Baby Girl: Aaliyah's Legacy
Today 15 years ago, the R&B lovers' world, both young and old, was shaken and shattered; R&B's angel Aaliyah had tragically become one.
Though the sudden loss of such a beautiful spirit was heartbreaking for all who adored her (which was most), it is without doubt, Aaliyah still lives on today.
Since her debut album Age Ain't Nothing But A Number dropped in 1994, Aaliyah paved her own way in the industry and left a mark like no other. Her silky smooth voice, "jazz personality, G mentality", and her signature style secured her spot in the game early. To this day, if you hear "Ooh, it's the L-I-Y-A-H", you know it's going to be a good time. Not only did this album prove that Aaliyah had her own groove to offer R&B, but her angelic cover of the Isley Brother's classic "At Your Best (You Are Love)" solidified it. And it was no surprise that her next album One In A Million was a certified classic. Timbaland's one-of-a-kind beats + Missy Elliot's untouchable pen combined with Baby Girl's voice was a guaranteed formula for success: and it proved to be just that. This momentum carried over into her third and last album, Aaliyah. This album was laced with an arrangement of futuristic production we had never heard before. Static Major (may he also rest in peace) and Timbaland had completely outdone themselves; the geniuses were definitely ahead of their time.
This last album was when I, as a mid-90s baby, was really able to indulge into the Aaliyah admiration that the generation above me loved and adored. It didn't take me very long to understand the fandom at all. I remember being a very young 5 years old when my mom was playing the Dr. Doolittle soundtrack in the car. Naturally, I insisted that she play ANYTHING that I wanted to hear (at that time, it was the Pocahontas soundtrack), and naturally, she ignored my request. It was in that ride that I heard "Are You That Somebody" for the first time, and I always wanted to hear it from that point forward. This was where my love for Aaliyah began. This love carried on through watching her music videos and requesting that my mom play "the baby song" (this was what I referred to "Are You That Somebody" as) or that she let me stay in her room just to watch the video(s) whenever they came on. Even at 6 when I read that Aaliyah gained her wings, my heart broken like every other fan.
In her 7 years on the hip-hop and R&B scene, Baby Girl was without a doubt a trendsetter. Her dark shades paired with a bomb dark lip, bandanas, crop-tops with the baggy bottoms and the hottest Tommy Hilfiger on the market was a style that only she could trademark. This influence can be seen in a plethora of female artists dating from the early 2000s to now. Her style and how her legacy still lives strong is evident in artists like Justine Skye, Rihanna, Ciara, and KeKe Palmer (who last Halloween did a GREAT video cover of the "Try Again" video). Even in 2016, you can definitely catch me in a crop top and baggy jeans or a classic TH garment.
On top of her classic tomboy-chic fashion, her musical influence still reigns strong. Her music is still in the Serato of several DJs today and the drop of any song of hers will still get any party moving back and forth. Even more evident than her trend impacts is how she inspires in music still. We all know of Drake's slight (not so slight) obsession. Aaliyah can still be heard through singers like Sevyn Streeter (who has a beautiful cover to "Come Over"), Chris Brown's "Don't Think They Know" that samples one her underground hits, and the smooth windows down summer drive homage on Kendrick's "Blow My High"just to name a few.
My recent favorite that holds a heavy Baby Girl influence is fellow Chicago native, Tink. I was late to the party in hearing about her just last year but she gained a fan on the first listen; and of course, I always have to give Chicago a special type of ear. My first listen of hers was in the car on an early summer day and I read an article saying that she was sampling "One In A Million". I was quite weary when initially hearing this as a through because I truly felt that some songs shouldn't be touched; this was one of them. But once I read that Timbaland himself produced it for Tink, I was automatically shifted to give it an unbiased listen. Needless to say, "Million" was a hit on first listen.
Though it has been 15 years since the earthly loss of Aaliyah, I decided to spend today basking in all that she left. Her classic sound is one that true R&B lovers will keep in the crates with all the favorites. Her style is one that transcends any weekend or seasonal trend. And her album poster will always be a part of my home decor and my screensaver. But more than anything, her demeanor and her spirit left a mark on hearts that lives as long as they do which shines brighter than the tragedy.
Keep resting in peace Baby Girl.