Aaliyah Dana Haughton passed away on August 25, 2001, and her legacy still lives on a decade and a half later. She has influenced countless artists, from Drake to Rihanna, with her fantastic body of work. Championed by the likes of Timbaland and Missy Elliott, she had a couple of R&B chart-topping singles before scoring her first #1 album with Aaliyah, released just a month before her tragic death.
As one of the most influential R&B artists of the '90s, Aaliyah released three albums between 1994 and 2001. A couple of posthumous compilations came in the years following her passing, but they didn't fill the void left by what could've been. How many classic records was the world robbed of -- when Aaliyah was taken in the prime of her career? Regardless of the music we didn't get, one should never take for granted the incredible body of work she did leave upon the earth. To celebrate her life and legacy, we're throwin' this one back for Aaliyah.
"Back & Forth"
Before she got with Timbaland, Aaliyah was making music with R. Kelly, who produced her debut LP, 1994's Age Ain't Nothing but a Number. The two had chemistry in and out of the studio, and they were even illegally (due to Aaliyah's age) married for a short time. Though their relationship remains controversial, their music is undeniable.
"At Your Best (You Are Love)"
The second single from Age Ain't Nothin' but a Number was a cover of The Isley Brothers' 1976 hit "At Your Best (You Are Love)." Aaliyah made the classic song her own while keeping the spirit of the original, and it was enough to land her cover at No. 6 on Billboard's Hot 100. Over a year ago, on what would've been Aaliyah's 36th birthday, Frank Ocean released a cover of his own.
"If Your Girl Only Knew"
Written by Missy Elliott and Timbaland, "If Your Girl Only Knew" was the first big track that solidified the soon-to-be iconic trio, and it helped build buzz around all three individual talents. The single set the tone for Aaliyah's sophomore album, 1996's One in a Million, which would be almost entirely produced by Timbo.
"One in a Million"
This is still one of the sexiest tracks ever recorded. "One in a Million," which hit No. 1 on the hip-hop/R&B chart, has garnered acclaim from virtually everybody who's ever heard it and has certainly contributed to a significant increase in population across the Western world.
"Are You That Somebody"
This one comes courtesy of the "Dr. Doolittle" soundtrack, released along with the film in 1998. The turn-of-the-millennium sound is strong in this one, with Timbaland's wacky beat playing the perfect backdrop for Aaliyah's sultry vocals.
"The One I Gave My Heart To"
Many of Aaliyah's biggest tunes boast powerful R&B vocals with hip-hop production, but this 1996 ballad falls completely on the soulful side of things. Without any real hip-hop sensibility, our subject gets deep on "The One I Gave My Heart To."
"Try Again"
For the soundtrack to "Romeo Must Die," in which Aaliyah played a starring role next to Jet Li, Timbaland and Baby Girl cooked up a special one. The beat relies on rich synth tones, and Aaliyah's vocals make "Try Again" a timeless banger. The song eventually became Aaliyah's first and only No. 1 hit.
"We Need a Resolution"
On her self-titled LP, Aaliyah's sound reached its highest potential yet. It shed the trending '90s R&B/hip-hop hybrid for something rich and unique. Tracks like "We Need a Resolution" are early examples of the alt-R&B wave that is huge today.
"Rock the Boat"
It was on the flight home from shooting this video in the Bahamas that Aaliyah's plane crashed. The song and video are both absolutely gorgeous, but, unfortunately, they will always bring to mind the shocking events that took away one of music's brightest young stars.
"I Miss You"
We miss you more. And beautiful tracks like this. RIP Aaliyah.
