There has been much controversy surrounding Aaliyah recently, and the thought of a post-humous album not including her frequent collaborators and friends, Missy Elliott & Timbaland.
Timbaland & Missy Elliott have voiced disbelief that the LP is actually happening, as they have yet to be contacted about it, but word is Drake and his go-to producer Noah '40' Shebib are working on it. Now, Barry Hankerson, who is Aaliyah's uncle and BlackGround Records CEO, has clarified what's happening with the post-humous album.
While speaking to That Grape Juice (via), he explains a post-humous album is indeed happening, and he sheds some light on why he's taking it in a different direction by working with Drake & 40.
On working with Drake & 40, Barry says, "Drake and Noah did an exceptional job with "Enough Said". The intent was too be creative with one song at first and see how the fans would react. We look forward to them hearing the rest of the album next year."
He also explained what material of Aaliyah's they are utilizing. "We’re working with 16 never before heard songs that were part of an album she was recording before she died. Fans will hear the same angelic tone they loved so much in these new songs."
On the bad press, and rumors of Aaliyah's family not approving of the LP, Barry explains, "We always expected an unpleasant welcome this album. Due to the fact we have control over the estate and authoritative over royalties we will be moving forward with this album. We never wanted the bad press that’s come with the album. The family might of made statements about us not supporting their “daughter” but the fan support and peaceful intent behind it is the reason we’ve decided to go forth with it."
Barry also touches on the reason DMX, Missy Elliott & Timbaland are not included in the post-humous release, citing wanting to go in a different direction as the reason, "We’d like to go in a different direction with the 16 tracks and have been more than open to work with past collaborators. So, Damon Dash – her ex fiance- is more than willing to assist Drake and Noah in producing the album."
As for the sixteen unreleased tracks they're using, Barry says they were part of an album Aaliyah was working on before she passed away. "The 16 unreleased tracks you’ll hear on this album were a part of an album she was working on at the time. We’ve always wanted her to be number 1 and to continue to release material following the success of her final album," he says.
