THE FADAR HONORS AALIYAH AND HER LEGACY
Saturday, May 10, 2008
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.”









183 Comments
COMMENT PAGES: « 1 [2] 3 » Show All
76.
Divine One
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
I miss her in the industry so much!!!!
77.
Tamika
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
I miss her so much. Her songs were loving and inspiring and she was a true performer & entertainer.
78.
Fine-N-Mellow
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
Aaliyah was truly blessed, she was a beautiful person inside and out, Love her.
79.
Liz
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
I kind of agree with some of the critics. We all loved Aaliyah no doubt. Her singing skills were “aight” and her dance moves were amazing. There does to be a over-emphasis and a bit of exaggeration of her success after her death. I’m not sure if she was as relevant as people are suggesting. I’m saying I don’t know, but maybe she was. What I’m saying is let’s remember her for what she was, not for what we wanted her to be. Let’s honor her life by being honest about it.
80.
shesha
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
yall konw beyonce wounldn’t be “B” if she was still alive. Babygirl did more movies than beyonce when she was still here
81.
Nothing But Love
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
@ #79 aka LIZ
Her voice was “aight”…. smh you must know know about her vocals, i suggest you listen to Street Thing, Never giving up and Giving up; all of which can be found on youtube.
82.
Nothing But Love
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
*not know*
83.
juicyb16
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
SHE IS TRULY MISSED & LOVED,BUT THE LORD GIVES IT & HE TAKES IT.
R.I.P BABY GIRL.
84.
Youngin
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
@80
Hmmm, This is funny but why yall act like Destinys Child wasnt around when AALIYAH was alive? When in actuallity, Bills Bills Bills, and Say My Name was #1 on Billboard Hot 100 before AALIYAH even had one, Try Again was her first Billboard #1 hit. Hmmmm? Destinys Child were HUGE Stars overseas and in the US, Yes BIGGER than AALIYAH! Writing on the Wall Album Sold like 14 Million worldwide. Now with all that in mind, all the success of DC, do you mean to tell me that if Beyonce went solo with all that support that she would not be a success. Really? I LOVE Babygirl too, BUT PLEASE dont make her seem like she was Michael Jackson status. Now compared to Ciara and Ashanti yeah, I’ll give you that but Bey/DC were BIGGER INTERNATIONAL STARS than Babygirl. Just gotta keep it 100% honest. RIP AALIYAH!!!
85.
Youngin
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
@50. Jov
I AGREE, but you know thats how it goes, when she was alive she wasnt really that big. But now that she’s dead, These people put her work up to the top, hell I wouldnt be suprised if they said that her albums was better than THRILLER LOL! I love her too, but I just wish that people wouldnt make it bigger than it actually is/was And alot of these folks are just jumping on the bandwagon now that she passed away because alot of them use to hate on her too, just like they hate on everyone else!
86.
Angela
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
She was pretty and had a nice voice and attitude, but I find it disturbing how people worship her. Not that I want my celebrities to save the planet or anything, but she didn’t do anything but sing. I still don’t know who the hell she was, what made her tick, her struggles, etc, to this day!
87.
BASSMAN
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
Baby Girl.
I’ve played her music everyday since her death. she died on my birthday.
88.
H-town Chic***
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
I’m a huge Aaliyah fan! Her lyrics and voice is something you don’t hear today. I agree w/ who ever said that her music was soooo before her time was correct and people wern’t too quick to catch cause her last album sounds like todays music. She was ahead in the game. I miss and love her so much.
R.I.P.
Aaliyah
89.
keishe83
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
——she would of been so influential if she was still alive today, nobody could touch her when it came to her dancing.
—-miss u aaliyah and RIP
——Sharonda—u’s a negative person for no reason. I feel sorry for you.
90.
Talisa J
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
Y’all dusty azz fuckers need to keep Ciara’s name out ya mouths! Always tryna hate on somebody!
91.
DANI
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
WOULD BEYONCE HAVE HAD A THAT MUCH OF A CHANCE HAD AALIYAH STILL BEEN AROUND… THERE WAS A GAPING, MASSIVE HOLE IN THE INDUSTRY AND BEYONCE BACKED HERSELF IN THERE.
THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A FIGHT! I SAY….
ICON? I WANT TO CONCUR… BUT ICON IS A STRONG WORD. ICON? MMMMM… WE SEE HER INFLUENCES IN MANY ARTISTS TODAY, BUT ICON… I CAN’T AGREE.
WHAT I WILL SAY IS HER AND BEYONCE HAVE SIMILAR ACTING TALENTS- MEDIOCRE….
R.I.P AALIYAH, YOUR MUSIC WAS BEAUTIFUL AND SETTLES IN WITH MY CURRENT ALBUMS AS IF YOU RECORDED IT YESTERDAY…
GOD BLESS
92.
silly_rabbit
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
My soul sista…I love Aaliyah. I actually think about her like almost everyday and don’t even realize it. Her death really bothered me for the first couple years — like it messed me up for real. It’s ‘cuz I took her music and her for granted…I never thought she’d…you know…
And she is still around, too…I always think of her when I see Ashanti or Ciara or pretty much any new singer…yeah.
Seven years!?! No way. =[
93.
UM...I GUESS
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
i still cant wrap my head around the fact that she’s no longer here. she was so gifted is so many ways. she is and forever will be truly missed. i loved her as an artist, but feel as tho if i were given the chance to meet her and really get to know her, i would love her as a person even more so.
♥rip
94.
itzzzkimmm
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
A beautiful woman inside and out.
95.
UM...I GUESS
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
*in
96.
DDAI
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
MISS HER!!!! gotta agree with the damon dsh comment about seeing parts of her in every rnb female artists these days indeed she stepped the game up!!!!
97.
silly_rabbit
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
And I’m not hating on the singer’s who came out after Aaliyah. I’m just saying that they remind me of her…yeah they have talent and got their own things goin on, but they still remind me, and I’m sure many others, of Aaliyah and that prolly really sucks for them but what can you do?
Aaliyah is a legend.
98.
KB
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
@DANI
I see what your saying, but I think on the music front, Beyonce easy access due to her DC success. DC had a big international fanbase that would’ve helped Beyonce surpass AAliyah. I think ppl’s dislike for Beyonce is crazy that whenever Babygirl’s name comes up they just want to throw Beyonce’s name in the fire with the Ashanti’s and Ciara’s, but they know good and damn well that #1. Bey and Babygirl was nothing alike, their singing and styles were totally different. #2 Destinys Child was on top of the Charts even before AAliyah died, and it wasnt because of no damn Kelly, Michelle or LeToya, but because of Beyonce. They were way more Mainstream than Babygirl.
99.
Teflon Boy
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
Credit where it’s due, if you want to talk about influence on modern girl groups then beyond TLC, Destiny’s Child and Beyonce can be talked about all day. When it comes to solo female artists in contemporary rnb and popular culture then Aaliyah’s influence influence is pretty noticeable. I agree that she is not an icon necessarily but she was influencial when she was alive (how many acts does Madonna sample? She sampled Aaliyah. George Michael sampled Aaliyah too) and still remains influencial for a lot of artists in the game in her absence. Aaliyah’s career was the architect for a lot of what has come since.
100.
dontmatta
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
she had the IT factor written all over her. don’t know what it was but she had it.
101.
blackisbeautiful
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
Aaliyah was very much different from her R&B competitors. Aaliyah wanted her privacy so she will take long breaks. No she might not have been bigger than Brandy at the time of the 90’s however Aaliyah did have endorsement deals remember Tommy Hillfiger? People fail to realize that she has sung for the president and many prestiges events. She has done enough to keep people in membrance of her name. She was very well known in the industry and had so many friends. Why you think there were so many people that attended her funeral if she wasn’t this mega popstar? People still talk about Phyllis Hyman and Donny Hathaway and they were not the most famous soul singers across the world but they are still talked about today because their music was impactful to many. So basing things off of album sales and awards does not always make you an icon. Diane Warren has won so many awards and has collected so many checks for writing countless number one classic hits but does that make her icon? I don’t know because alot of people don’t know who she is. Which is my point since people want to bring up awards and selling records is what you makes you an icon lol. Does not always.
