantic Records debut but most importantly the first indicator of longevity after her successful first album. The lead single from the singer’s ‘One In A Million’ LP, it achieved major success in the USA, peaking at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching the coveted top spot of the Hip-Hop/R&B Songs and Tracks tally.
Joseph Khan directed the track’s visual which featured the stunner as the Queen Bee of an Urban biker crew. One could argue the styling in the video is pretty faithful to what the “Aaliyah Look” that she would later become renown for. Bandana, crop top and baggy pants and of course sunglasses, Ms Haughton showcases a potent blend of “Street”, “Cool” and “Feminine”. Masterminds Missy and Timbo all appear in the video alongside 90’s staples Lil’ Kim, Ginuwine and R&B trio 702.
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Aaliyah, through her well crafted R&B and edgy videos helped redefine the genre as we know it and her influence can still be witnessed in Pop-Culture over 13 years after her tragic passing. Her death is all the more saddening when taking account that 2001 truly felt like the “moment” in time where she hit her mark as an artist as evoked with songs and videos like ‘More Than A Woman’ and ‘Rock The Boat’.
Considering the impact she had during her 10-year run as well as the extent of her legacy, it’s clear to say that the music industry would be looking a lot different if Baby Girl was still amongst us today.
Thankfully, we’ll always have her art to remind us of her incredible talent.
Aaliyah we salute you.
The one and only, Miss Aaliyah Dana Haughton, how I miss you so. No one has come close to your level, many have tried to no avil. U were and still are, pure perfection.
Overrated… Terrible live singer and dancer. There are many entertainers today who are more talented than Aaliyah was, but since she’s dead ppl seem to exaggerate her talent and impact. Rihanna is a better singer than Aaliyah and Ciara is a better dancer than Aaliyah and Beyonce is a better singer and dancer than Aaliyah.
I love it! An R&B classic.
Undeniably one of her greatest songs and most underrated. Aaliyah was so ahead of her time. It’s a shame people says she isn’t that iconic when her style and music is constantly recycled by today’s artists.
This is definitely one of my two favorite Aaliyah singles (the other is ‘Are You That Somebody’). Aaliyah was so s**-Z and icy cold at the same time!
ICONIC!
The visuals, style, vocals and that smooth a** dance break that I’ve always loved. So so original. She literally had an interesting career that left people wanting more everytime. She never tried to overdo it. The smooth slow hip hop dances she use to do gave her more interest by fans to evolve and do different styles of dancing, that’s why the “Aaliyah” era with the “Rock The Boat” and “More Than A Woman” videos really showed how much potential she had. Miss her a lot.
This was my jam!!!! Thank you Joe.
Aww I miss 90’s R&B
How I miss her so much! Aaliyah was definitely a head of her time. Her second and third album were so ahead of its time. When those albums came out in 1996 and 2001 there was no album that sounded like that, it was different and u were always wondering as a fan would she would do next. Like some of today’s artist would say, the music would have been so different if she was still around and I strongly believe that. It wasn’t only the music that made her so iconic, it was how she carried herself with such class, she had this girl next girl thing going on, but still very mysterious. I could go on and on and that why I hate it when people say she’s overrated and people only give her credit, because she’s dead. The people that say that has obviously not lived that erg.
A classic. Aaliyah was everything, beautiful, s***, and talented, and that pretty girl swag was everything. I definitely miss her sound.
If she was still around there would be no Beyoncé or Rihanna 🙁 🙁 🙁
LOL, girl, Bey and Rih would be here regardless, and still slaying with their impact. But you know who wouldn’t be here, your fav.
Beyonce and Rihanna would both be fine. They both carved their own, healthy lanes. Ciara on the other hand would be non existant.
Your a mother f****** lie Ciara is more Janet influenced than Aaliyah b****
stop trolling hoeeee you shouldn’t say anything because flop-ara doesn’t even have a career beyonce Aaliyah and rihanna all shittt on your fave!! ci-n***** is nothing more than a cheap knock off of janet and Aaliyah 🙂
How is flop/11 and FourFlopSeconds doing
BOTH are doing better than ‘I Flop’.
