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Why was Aaliyah important?

Updated: 8/30/2023
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14y ago

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Aaliyah was / is important because she was one of the first female singers to actually introduce what some call "Hip - Hop & B." When she first came out in 1994, she was a protege'e of music crooner R Kelly and with his help as a mentor she went into the studio and introduced her first album to the world (Age Ain't Nothing But A Number).

She was instantly accepted by music critics and heavy hitters in the game alike and critics praised Aaliyah for having a sweet, sultry voice and mature lyrics (considering the fact she was only 15 at the time of her debut album's release and the majority of her album, if not all was written by R Kelly himself).

Her style was dubbed "street but sweet" and you can see a lot of her style; The baggy clothes, with a hint of femininity in female artists today such as: Ciara, Cassie and even Rihanna.

Her music was always 2 steps ahead of what other female artists, or singers in generals were for that era. When she split ways with R Kelly in 1995 after allegations of a secret marriage between the two, she hooked up with Timbaland and Missy Elliot who were then unknown.

She's actually the one who helped them (Missy and Timbaland) become as famous as they did, because they hadn't even been heard of at the time of Aaliyah's switch back into the studios for her 2nd album (One In A Million).

After she released her One In A Million album, Timbaland and Missy's career took off and she introduced an urban / neo-soul sound that was not common in the industry.

If it wasn't for her sound and style of singing and image, a lot of female artists; Cassie, Ciara, Rihanna, Keri Hilson.. they wouldn't be at the stand points they are now.

Aaliyah sold 32 million albums world wide and that number according to Vibe magazine in 2009 is still growing.

At just 15 her 1st studio album was certified Gold by the RIAA and she released 3 smash hits: Back and Forth, At Your Best (You Are Love) which was originally sang and recorded by The Isley Brothers in the '70s and Age Ain't Nothing But A Number which the single itself went Platinum.

To sum it all up.. She is responsible for the fame and success that Missy Elliot and Timbaland have been accustomed to since the 90's.

She is responsible for starting the "Feminine / tomboy" image that you can see more or less in Ciara's videos.

She helped Tommy Hilfiger launch his already popular clothing line by becoming a model for him.

She helped 1998's Dr Dolittle movie soundtrack go gold with just her hit "Are You That Somebody" which turned into a smash hit for her benefit and was heavily played on radio stations from 1998 - 1999.

She ran in Revlon's Marathon for women with breast cancer from 1997 up until her death in 2001.

She was the first female to be able to sing in soprano over a heavy hip hop oriented beat via "Hot Like Fire, One In A Million, If Your Girl Only Knew, etc"

Since her death her Myspace fan page is STILL Number 1 in the country.

On December 18, 2009 XXL and Vibe magazine stated that all 3 of Aaliyah's albums (Age Ain't 1994, One In A Million 1997, Aaliyah, 2001) have past Ciara's "Fantasy Ride" and Beyonce's then released B-Day album by 1.2 million units purchased.

On January 21, 2010 Vibe posted on their blog site that most of her songs from her career are the most downloaded for a female singer who is deceased.

She is still played on radio stations today, even bypassing Ciara, Beyonce and Rihanna with radio plays for her songs "Are You That Somebody, One In A Million, Try Again, We Need A Resolution"

Missy Elliot dedicated her award to Aaliyah at the 2010 BET Awards.

Justin Timberlake dedicated his entire "Future Sex / Love" tour to Aaliyah showing clips of her from interviews, home movies and pictures of her when she was younger during half of his performances.

Jay-Z dedicated one of his live performances to Aaliyah, 2pac, BIG and Jam Master Jay who passed in 2002.

Mya dedicated her song "After The Rain" to Aaliyah and Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes from famed TLC group who passed away 8 months to the date of Aaliyah in 2002.

Brandy praised Aaliyah at a 1990's or 2000 Soul Train Music Awards event

Rihanna praised Aaliyah on her rendition of BET Top 25 Countdown and played the music video for Aaliyah's "Are You That Somebody" on the show.

Ciara praised Aaliyah on numerous occasions and played "Are you That Somebody" on her BET Top 25 Countdown

Ne-Yo also praised Aaliyah and showed the "Are you That Somebody" video

Keyshia Cole praised Aaliyah and played her "Back In One Piece, Try Again and The One I Gave My Heart To" video collection on her Top 25 BET Countdown special

Jadakiss made reference to Aaliyah in his song Why?.. "Why Aaliyah have to take that flight?"

Bizzy Bone from Bone Thugs N Harmony said Aaliyah's name towards the end of his song Muddy Waters.

Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes praised Aaliyah on numerous accounts before her own untimely death on April 25, 2002.

Static Major (from R&B group Playa) made an entire song dedicated to Aaliyah whom he dated from 1998-1999 entitled "Aaliyah, Aaliyah"

Boyz II Men also made a song dedicated to Aaliyah's memory entitled "Think of Aaliyah"

Her brother Rashad did a rendition of her song One In A Million and added his own verses in and entitled it "One In A Billion"

Lil Wayne used the first verse of Aaliyah's song I Don't Wanna in a song featuring Pleasure P called "Rock Bottom"

Static Major also wrote a song for Aaliyah before his death in 2007 entitled "For A Long Time"

Missy Elliot, Tweet and Ginuwine made a tribute song and video for Aaliyah entitled "Take Away"

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14y ago
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13y ago

Aaliyah was a Singer, dancer, actress, model. she had 3 studio album, she had two compilation album selling over 61 million records to date establishing a networth of over $50 million.

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13y ago

She died in an aircraft accident. Crash occured in the Bahamas.

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12y ago

Aaliyah was killed in an accidental plane crash.

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12y ago

how did Aaliyah become famous

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