102.
blackisbeautiful
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
With all due respect leave Beyonce and other artist name out of this post because this is about Aaliyah. This is about honoring her not other artist.
103.
classylady
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
You really get to know these artists that you usually see from afar when you see them give interviews or read their interviews. I can remember seeing her in an interview once, and she was just so humble and so sweet, and beautiful, such a lady that for the first AND ONLY time ever I said I wanted to be like a celebrity.
104.
MissTee2U
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
i had the fortunate experience of meeting her and she was truly one of the most beautiful people, inside and out, that i’ve ever encountered in or out of the business…..
R.I.P. Aaliyah….
105.
Jamal
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
Aaliyah was a modern day Sade. You saw her when she wanted you to see her. She wasn’t about over-saturating the market like some of the starlets today. She knew the importance of her absence. She was very smart in knowing to grow her career slowly. It was truly as if she blossomed right before our eyes. I remember every cat in high school and college wanted a shorty like Aaliyah. Like everyone said earlier, she would still be relevant and making moves today if she were alive. You just knew. Why is it that her name is still being brought up 7 years later? That’s a testament to her legacy in itself.
Rest In Peace Aaliyah.
106.
Beeyah!
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
When people pass away people tend to only see what they choose to see and it’s been the case with Aaliyah. She was very talented and beautiful but it’s disturbing how SOME not all but some of her fans have found the need to airbrush the truth about her personal life and her actual level of success when she was alive.
Rest in peace Aaliyah.
107.
Monique
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
It’s funny how some of you equate singing in a soft falsetto with being a weak singer. Aaliyah could blow just as well as Monica, if not better. Do some of you not remember her banging track, “The One I Gave My Heart To”? But it just was her style. That’s what set her apart from others. She was the anti-r&b singer in a sense. Subtlety was what she was about. Less is more.
And to the person who said she would be as relevant as Brandy and Monica today is a damn lie. While their careers were descending in in the 2000’s, Aaliyah’s career was gaining momentum with the new album and movies that were rolling in.
I suppose only the older generation remembers. I’m 28, am I showing my age? lol
108.
Knuck
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
Umm.. # 52 .. Aaliyah and Brandy came out at the same time
109.
PEEPLPAYATTENSHUN
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
@ #50 # 84 #85 #86 DISAGREES & AGREES W/ ALOT OF WHAT YALL HAVE SAID BUT…
I AM A SELF PROFESSING AALIYAH STAN. TO THE POINT WHERE I WOULD GIVE HER “LEGENDARY STATUS”, NAW. I THINK WHAT IT IS WAS THAT THIS CHICK HAD THAT POTENTIAL AND WAS RIGHT ON THE CUSP OF BREAKING THROUGH THAT THRESHOLD FROM CELEB TO SUPERSTAR, ESPESCIALLY W/ HER SLATED TO HAVE BEEN IN THE MATRIX SEQUELS. THE ONLY ONES WHO REALLY COULD APPRECIATE THE VERY BIASED FADER ISSUE ARE AALIYAH’S SUPERSTANS. AND AS MENTIONED, THEIR WAS ALOT TO THIS GIRL I DON’T EVEN KNOW ABOUT. WHAT WAS REALLY GOING ON W/ HER & UNCLE R KELLY. YOU HAVE TO ASK W/ THE SH*T FINALLY HITTING THE FAN FOR HIM, WHICH POTENTIALLY COULD HAVE BEEN SEEN COMING WAY BACK THEN. I THINK HER BEAUTY PROCEDED HER SINGING ABILITY BUT SOMETHING ABOUT HER PERSONALITY THAT SUPERCEDED HER PHYSICAL. R.I.P. TO AALIYAH (& TO THE OTHERS WHO PARISHED IN THE ACCIDENT W/ HER)
110.
Shaniqua
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
Why the hell are some of you bringing up album sales? WTF does that have to do with her being a trendsetting artist that broke ground and changed music with Timbaland? Musically, she stomps on everyone out now, including your beloved Beyonce. Not to take anything away from Beyonce because she’s a living legend in her own right. Aaliyah had depth and soul. No one is overrating Aaliyah because she’s dead. Critics and peers always held her in high regard while she was alive, so stop with that bull ish.