but where is I Flop ? it hasn’t made any impact on the I tunes chart or the billboard charts 🙂
I Bet has not even officially taken off yet you tried
no excuses beys 7/11 peaked at number 13 on the bb 100 with any promo and rih’s fourfive seconds is at #4 on the iTunes main chart without any promo and it barely to off just face it Ciara doesn’t have any fans nor a career
Yoooo you really need to stop setting yourself up to be dragged. Ciara’s career lasted 3 years. Beyoncé has been slaying for 18 years, Rihanna – 10 and Aaliyah 7 until her untimely demise. Your flop fave could never ever compare. Give up up you sour apple bitter b****.
lmaooo no b**** ciara would have never had her little 5 mins of fame !! but bey and rih ki ki they would have been around regardless tho
This was the first video I seen of her’s. I don’t know how I didn’t know of Age, but One In a Million was THAT album in 96 and 97. Yes her voice was soft and rich, but she also had a deep tone as well. Her style is still to this day like no other, the OG of Pretty Girl Swag. Aaliyah was so dark, street, yet smooth and s***. She will forever hold the crown as Princess of R&B.
Aaliyah!!!!!
I remember staying up til 1:00 am to see this LIVE on TV.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7zW0Swgoq4
can yall please do a write up/ rewind on the Aaliyah self titled era!!!!!!!
The older I get, the more I love that album. Sure One In A Million was her most iconic album, but her self-titled was the most dark and risky.
right from the Aaliyah album was everything from the ultimate popness of more than a woman to the pop rock of what if to the melodrama baroque of I refuse to the latin tinged read between the lines man ol man I love the red album
But she straight up KILLED this one tho.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snfV_fPKY14
yes!! This is from my favorite Aaliyah era!
the flopara stans are quick to make fun of aaliyahs death but be the first ones on her post LMAOOOO
@BeyRihLiyah don’t give the ZZZZ squad any attention. We all need to make Aaliyah’s post about AALIYAH, not any lessors or roach queens.
What lovely commentary to express. The one and only Aaliyah is definitely missed.
I’m sad that I didn’t truly start to appreciate Aaliyah until recent years. She was truly a jewel and one of a kind. This song still bumps today.
lil kim looked good in the video with the short hair
lil kim should have kept this look in the video she looked amazing
Great Song.
Your shade is so M.C, I love it.
🙂
Awwww. Aaliyah. When I was a little girl, she one of my ‘Superior Five’ (Mariah, Toni, Janet, Aaliyah, and Whitney). I loved her so much. I still remember when my half brother used to work for MTV and she performed for Spring Break. I wanted to meet her so bad, but because I was so young and my brother didn’t have enough pull, I couldn’t. He took a picture and showed me. She was so unbelievably GORGEOUS. I will miss her forever.
What’s crazy is how I was JUST looking at the huge I Care 4 U poster I bought right after her death. I miss her so much. 🙁
Cute! memories. R&B was so refreshing and edgy back in the day. Brandy, Janet, and Toni are three of my favorite 90’s acts.
Toni is the most beautiful woman EVER! I idolize like crazy. I live for Janet. And the Vocal Bible is my girl as well. Full Moon is like my 10th favorite album in the world.
um, no Brandy? She was the 90s t*** queen!
@Cici Da Baddest
Nah boo, if Aaliyah was alive there would be no Ciara. She’d have no purpose. Why have a knock off Aaliyah? When you could have the real deal real one?
This girl wasn’t even 18 when this song dropped.She was so ahead of her time
That’s what people don’t understand…she was making music that fans her age and older could get into all while being innovative and different…I miss her so much.
May she rest in peace. F**** you haterz. Go suck a diçk!!!!!!!
R.I.P Aaliyah such a beautiful soul
The good die young !!
She was ok, cute voice, and a pretty girl, but her dancing was so stiff and lifeless.
b**** u crazy go take your meds there was never anything stiff about Aaliyahs classic dancing!
Yes yes yes classic song classic album classic era from a classic artist. This is definitely one of my favorite Aaliyah joints! Love love love everything about this song & video her style her smooth & sassy vocals! yes just yes!
Iconic in her short time with us aided by the biggest and best writing duo of the last 20 years. Consistent hits! Fans lie, Stans lie… numbers don’t lie.
I love this song. Aaliyah was so great! I miss her so much. I agree with y’all above. I would love an analysis of her final album. It was so good and her most acclaimed. It’s a shame such a talent was taken from us so soon. I’m glad I got a tattoo of her + her music still resonates with fans so I can always remember her.
…………
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Sad to say I only know her now coz I was still young during that time and wasn’t very much into music but now that I’ve grown up I can see what a wonderful person/singer/dancer she really was. RIP Babygirl you always missed.