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To put it simply, I love Aaliyah. To me she was the definition of progressive R&B cool. She was the girl who could roll with the boys and sag her Tommy jeans with the hardest of 'em but still be as sweet and alluring as the coolest downtown breeze. She didn't have the biggest voice...or the biggest breasts, she didn't write or produce and for some she shied away from the limelight a little too much. But what she did have (a "street but sweet" soprano, aslick and seductive dance style, beauty for days and an ever present air of dark mystery), she worked.
I think it was that dark air of mystery and affinity for atypical sounds/styles that hooked me about her. I remember in her last article for Vibe magazine she explained that, at times, she favored seclusion and mystery, like a vampire. As she put it, "I have black out shades in my apartment. I push a button, it's totally dark. I think I'm a bit of a vampire in real life, and there are times when I just want to be by myself. I wanna be alone."
That strange need for escape and reflection is probably what fueled her need to defy the typical sound of R&B and create genre bending music for her last 2 albums, One In A Million and her greatest work, Aaliyah (Both classics in their own right). She and her creative team (Timbaland, Missy Elliott, Bud'da, Static, Keybeats and many more) revolutionized the sound of R&B and pushed it into a futuristic, hip-hop, electronica sound that still resonates throughout today's era of music (Just look at artists like Ciara, Brandy, The Dream, Keri Hilson, etc.)
Aaliyah was a pioneer who's understated influence continually inspires me. She's one of my faves and I miss the possibility of hearing what her music could have become. But I LOVE the funky electric baby girl blues that she left behind...Rest in Peace, Baby Girl.
I've told you my story but to see some of Aaliyah's close friends tell you their stories of their time with Aaliyah check out this FREE download of FADER magazine's tribute issue to Aaliyah
I loved your post. As a diehard Aaliyah fan it was well worth the read.
ReplyDeleteAaliyah always reminded me of an Egyptian queen. There was certain aloof regality about her. I loved that she was so mysterious because it left you wanting to see more of her. She wasn't an artist who always stayed in your face. Aaliyah had mastered the art of "less being best." And when she put out new music it was ALWAYS hot.
I loved every single thing about her.
Aaliyah was perfect. I still miss her.
Thank you sincerely and I love the Egyptian Queen comment. LoL. If she wasn't already a "mysterious" person than I think she learned after the R. Kelly incident to stay out of the limelight and focus more on her craft. I think that helped set her apart from other artists in the same way that Maxwell and Sade were able to do.
ReplyDeleteNice post - Aaliyah Haughton ..Keep Posting
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THANK YOU hungeryjack. I appreciate it. I just edited the post with the quote from Vibe Magazine. Check it out.
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