111.
Ms.VooDoo
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
THAT IS A VERY LOVELY PICTURE OF AALIYAH….ITS VERY………….SURREAL
112.
KB
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
@Monique
I agree with what you said, in 2000/01, Babygirl was on the come up unlike Brandy and Monica. But the thing I have an issue with is, People trying to make it seem like Beyonce and even some say Alicia Keys would be irrelevent if Babygirl was alive. Thats sooo not the case, all 3 are different and had different sounds and like I said Destinys Child already had a huge folowing and Big hits, even when AALIYAH had the Try Again hit song out, so Beyonce was gonna do her no matter who was out. Thats how I see it.
113.
C
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
I’ma have to pick up that magazine…Aaliyah was a beautiful person not just physically but as a whole, its good to see her get recognition for what she has done, instead of being downplayed as she usually is…she was versatile and created timeless music not something you can say for all artist…
114.
bitch aint crazy
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
Aaliyah was and always be the it. Im convinced that if she was still alive she would be the biggest chart toping number 1 artist there is. RIP Aaliyah
115.
GreatestLoveOfAll
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
AND SHE WAS A GREAT SINGER, BUT UNLIKE ALL DESE BIG VOICED DIVAS SHE DIDNT WANNA GO DOWN DAT ROUTE!!! SHE WAS A SUBTLE SINGER—BUT LISTEN TO THE ONE I GAVE MY HEART TO—THERE’S YOUR PROOF.
SHE DIDNT NEED TO SHOUT AND OVERSING LIKE SO MANY OF EM!!
116.
Nee-Nee
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
I don’t even know why you know who’s name was even mentioned,and i’m a fan of her’s,but to be fair she would have had a career if Aaliyah was still alive,they were two totally different artists,there is room for more than one star to shine.
117.
imdopeyo
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
i fuckin love this woman.
118.
Eve
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
RIP Baby Girl!
119.
crunkpoet
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
fuck everybody…aaliyah was great before she died and if you CHECK YA FACTS THE ALBUM WAS DOING GOOD BEFORE SHE DIED…THANKS! ANYWHOO FUCK BEYONCE AND ANY BITCH THAT GOT SOMETHING BAD TO SAY ABOUT HER….BABY GIRL WAS BEAUTIFUL INSIDE AND OUT AND I CANT BELIEVE SHE IS GONE..WOW…
120.
Musi Is My Destiny
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
Aaliyah defidently deserved to be recognized as a Icon she had a beautiful spirit and her legacy and music will live on through her fans and people that knew her. R.I.P Aaliyah Dana Haughton……I Love You!!
121.
Eve
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
And to add my two cent…Aaliyah was great because what she was doing at the time was groundbreaking as far as the sound and music Missy/Timbaland produced. She couldn’t be compared to the other artist. Thats why there were always comparison’s and competition for sales between Brandy and monica because they were your typical classic R&B singers. Aaliyah was fresh…she was new. I remember her videos being one of the first to have that futuristic appeal to it. She was a talented singer, actress, and dancer. Incomparable to anybody out then or now. Beyonce is strong vocally but couldn’t touch Aaliyah on the dance floor. I think she waas relevant as they say because she can’t be categorized or compared to anybody then or now. If she was alive I think she would of continued that revolutionary nature and slain all these R&B chicks…She was the greatest! Anyone who says otherwise has truly forgotten her legacy…. I know I was rockn the small crop tops and baggy pants..lol She was bad
122.
C
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
Agree with Monique and the others speaking on her voice, she had a voice beyond her soft falsetto, very versatile (Blues, rock, classic R&B, gospel), check out “Giving Up” her Donny Hathaway Remake (showcases some of her range in full voice, she adds her own lil’ spin on it with some blues notes as well) …just leaves me wondering what was she really capable of vocally
123.
shoyouright
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
loved the hell out of this woman. may she rest in peace.
her icon status is justified by the influence she had on so many people be it the subtlties in her music (her runs/riffs in her deliberate yet soothing falsetto are still being imitated today), her style (any woman born before 1990 at one point was stylistically influenced by her from the dress with the split on both sides to the swoop coiffe-game), the futuristic r&b sound that permeated her last LP, and her balance between beauty and humility. tim and missy would have never had the chance to shine without having the right voice to ride and layer their schizophrenic beat patterns.
regardless of sales post-mortem (though “aaliyah” has sold 13 million worldwide and was certified gold before her passing) and personal drama, she took it all in stride and with regal grace. she was truly our princess, and a classic definition of a rising star being snuffed out before reaching their true potential.
cherish each day.
