From her sultry vocals, covered left eye, and hip-hop-inspired fashions, Aaliyah embodied her Arabic-based birth name. "The exalted one," she was nothing short of a standout star in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Known affectionately as "Baby Girl" and the "Princess of R&B," she helped redefine contemporary R&B, pop, and hip-hop thanks to three Platinum-selling albums and an equally successful acting career. Although a tragic plane accident cut both her career and life short, Aaliyah's impact on pop culture remains relevant twenty-five years after her death. In remembrance of her legacy, below are the top picks of the late singer's best works.
Who is the L-I-Y-A-H? This was a question asked by the then-15-year-old Aaliyah on her debut single "Back and Forth," from her debut album Age Ain't Nothing but A Number. Released on May 24, 1994, the album was a commercial success thanks to its teen-oriented themes and romantic ballads fused with new jack swing.
By 1996, Aaliyah had departed from the good-girl image of her debut album to explore more mature themes, such as commitment, abstinence, and heartbreak. Produced by future hip-hop heavyweights Timbaland and Missy Elliott, One In A Million avoided the sophomore jinx thanks to unveiling an edgier image, heavy promotion and six singles: "One In A Million," "If Your Girl Only Knew," "Got To Give It Up," 4 Page Letter," "The One I Gave My Heart To," and "Hot Like Fire." Retrospectively, the album has been hailed as a classic and one of the best ever made. In 2021, One In A Million re-entered the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum.
Singing was only one of Aaliyah's talents; she was also an actress. This was highlighted in Tim Footman's 2003 book Aaliyah. In 2000, she starred alongside martial arts veteran Jet Li in the crime caper Romeo Must Die. Although she avoided reading critics' reviews, her performance as Trish O'Day received a positive reception. She contributed to the film's soundtrack with two hit singles: "Back In One Piece" alongside the late DMX, and "Try Again," which became her only number one single on the Billboard Hot 100.
On July 7, 2001, Aaliyah released her third and final self-titled album. Considered her magnum opus, Aaliyah stated that the project reflected her as a young adult and a recording artist. Critically and commercially successful, the album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200. Her death on August 25, 2001, led to an increase in sales, resulting in Aaliyah's only chart-topping album.
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of Aaliyah's death, Baby Girl hit bookshelves. A blend of biography and introspection, Kathy Iandoli's book ensures readers remember Aaliyah as a shining star among many.
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