ABC Announces Primetime “Aaliyah” TV Special Ahead of Her Induction Into R&B Hall of Fame

Published: Tuesday 6th Jun 2023 by Rashad

Late R&B icon Aaliyah is among the genre’s superstars set for induction into the 2023 class of the R&B Hall of Fame.

Besting Mary J. Blige, Beyonce, Anita Baker, Janet Jackson, and others for the honor, the ‘One in a Million’ singer was one of 20 selected for inclusion in this year’s ceremony and leads a list that features New Edition, Jermaine Dupri, Peabo Bryson, Thelma Houston, and others.

Before her name is cemented in the institution’s hallowed halls alongside the likes of Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, and other R&B legends at the induction ceremony on September 24, ABC News announced the enduring influence of her music, fashion, and persona will be the center of the next iteration of its ‘Superstar‘ series.

Details inside.

Two months before the 22nd anniversary of Aaliyah’s untimely passing, ‘Superstar: Aaliyah‘ – a one-hour ABC special that follows the groundbreaking singer’s life and enduring legacy with never-before-seen video footage and interviews – will take over airwaves.

Beyond exploring her meteoric rise to fame, the primetime television event will also delve into her troubled relationship with embattled R&B legend R. Kelly and circumstances around the plane crash that caused her death in August 2001.

The special is accented with exclusive interviews with those who knew her best including Barry Hankerson (her manager, label head, and uncle) and former fiance Damon Dash (music executive). Other high-profile appearances come from artists who cite Aaliyah as an inspiration like music producer will.i.am as well as singers Justine Skye and Sevyn Streeter.

Ahead of the ‘Superstar’ June 14 premiere, watch the official trailer above.

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  1. Ww50do June 6, 2023

    There hasn’t been another artist like Aaliyah the industry is full of annoying garbage music

    • Keeping it real 💯💯💯 June 6, 2023

      Facts even though, Ashanti, Mya, Ciara etc have tried

      • T June 6, 2023

        Ashanti sounded completly diffrent to Aaliyah two diffrent soundy i cant not even compare them too.

      • True Tea June 6, 2023

        I think he/she meant the Industry tried to find a Female R&B artist who wasn’t necessarily a soul singer or POP but still had Mainstream appeal.

    • True Tea June 6, 2023

      This!

      Aaliyah simply had a vibe no other Female R&B artist has been able to duplicate. Jhene Aiko has also tried to channel Aaliyah, but still NOT the same.

    • Chet June 7, 2023

      If Aaliyah was alive today y’all would be calling her a flop like Brandy, Monica and Mya lol.

      • ♠️ it’s 50 aka Ferrari F-50♠️ June 7, 2023

        Brandy,, Monica can’t be princess of the damned…or matrix like her.

      • True Tea June 7, 2023

        People still listen to Brandy and Monica’s music, so I wouldn’t call them FLOPs.

        A FLOP is someone who makes music that ppl no longer listen to or even recognize decades later. Plus many R&B artists have spoken on Brandy’s INFLUENCE.

      • MC July 10, 2023

        No because her sound matured alot faster than Brandy and Monica, and she was headed for a bigger musical status. Plus she was unique in every way. I learned her first 2 albums *actually*increased in record sales the month before she passed. Brandy was fading already. So….

    • MC July 10, 2023

      There is a few good acts. I mean Lady Gaga is a triple threat, Beyonce is good, but annoying sometimes. She doesn’t do anything that different. Janet had her time. But she is still touring and one of the greats, so is Madonna. Mary J. Blige is still dope and I honestly feel she should have been inducted, but Aaliyah was something else. She would’ve been another modern triple threat from the RnB genre. And she was unique. But she didn’t get the recognition she deserved when she was alive. So this is for all her overdued rewards.

      • MC July 10, 2023

        Oh and Rihanna is still relevant and an all around great performer, but her voice isn’t as special, but can still sing.

  2. scumkatz🎱 June 6, 2023

    Wow I just listened to her last album lastnite b4 bed and cried the happiest tears. Every single song on the album could be a #1 hit today, it’s so ahead of its time – She was the 1st poster I ever had on my wall and our bdays are 2days apart ❤️ excited for new Aaliyah anything

  3. detruth June 7, 2023

    I would have liked to see this Star keep on shining!

  4. Andrew June 7, 2023

    It nice to see Aaliyah getting attention like this ❤❤❤

  5. Angel June 7, 2023

    The true facts are if this woman was still alive, Beyonce would never have been as big as she is now! Aaliyah was gaining a lot of attention and had so many movies lined up to take her star power further. Shame she died before the Janet duet could happen. Such a natural beauty and had her own lane. Think of all the artists that would’ve collaborated with her? She had staying power and a presence most artists lack today. Congratulations on he induction HOWEVER, the poll results and selections are off. None of those other names were in the lead!

    • ♠️ it’s 50 aka Ferrari F-50♠️ June 7, 2023

      Matrix wanted Aaliyah not beyoncé to star.

    • Shawn June 8, 2023

      You nailed it with your comment! Although I don’t see why all the aforementioned artists aren’t in the R&B Hall of Fame. Especially given the fact that Janet Jackson is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame which is a higher honor.

  6. Eric June 7, 2023

    I don’t like the politics of these hall of fame inductions, the Hollywood wall of fame, etc. but I love seeing this kind of attention for Aaliyah.

    • Eric June 7, 2023

      “Walk” of fame

  7. DC3 FOREVER June 7, 2023

    It’s crazy. Never seen anyone with only 1 #1 hit no headlining tours and only #1 album no major awards be inducted but congrats

  8. #TheTruth June 7, 2023

    Where’s the new album at ? Her uncle is such a liar.

    • KeyLoLo June 7, 2023

      We don’t want it 💁 And Im a big Aaliyah fan but he can keep that especially if it got features from all those womanizing industry men..I don’t see Aaliyah making ount song w no damn Future

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