124.
shoyouright
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
80’s babies know what’s up with this woman. sorry for the 2nd post, but for the rest of you all, i’d like to know who you would consider as “icons” for your generation? i’m just curious.
125.
NuAgenda77
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
I’m so glad Aaliyah’s getting so much attention now since her passing because when she was alive Brandy was kicking her butt in sales and everything. I don’t hear anyone calling Brandy or Monica legends or icons though. LOL I’m sure if they passed away people would be throwing titles their way as well. :\
126.
NuAgenda77
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
Oh yea, may she rest in peace.
127.
NuAgenda77
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
I will agree that Aaliyah had the “IT” factor going on, even though she wasn’t my favorite of the three (Brandy/Monica/Aaliyah), her style was on point. She really did Janet justice since that was her idol.
128.
REBEL
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
She sold 32 Million Worldwide, Won 3 AMA’s, Grammy nominated 5 times, 2 MTV Video Awards, 2 Image, 5 Soul Train, 5 World Music Awards, & A source award
129.
MissinMyBabyGirl
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
Like everyone keeps saying…she is STILL so relavent today!!
she is still my favorite artist, and always will be!
I miss her sooooooooo much and i could go on for days about how much i miss her or how much i wish she was still here; but shes not. Anyway, Im glad Fader is honoring her because she truly deserves it. Theres a lot of artist out there today who were obviously inspired by Aaliyah, but honestly i think no one is one her level quite yet. She had the voice, dance, and personality that just made everyonoe fall in love with her. && i have yet to see an artist who embodies all three qualities today.
and on a serious note, i dont take it lightly when artist compare themselves to her or say they think they are similar to her for many reasons. but im going to stop while im ahead b/c like i said b4, when it come to Liyah i could talk for days on end. But i really do miss her, love her, && my opinion she was the best that ever did it!!!!!
Love u Liyah ♥
130.
A Tribute To The Influential Aaliyah * « Ms. Notoriously Addictive
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
[...] from family, friends, producers and also the voices of The FADER Generation Of Artists. Check out Concrete Loop for the press release and a few words from Missy Elliot, Damon Dash, Mark Ronson and Kidada Jones. [...]
131.
Dame
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
I love Aaliyah and listen to her music still.
132.
Emma V's Great-Grandaughter
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
Very nice tribute and she was a very good artist. You can see alot of her in other people’s music today.And why some of you worrying about her last album not doing so well before she passed way?
133.
Scorpio
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
It took y’all all of 10 posts before somebody had to mention Bee’s name lol! IMO I loved Aaliyah and I was heart broken when I heard how she died. But y’all can’t seriously compare her to Bee, Ciara maybe but not Bee. You can say that there would probably be no Ciara, without Aaliyah, but Bee had already made a name for herself even when she was alive (even if only in DC). Bee might not have been the better dancer, but she had the TOTAL package. Aaliyah was a moderate singer at best. RIP!
134.
MS.DYME
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
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….
^^^^ If it’s about honoring aaliyah’s life why do commentators keep bringing up other artists? I miss aaliyah; She was so talented & beautiful but at the same time people defenitely hype up her ‘legacy’ & of course she became larger than life after she died. I just hate it when people say there would be no “Ciara” or “beyonce” just to aggrandize aaliyah’s worth in the music industry. I have a real problem with that. Of course she influenced other artists but to say there would not be this person or that person is kind of ignorant. Especially considering beyonce & especially ciara’s style is so different from aaliyah’s….
