The FADER Presents Its Annual Icon Issue: A Tribute To The Influential Aaliyah, With Contributions From Producers, Family, Friends & Peers, Plus The Voices Of The FADER Generation Of Artists. Check out the press release:
Born in Brooklyn and raised in Detroit, Aaliyah Dana Haughton entered the music scene with her first album, “Age Aint Nothing but a Number” at the age of 15. From that point forward, Aaliyah began to revolutionize the popscape with a quick and effortless swoop, embodying what the editors of The FADER love right now; her influence in 2008 an omnipresent force from the futuristic megahits dominating the airwaves to the demure pop sensibilities fluttering throughout the underground.
Before Aaliyah’s life was cut short in 2001, the Grammy-nominated artist sold millions of records worldwide—collaborating with producers and artists including Missy Elliott and Timbaland. Although Aaliyah was only in the spotlight for a short time, she had a major impact on these artists personally, and many others professionally including Mark Ronson, Ciara, Method Man, Beth Ditto, and Kid Sister. These artists and more were all interviewed, offering their take on how Aaliyah’s impact has transcended over the years, long after her death.
“It only took Aaliyah a few albums to make an indelible mark on the world of pop music, but today her influence can be felt across numerous genres,” said Chris Richards, Executive Editor of The FADER. “This issue not only tracks that influence, but also offers a more personal glimpse into the life of a true pop visionary.”
Missy Elliott
“We was gonna save the world. We was gonna change music every chance we got. We was gonna always be family. Forever.”
Mark Ronson
“If it wasn’t for Aaliyah being the face and voice of [Missy Elliott and Timbaland’s] sound they might have never got to where they did. They were presenting their sort of brilliant but challenging breakthrough music through this beautiful young girl who could sing it perfectly.”
Kidada Jones
“I think about her all the time…Anytime she’s brought up or her music comes on the radio, it’s sweet, but it definitely sounds like she found a niche before it was here. If you listen to her music it’s so relevant today, but we had it so long ago.”
Damon Dash
“She was already a fashion icon, she was getting into movies, she had already planted that seed. If she was alive today she would be so relevant. I see little bits of her everywhere I look, in a lot of artists.”
love her!!!!!!
I really miss her and as stated before. I see her in so many artist today. May her legacy live forever. There isn’t one person that could say anything bad about her. So much we can say for the music “DIVA’s” today. She was a kind spirit and may she RIP.
Love Sher
WOW!! Aaliyah truly inspired many. She was and still is a great contributor to the music world. It is a blessing that she is still being recognized after an unbelievable seven years. God Bless her family and her legacy continues to live on…
On a more random tip, I couldn’t even fathom what Missy said due to her incorrect grammar…ugh.
Aaliyah is a icon. I bet a artist consider her a role model right now.
ILOVEAALIYAHMAN.
serious fan – still pumping her tunes like it JUST came out!
n e ways, this is sweet.
and she looks so angelic in both pictures.
RIP . (L)
So great to see a cover-worthy artist still get cover-worthy attention POST -life.
Is it possible to find out where these pictures are from? I was a big fan and I’ve never seen these.. unless they are photoshopped?
I don’t normally comment but for Baby Girl! Aaliyah was a problem to all these R&B bitches! Miss her!
i can’t believe she’s gone sometimes
The very 1st CD I bought was Aaliyah’s second debut. I remembered having a dream about her after she passed. I love this girl and she will ALWAYS REMAIN A GREAT.
RIP Aaliyah. Shw was the best…even beyonce could not stand a chance beside her.
I miss her and her music. I just think what music would be like if her , left eye, tupac, and biggie was still alive.
its nice to see Aaliyah again……
Yahoo IM: tr3sDosUno
#6: I was wondering the same thing…big fan of Liyah and I have never seen these pics before…they are beautiful!
I still think about Aaliyah all the time. She was such a wonderful, humble young woman. For those who were a part of her life are truly blessed…it’s just a shame she had to leave us so soon.
We miss you!
I love Aaliyah but icon I say not, we had the R Kelly situation and the lasy album only sold well because she died. No disrespect just being real.
I have those pictures; they’re very beautiful, she was really young in them.
She is a legend and we all truly miss her. In my eyes u r not gone ur music still lives. Thank you Aaliyah.
i remember the day i heard of her passing…it was my birthday.
i miss her so much.
be nice to hear a new aaliyah song on the radio…
She looks so pretty in these photos.
