Words By Jada G.

Aaliyah

“Came to spread my love to my fans across the world. Reach out to you, touch the hearts of boys and girls…”

If we think back far enough, we all have one artist we wanted to be like. An artist who’s presence transcends just the music & enters our lives. Maybe you rocked the MJ glove, contemplated tatting “Thug Life” across your chest like Tupac, or maybe Jimi Hendrix inspired you to pick up a guitar. Perhaps you even held up the Roc diamond every now and then when no one was watching. At the shy age of twelve, Aaliyah became one of my inspirations and an influence.

In Arabic, Aaliyah can be defined as the highest or most exalted one. In a career cut short by tragedy, Aaliyah Haughton’s music & lasting memory still hold true to that. Had she lived, she would have celebrated her twenty-ninth birthday today. Although her voice has been silenced, her influence is deeply tied to the worlds of hip-hop & R&B where she remains a timeless presence.

Aaliyah caught my attention with “At Your Best,” as she delivered a classic Isley Brothers’ song with youthful innocence. Her 90′s style was all about mystery: baggy jeans and athletic tops exposed only her midriff, a large “A” medallion adorned her neck and her long dark hair swooped over her left eye. She created an image she coined “street but sweet.” As she matured, she shed the dark shades, replaced Tommy Hilfiger jeans with Cavalli gowns, and a beautiful woman emerged before us.

Along with Timbaland, she revolutionized the role of the young hip hop female artist on One In A Million. Her soft voice weaving in and out of hard cutting beats became her trademark. Her bright presence, sincerity, and striking beauty solidified her crown as hip hop’s shining star. We witnessed her blossoming maturity in 2001 with the release of her third album, Aaliyah. The project reunited her dream team—Timbaland and Static—and produced tracks that still hold weight seven years later.

“More Than A Woman” is an example of her consistent “Lili” style, her voice slinking in and out of another Timbaland bass-thumping beat: “Do you wanna ride with me?/We can be like Bonnie and Clyde/ me by your side.” She playfully encourages her lover to please on “Rock the Boat,” as the island melody urges a sexy sway. The rock-infused track “What If” leaves us wondering whether the Static track was just a precursor to her sound’s newest direction.

Since her departure in 2001, we’ve seen Aaliyah’s influence throughout the music industry. In Beyonce’s polite, yet firm refusal to speak about her relationship with Jay-Z. Ciara’s “Evolution,” in her sexy dance moves and blend of tomboy baggy jeans with glam girl chic. And she’s forever etched in Timbaland’s music. It’s quite easy to imagine her voice, instead of Keri Hilson’s, on “The Way I Are.”

I recently met a fifteen year old girl, and asked her about the artists she listened to most. She named Aaliyah as her favorite. She listens to “More Than A Woman” when she needs encouragement: “Her vibe, you can tell by the way she carries herself that she’s a beautiful and classy woman. When I hear that song, I feel strong and I feel good about myself.” Although only nine years old when Aaliyah passed, she was touched by the female songstress’ presence. Aaliyah once said: “Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Others leave footprints on our heart and we are never the same.”

Aaliyah left her lasting footprints and many of us are better simply because she lived.

Jay-z – I Miss You (Remix)

Missy Elliot Featuring TLC – Can You Hear Me

Boyz II Men – The Aaliyah Song

Usher – It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye: BET Tribute (Video)