I also hate how Left-eye doesn’t does not get enough recognition & she died. She defenitely had an impact on the music industry & when the anniversy of her death came up in april CL did not give her a post nor did any magazine or anything. Why didn’t left-eye become “larger than life” after she died. I just think it’s ashame that Lisa doesn’t get enough gratification for the mark she made & her accomplishments.
Last but not least, I know where honoring someone’s life but let’s not act like they’re God……
135.
LiyahBearz
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
I miss Aaliyah ♥ she was and still is soooooo very special. Appearently everyone else misses too! b/c just like when she was here; everyone still wants a reason to talk about her…
136.
guuul
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
aaliyah is my gurl i luv her!!!
137.
Aaliyah Forever
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
#14,#29,#47,#50,#54#84,#86 and any one else that has any negative feelings and opinions regarding Aaliyah. I could care less about your opinions! But that doesn’t mean I won’t address them! Mmmm I want to say so much more but God is so good! Thank you Lord that I’m merely in front of a computer and..
I digress, because of my love and respect for Babygirl, the family, and all her friends. But let me just say this before I go, you don’t know who is reading your posts at any given moment. You don’t know what Aaliyah means to the people reading this thread! And we do not appreciate nor respect your negitive opinions. There is an old saying that remains relevant today, “If you don’t have anything good or worth while to say, don’t say anything at all”. You might want to take adhere to that message throught your life, because you don’t know what’s in the hearts of people. As far as this topic is concerned, you don’t know who is reading these posts, and you don’t know what Aaliyah means to these people. There are people who love her so much so that, if given the opportunity to address your negative comments without a monitor separating, they would address you on a MUCH more personal level! Trust!For some of us when it comes that that one, Aaliyah, you bet your ass it’s that personal and it is “that serious”! And to # 86, it has nothing to do with “worshiping” her you idot!
God didn’t give me the insight to know every mans heart, so I don’t know if there are people who worship her. If there are, God bless their souls because there’s non other than God to be woshiped. Not every person who speaks highly of Aaliyah continuously, worships her. God is magnificant and he made us in his image. However because he gave us free will, some of you have not tried to live up to his image. No human being is perfect. Aaliyah was not perfect. She made mistakes. However, in her 22 years on this earth she made it a point to carry herself in such loving and humble manner that God blessed her with gifts and talents and she chose to share them with this world. Some of us have been blessed to know her, or been given spiritual discrenment to recognize not only her talents, but her beautiful palpable spirit. That’s why we speak so highly of her. There aren’t many people on this earth yet alone artists with her kind of spirit.
Some try to discredit her accomplishments or try to down play her contributions to the entertainment world by saying she was just average. Well her “just average, or just ok music” has been officially credited with changing music forever! Go research that! I’d say thats a pretty major accomplishment to have on your lists of credits! Not many “mega star” artists can say that. The thing about art is, many times artists who make the biggest impacts on their genre, often recieve greater acclaim after they’ve passed away. It has nothing to do with people developing a liking for the artist “because of their death”. It has to do with the revelation of the great significance of the artist that occurs once they have passed. Ever heard of the saying, “you don’t know what you have til it’s gone” ? It’s not a cliche.
Aaliyah was a diamond in the rough. Some of the most precious jewels have the potenial of being overlooked if the persons looking don’t have an eye for quality. Those that truely know good talent didn’t over look her while she was alive. Aaliyah was and still is a relevant force in the music world. It just took others a while to catch up. Many are still catching on. Some never will. How unfortunate for them. Aaliyah was a very young R & B artist. Heck she died @ 22. Sometimes when artists are very young their work doesn’t receive acclaim that slightly older artists get. Especially during her era. She was growing in her artistry. Something that most present day artist lack: growth.
Aaliyah took breaks to grow as a person as well as an artist. So around the time that Destiny’s Child blew around ‘99′, Aaliyah was in the middle of a 5 year break. Unfortunatley when she came off the break and dropped her critically acclaimed self titled Aaliyah album, she passed. But even during the 5 years she was taking to develop other endeavors she still remained relevant by teasing us with smash hits such as: Are You That Somebody and Try Again. In case some of you have like someone put it, convenient music amnesia. Those singles were kind of a BIG deal on the charts and she did those during a break! “Average” HAA! Also during this 5 year break she’d been cast as a first time actress in lead roles in Romeo Must Die as well as cast blockbuster movies such as The Matrix. Something some of your favorite “mega stars” have yet to do and or don’t do well at all! But she did it and did it well!