I miss her so much!
man i still get mad over this i remember when she first died i was like 13 or 14 and I was just cryingggggg seeing that on TV I hadnt cried over any death like that before not even my relatives, that touched me with something I never felt before.
beautiful cover….oh and missy need to enroll into some GED classes or hit up one of those schools they advertise on TV cause her grammar is not up to par for a damn near 40 yr. old if not already that, we know you hip hop and everything but damn
#14….PLZZZ CHECK YA CHARTS AS WELL AS UR FACTS BOO…….ANYWAY….LOVED HER SO MANY ARTIST WISH THEY KULD BE HER OR WHERE SHE WAS ABOUT 2 GO…..DEYYY STUCK ON THESE ASS SHAKIN CLASSLESS ASS FEMALE ARTIST AALIYAH WAS NEVER OVER THE TOP NORE WAS SHE IN THE PUBLIC EYE AS BEING A NEGATIVE PERSON….I DONT TAKE NOTHIN AWAY FROM BEYONCE,RIHANNA,AND CIARA BUT AALIYAH WAS THAT CHICK…PPL…ALWAYS SAY SHE CANT SING BEETTTA THAN THE NEW ARTIST 2DAY….WELLLLL….LETS SEE OH YEAH SHE HAS BEEN GONE FOR 7 YEARS SO IF SHE WAS HERE NOW LIKE THE REST OF THE FEMALE ARTIST HER VOICE WULD HAVE IMPROVED AS WELL…..LOVE U LILI
Always loved her and her spirit. I got sad even thinking about it all. Seemed like a great person to be around and no one can say they don’t still bump her music.
R.I.P to her and Static. I know they in heaven together.
that’s wassup. good to see she’ll never be forgotten. i’ma have to pick up this issue.
I love Aaliyah’s music just as the next person because I bought all her albums when they came out, but I do think some people big up Aaliyah because she is dead and gone.Her albums sales jumped WAY high when she died and now all of sudden she is a legend to people now.But it has always been like that, it was like that when Biggie died and when Pac died.They become legends when they die, sad, but true.And I’ve seen these pictures of Aaliyah before, they are a nice set.
I really miss Aaliyah!!!!
aww this takes me back to august 25, 2001 =[
i miss her so much!!
not only was she super talented,
she was a beautiful peron on both inside & outside.
I still bump her last CD she released b4 she died.
LOVE U LIYAH!!! MISS U & WILL NEVER FORGET YOU!!
#14 I’m gonna have to disagree with your statement of Aaliyah’s album somehow being “lazy”. The album was very a creative, well written and produced classic and I’ve yet to come across another that’s displayed such a wide range of emotion in her genre. Critics raved about it’s originality BEFORE she died and her influence in todays music is undeniable. When you look at the new kids on the block you see her. When you look at the droves of people flocking to buy Justin Timberlake’s records you hear the sound she and Timbaland perfected.
And I cannot forget to mention Sean “Static Major” Garrett who also helped Aaliyah’s career be on everyone’s radar. He’s currently sitting at the top of the R&B charts with Lil wayne for Lollipop. Cheers2U and your family. R.I.P.
@ 27, not lazy I meant last album, my bad.
Sharonda
Sure her album sales went up due to her passing, but what does that have to do with her credibility? Like the article says, she sold millions and this was before she died.
I co-sign with 14. And that pic looks nothing like Aaliyah, she is prettier. Aaliyah did have a bad image, don’t be fooled. Sex with R Kelley and married very young. They can sugar coat it how they want but her last album was not doing good until she passed away.
@ 30 thanks, I loved Aaaliyah and miss her but lets keep it real, that week Aaliyah died Mary should have been #1. Her sales went up. Her first two albums did not sella smuch as Brandy’s or Monica’s.
I love Aaliyah. She was so cool and down to earth and extremely beautiful, both inside and out.
damn who cares about sales,yes i remember that her album was not doing amazing before she died and I remember “we need a resolution” was not getting a lot of love on radio but thats because the album was really ahead of its time. People were not ready for it. ANyway, RIP Aaliyah you are sorely missed.
In no way shape or form I was discrediting Aaliyah and that she sold millions before.I KNOW, I LIVE THROUGH THE ERA, TRUST.I was just stating my opinion.
obviously her death contributed to increase in sales of her album but i KNOW quite a few people who bought her album out of pity were pleasantly surprised by the album it was really good. i still bump it in my car radio to this day, lol. aaliyah’s music was DEFINITELY before her time, she was A stunningly beautiful girl with a lovely voice. i’m glad fader decided to pay tribute to this ICON.
