Admittedly, back in the day, I was one of the biggest Aaliyah fans. You can ask anyone that knew me. I had posters on my wall, owned all of her albums– I was just a huge fan of hers. Partially, because I had an older sister (who was a teenager when I was just a kid) who introduced me to her music back in the ’90′s. I have fond memories of riding around in my sister’s old car with the Age Ain’t Nothin’ But A Number cassette tape.
In any event, I can gather a specific memory from each of Aaliyah’s albums. She was truly one of my favorites. So, I insisted to post some of my favorite tracks from Aaliyah’s albums. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed all of her music. But these are some of the favorites that just had a great impact on me.
Aaliyah – I Can Be (full) – listen
This was the Aaliyah I loved. This song was edgy and dark and as a complete music head, I appreciated the interpolation of the what sounds like Michael Jackson’s “Dirty Diana” towards the end of the song. I felt like this was one of the most underrated tracks on her last studio album, Aaliyah, which dropped back in 2001. The track was written by singer/songwriter Tank and produced by Bud’da.
Aaliyah – Everything’s Gonna Be Alright (full) – listen
This song just made me feel like jamming back in 1996. Although most of this album, Aaliyah worked with Timbaland, this was a track produced by the famed Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins. My favorite part, specifically is at the end of the second verse, where she sings, “You can do this baby/With the L-I-Y-A-H…”
Aaliyah – Young Nation (full) – listen
“Young Nation” just reminds me of trying to kick with my sister and her friends, knowing I wasn’t grown enough to be chilling with them. Although Aaliyah’s first album was my least favorite of the three (I still love it though), it still makes me feel like summertime with jeeps.
Aaliyah feat. Static – Loose Rap (full) – listen
Static and Aaliyah collaborated frequently on 2001′s Aaliyah. He had a hand in penning the bulk of the album, which came to no surprise, considering that he worked very closely with Timbaland. “Loose Rap” was a testament to Aaliyah’s musical styling being ahead of it’s. She cooes, “But we got somethin’ for all the fools/It ain’t just rhythm and blues…”
Aaliyah – 4 Page Letter (full) – listen
This has got to be, actually, one of my favorite songs ever. My love for the music video just amplifies my love for the song. Since I’m a hopeless romantic, I honestly still listen to this song. I was always a fan of Timbaland’s production and his innovative drum kits. I honestly thought that 1996′s One In A Million was ahead of it’s time.
RIP Aaliyah You will always be in our hearts. Just like that day back in 2001, I woke up in theiddle of the night to a newsflash on the radio. This day has another significance in my life so it will never be forgotten. /.\
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“4 PAGE LETTER” AND THE WHOLE “ONE IN A MILLION,” ALBUM/ ERA WILL ALWAYS JUST BE CLASSIC IN MY BOOK – I MEAN THERE WAS SOMETHING JUST SO MAGICALLY ABOUT THE WHOLE AALIYAH-TIM-AND MISSY CLIQUE AND NO ONE MADE MUSIC VIDEOS LIKE AALIYAH – TIL THIS DAY NO ONE DANCES LIKE HER THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A MORE STUNNING BEAUTY AND JUST SO EFFORTLESSLY SO – SHE WILL FOREVER BE MISSED!!!!
I agree!
I love ’4 Page Letter’, ‘At Your Best’, ‘One In A Million’, ‘More Than A Woman’. I still remember listening to ‘More Than A Woman’. She was a great artist.
YES to the track Giving up. I love that song, and was sure no one could sing it better that the actress who played Sister.
RIP Aaliyah
One In A Million was ahead of its time but Aaliyah was ahead of its time as well. Read Between The Lines, I Refuse, It’s Whatever, Loose Rap, U Got Nerve, I Can Be hell the whole album was my fav.
I was one of the biggest Aaliyah fans.:D
I started to appreciate AANBAN tracks pretty late in the game, but I have to agree with Brian that “Young Nation” is a standout. I especially love the end with her “la la la’s”. It sounds so eerie yet beautiful.
I also just recently began to like “What If” from “the Red Album”. When I first heard it in 2001, I wanted nothing to do with it, lol. But I listened to the whole thing recently and realized it goes so hard! Just wish the music wasn’t louder than her voice, but it’s still good nonetheless.
Honestly I don’t have a favorite song by her because I love too many of them!
Boy, I used to KILL “YOUNG NATION” back when the album dropped.
I love 4 page letter.
young nation & loose rap is my shit rip Aaliyah & Static Major
R.I.P. gone too soon, but GOD knows best!
I Care 4 U is my ish still!!
My Favorite Track
1) If Your Girl Only Knew
2) Age Ain’t Nothin But a Number
3) Extra Smooth
4) What If
And of course all of her singles! Aaliyah was one of those artist who goes unsung, but you can definitely tell she was going to be a superstar.
I’m Sick and Tired of LOOSE RAP OMG I literally killed the replay button om My CD Walkman back in 01 when I got the “AALIYAH” album OMG memories.
LOL agreed.
’4 page letter’ is one of my favorites. In addition to the remix of ‘at your best’ and the single version of ‘Hot like fire’.
I thought she was ahead o fher time with the inclusion of old school R&B and Rap with the Isley Bros and Slick Rick on One In a Million and thought it couldn’t get any better until the Aaliyah album dropped…GAME OVER. That album has stood the test of time for me and 10 years later is still a standout. Tim, Missy and Aaliyah (Static and Playa too) all were innovators and we hadn’t seen anything as fly since Teddy Riley ushered in New Jack Swing.
R.I.P. Aaliyah…you’re always on my mind….all of the time!!!!
RIP Aaliyah, a beautiful angel smiling down on us!!!
“One In A Million” will always be my favorite for a few reasons. One being that “One In “A Million” in a historical sense, LITERALLY changed R&B music production. When we first heard it we just new this was something short of historical.
There are so many other Lili songs that I LOVE LOVE. But in reference to the songs Brian chose to share, for me, after OIAM, I’d say “Loose Rap” is my number 2 all time favorite Lili song! I’ve played that song pretty much every single day since 2001! It has such a smooth and tranquil feel to it.. to where it literally calms my spirit when I listen to it. “Loose Rap” is 10 plus years old and it sounds as if it could easily have been released right now as well as post 2011/beyond! When people speak of futuristic sound, “Loose Rap” is the embodiment of concept! along with, pretty much, the entire “Aaliyah” album, OIAM, & a few others. Aaliyah just had innate sense of futurism, that at times, she wasn’t even aware of. This is why so many people feel that she was “ahead of her time”.
I love you Babygirl! /.\