So say what you want, Aaliyah was an immense talent on earth, wayyy ahead of her time! You turn on the radio and hear One In A Million or Rock The Boat, and it sounds like she dropped those 2 days ago in ‘08′! She was outta here! That’s why it takes people so long to catch up! Aaliyah is an enormous, talented, & beautiful light. She deserves to be and will forever be honored and highly spoken of. What she could’ve been is irrelevant. God’s will is done. For those of us who know and appreciate what she’s already done, we don’t need a time machine. Like someone said, she already “planted the seed” and because of that her harvest is forever!
With Aaliyah In Our Hearts…
138.
Mz_Bell
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
OMG I miss her so much i used to tell myself that if it was the last thing I do that I was gonna meet her and then she died wow my heart was broken because a dream of mine felt taken away but she still lives and I will meet her someday…….I love u Aaliyah im not a your biggest fan I am YOUR ENTIRE FANBASE!!!!!
139.
Mz_Bell
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
@ #50 her career was just beginning, and everyone is saying that they know she would have been extremely big if she was still alive. Dang u are a serious hater if u hate on the dead you stupid……ooh let me calm down
140.
Giselle
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
Aaliyah was beautiful inside and out.
and YES, she is an ICON.
141.
ATL
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
Miss you aaliyah
142.
Nothing But Love
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
@ AALIYAH FOREVER
Well said…. i think most of these people making negatives comments are a bunch of hypocrites because i bet if it where Biggie or Tupac on the front cover they wouldn’t be saying anything. But yet how many records did Biggie sell and how many awards did he win BEFORE he died…. exactly. But when it comes Aaliyah someones always got something negative to say..smh
143.
ILVW
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
You are truly missed AALIYAH
144.
PROVOST...
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
You know what? It IS kinda crazy to think about the fact that she’ really gone sometimes…
145.
BonitaAppleBum
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
I love Aaliyah…she was the best in the biz…MISS YOU BABY!!!!
146.
virgos best
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
Aaliyah was very talented an beautiful an I have 2 agree with those who said that her music was very futuristic……maybe that’s why album sales wasn’t up but who cares thnk about w hits like we need a resolution ……rock the boat…. Or more than woman…..or loose rap if any of the songs from that cf came on the radio people would thnk that songs were just recorded because they were ahead of there time….?n technically AAliyah was the first 2 experiment with timbalands sound that we here 2day ……r.I.p ms. Haughton u will be missed…
147.
I DON'T GET MAD WHEN MY GOOD SHOES ARE STEPPED ON CUZ I CAN AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER PAIR!
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
If Aaliyah was still alive:
Would she have followed the trend of going blond or gettin blond streaks in her hair?
How long would her relationship with Dame have last?
How long would her special relationship with Jigga have last (very interesting)
What label would she have moved to?
Would Timbaland still had her back instead of going to Justin and Nelly F?
Would she have teamed up with other female artists to do a song?
Would her fashion sense had changed?
Would she kept her hair long?
Would she have changed her image to keep up with fellow female artists?
…so many questions and things to think about.
R.I.P.
148.
VAALLDAY
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
She was such a beautiful person. I really miss her, but as many stated you can see her inspiration on a lot of artist out today. The girl was a MEAN dancer.
149.
Aaliyah Forever
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
Yeah I saw a few typos in my post but I was typing so feverishly that I overlooked them. I also wasn’t aware of how long my post was but because of what I feel about Aaliyah, the words just flow effortlessly. Before I blink twice I could easily write a book and I don’t apologize for it.
150.
ATXQueen
Saturday, May 10, 2008 /
@Ms 10 Cents, chump change, or dyme - whatever you want to call yourself:
thanks for recognizing my comment, but how stupid do you look for bringing up other artists as well in this post…and no one was calling Aaliyah “God”, like I SAID: it’s about honoring her life….
so when your life ends, I pray that the people who love your negative azz will do the same….and i say that only because i try not to be so full of HATE like you
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