Who cares about some album sales?????????????????
This was someone’s daughter that passed away…..
I love Aaliyah its been 6 years going on 7 years since she died and shes STILL relevant, what does that tell you. Im gonna get this magazine when its out.
R.I.P Baby girl
thats crazy i was just thinking about aaliyah today, then i go on CL n c this!!!!
i miss aaliyah soooooo much, its really a tragedy that she passed away so young when she had so many accomplishments ahead of here. i looked up 2 her growing up, she was always beautiful, sweet and classy. she didnt have an ounce of diva in her, she loved her art and her fans. i still bump “one in a million” on a regular basis lol.
r.i.p baby girl….we miss u
shame on yall talkin shit about rkelly n album sales, that is soooo irrelevant. im not saying she was perfect but every1 who knew her always spoke very highly of her. if u dnt have sumthin nice 2 say STFU!!!!! that was someones daughter and sister!!!!!
if rkelly passed 2day imagine how many ppl would b devastated n calling him an icon, pioneer, etc. n dat nucca was pissing on lil girls!!!!!!
Do you ever wonder what Aaliyah music would be like if she was still alive? I love her.
aaliyah luks dead in a casket in d pic, dey cud hav chosen a beta pic
R.I.P. Aaliyah!
love her music and movies!
love thse photos!
Why do people always have to compare? Why is anyone bringing up Beyonce, Rihanna or whoever else? These are all artists who have made contributions to music, in different time periods, with different styles. Like I never got why people have to spew hate, to big up someone else.
The girl was a good artist, and she had an influence on me growing up. y ya, no hace falta poner mas.
Aaliyah was a beautiful person inside and out…….a lot of people neds to follow
her example……….not me I’m just a hater
The greatest,im still waiting for a voice to touch hers,Missy was 100% right aaliyah would have changed music,the scene would not be the way it is today if she was still here.miss her so much,i am 20 now and i know when im 80,i will still be pumpin thoses choonze,we lost an icon but gained an angle.real talk she had something i havnt seen any other artist with, I dont even no what it is but i just know i havnt yet seen it from any1 yet.hold tite fader aswel…………………
RIP BABYGIRL YOUR MUSIC AND LEGACY LIVE ON!
HER, MISSY AND TIM WERE THE ULTIMATE TEAMING IN R&B IN THE LATE 90′S.
THE “AALIYAH” ALBUM IS ONE OF THE BEST R&B ALBUMS OF THE DECADE FOREAL!! HOW MANY MAINSTREAM R&B SINGERS TOP HOW CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE THAT ALBUM WAS?
I agree 42, Aaliyah was a great person who is forever missed. I don’t understand why the fans have to talk negative about someone else.. Aaliyah life and what she did spoke for it self.
Like the others she was influenced by someone. Who are we to say where someone career and life would be if she were alive. I really don’t see the comparison w/ ciara when she first came out. She looked nothing like Aaliyah or sounded nothing like her. People she remember her life and what she stood for, and i don’t ever remember hearing her talk bad about anyone..
Oh please y’all she was just a JANET JACKSON copy cat stop praising her.
@ #47
Aaliyah had her own stly and own sound and is NOTHING like Janet Jackson so stop chatting shit.
*style*
OMG! Are they REALLY Serious? No disrespect to Aaliyah and her “legacy”- if it deserves that title, but i wish the media, especially VIBE Magazine, would stop OVER PROPETUATING this woman!
They way they write about her career, someone with absolutely no knowledge of her music would think that she was some sort of POP MEGASTAR! Which she wasn’t. Aaliyah was ALWAYS a B list singer with a few hits under her belt! She didn’t garner superstardom and this level of fame until she was DEAD! People make it seem as though she was the hottest thing around. Her album was flopping before she died; it wasnt until her tragic death, that her record sales started to climb- sad but true!
I’ve been wanting to get this off of my chest for so long, because it’s really disgusting how people in music have such short term memories, and sadly attempt to manipulate history for emphathetic reasons. Yes she was beautiful, yes she was talented- But at no time throughout her career was she EVER as famous and talked about as now, in her death.
