Today’s From The Vault pick salutes the enduring impact of an artist that sadly left us way too soon – Aaliyah and her break-out hit ‘Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number.’
The title track from her 1994 debut album, ‘Age’ was serviced as the project’s third single and like the majority of its parent LP was produced by R. Kelly.
Interestingly, it was the artist’s first single to miss the Billboard Top 10 peaking at #75 on the Hot 100 and #32 in the UK.
In retrospect, because of its subject matter and lyrics about a girl wanting to pursue a relationship with an older man (and the fact that Kelly wrote the words to the song), it was deemed controversial. No doubt because of the singer and the producer’s relationship — but that’s another day another conversation.
Millicent Shelton was in charge of the song’s visualization and delivered a vintage 90s clip, one that resonates and reminds why the era is helmed as golden by so many.
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Boasting a stellar debut LP, which displayed a musical maturity well beyond her youth, Aaliyah indeed proved to the world that, sometimes, age can quite literally be just a number.
One thing’s for sure, the singer embodied the concept, as she has accomplished way more between 14 and 22 than most of her peers have in the length and breadth of their careers.
Long live her impact!
What impact?
Don’t, because Ciara was (past tense) JUST a dancer. Aaliyah put on better shows, better vocals, better style, sold more and looked better.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuYjGLjkRYs
So, I am an AVID fan of the site; I check EVERYDAY. I was listening to Tidal (it’s new to me,) so I’m learning it. Aaliyah has never played before, so naturally I look for it. Bummed they only have THIS album, but nonetheless, I hit Back and Forth… I hadn’t checked the site yet, so as it played I clicked the browser… ALL OF A SUDDEN, I SEE THIS POSTING.
This is when I really paid attention to Aaliyah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HN0GBRu10E
That is so true tho. I was a fan before, but when this video was released in 1997, I became a die hard fan of hers.
Yasss
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXIgolVohUA
The album and the girl that started it all. Brandy, Monica, Mya, Britney, Fatina, and so many others teem singers with one name owe their careers to this album. Age wasn’t marketed to teens tho, because I recall Back N Forth, but I always thought it was SWV for YEARS. It wasn’t til her 2nd album when I noticed Aaliyah. But I recall Brandy just fine in 94, because she was played on kids channels. If I’m not mistaken, Aaliyah was one of this first artist to perform on All That. And that slim, s*** tom boy style will forever be iconic.
But Britney and “Fat”ina outsold her tho, from singles to album, from US to Asia.
The shade towards any other artist is unnecessary. Every artist mentioned made their own mark. However, might I add, sales mean absolutely nothing. Sales are for popularity contests, it won’t win you an enduring legacy or an impact of which we are discussing regarding Aaliyah. Aaliyah wasn’t a blockbuster seller but there are many artists who have outsold her who we aren’t discussing today and probably won’t discuss ever because their only impact is just that, their sales. Sales don’t give you longevity in life or death. And as far as Grammys go, year after year we are reminded that Grammy’s don’t really reflect much of anything; especially this year. It’s all politics. Aaliyah’s impact culturally is unmatched and we are still discussing her today based on her artistic abilities alone. I think that speaks for itself.
And “Fat”ina won a GRAMMY.
This is the video I noticed Aaliyah. She was just so fresh, fine and that sound!
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG5ilt3Hrt4
Her impact? S*** Tom Boy style, falsetto on hard beats, Timbaland & Missy (Because SHE put them on the map), the other girls that came AFTER (From Brandy to Ciara) and the list goes on.
This album was a good showing. But it was very safe and that is only because R. Kelly was giving her same vibe that he made popular in the 90’s. Conforming but still showcase Aaliyah’s wonderful qualities as a singer.
She found her sound on her second album.
Did this win a GRAMMY?
Her second album is her most impractical album, she changed the sound of R&B on that album. And by her third album she finally came into her own. Babygirl’s legacy still lives on through Ciara, Rihanna, Drake, Sevyn Streeter,Teyana Taylor, Zendaya and Keke Palmer.
Heard that she did a music video for her 3 single or 4 single down with the clique feat r.Kelly at that time back in 1994 or 1995. Her second album is pretty good as well her third album too at 22 year old. People do still listen to Aaliyah music today world all over place
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