Think about it, there were about 4 MAIN R&b chicks out while Aaliyah was alive. Brandy, Monica & Mya. Out of those Four- Brandy was the most successful BY FAR! She sold more records, had mroe hits, more exposure, more endorsements and more fame.
Even Monica sold more records than Aaliyah while she was alive. My point is, give the woman what she deserves, nothing less. BUT NOTHING MORE! She was a talented artist with potential! NOT A POP PHENOM, WHO TRANSCENDED THE BOUNDARIES OF POP MUSIC AND REVOLUTIONIZED MUSIC- or whatever the hell FADER magazine was claiming. OMG The media disgust me!
awww. it was tragic what happened to her. Everyone believes different stories. However she had a good heart and i remember me being around 13 -14 aaliyah was my inspirsation. Ihope shes in a good place and god bless her to this day and her loved ones. she did put her mark on the music industry. I love ”Try Again” one of my favs songs from her. Its a pick me up for when you not feeling the most optimistic… R.I.P
Aaliyah was ‘that chick’ plain and simple:-) Whether people realise it or not, without Aaliyah there would’ve have been no Brandy and no Monica, maybe not until they were older at least. Aaliyah made it acceptable for young female artists to have careers. With her template it was then easy to produce more immediately commercial versions such as Brandy and Monica, Britney Spears funnily enough would also not have had the career she enjoyed.
Without Aaliyah’s work with Tim and Missy there would also be none of the futuristic rnb/hiphop hybrids that exist now. Without her there would be no Justin Timberlake, no Cassie…. there would most definitely be no Ciara. It’s that simple. Her work however you rate it in itself paved the way for many of the existing artists of the time to re-model themselves. Rarely was there an artist who excelled her work but gradually there were enough big movements that rnb started to catch up with her. Her last album, had she stuck rigidly to her own formula would have gotten lost amongst all the artists who’d copied her sound (or been influenced and ran with it) so she took a sonic departure and it paid off, with a result more comparable to hiphop/rnb/retro/neosoul that although not a runaway commercial success was still successfully experimental music.
Aaliyah’s singing style was minimalist and from the heart. Because she didn’t routinely ‘blow’ people underestimate her ability, however it was emotional and tonal range that she excelled in. Not forgetting the fact that after Michael, Janet and Britney, Aaliyah is ‘the one’ you think of when comparing the baddass dancers in rnb history. Sales don’t really mean a great deal if you are talking about an artist and pioneer. Aaliyah made art that connected to people who sought more and her presence continues to be felt. Gone but not forgotten, long live her memory xxx
OMG I love Aaliyah. To this day she is still one of my favorite artist. She truly is an icon and it would be so cool to know what her music would sound like if she was still alive today.
I luv you Babygirl. R.I.P mami:)
…and for the haters, wait for a Ciara post to start comparin people.
@ #52
Thank you!!!!
very well said half these folks dont know what there talking about.
Im still hurt about her death. We were the same age so we grew up together. She was was that natural stuff that these girls aren’t bringing anymore. It’s funny that her last cd, that she recorded 8 yrs ago, can still be bumped in today’s rotation. Damn, Aaliyah I miss you. Can you imagine what she would be into now? Her sound, her look, her acting? God Bless her family and loved ones!
I received this issue at work. I think they chose a lot of the shots inside the magazine to be representative of her death, as most of the inside shots she is lying down or with her eyes closed.
Also, the reason why the cover picture doesn’t look like her is because she had a nosejob before she came back out with “We Need A Resolution”. Notice that her nose is more bulbous in the older pictures (the one with the yellow top, compared to the more recent pictures before her death.
I think if she were still alive, she woould have been more focused on conquering Hollywood, and not been that pressed about music, as she was underappreciated in that area, anyway.
Now that I do think about it her music is so relevant now. And I bump it likes its knew cause it will never did. Its raw, emotion, and soul nothing fad like or that will just fade away in mere time.
Aaliyah was definitely a beautiful soul…
She had an aura and spirit that transcended music.
I still tear up after all these years. She’s Truly missed. The good always go first. I WILL ALWAYS LOVE HER
These negative – azz “I’m just keeping it real” commentors on here need to take that ish somewhere else…
So trifling how you spit on her grave and follow it with “sad, but true” and “yes, she was beautiful, BUT” …Stop that! This is about honoring her life and the mark she left. She was a major influence and very humble person and this is just not coming from her fans, but people also in the music industry….