By David Nobel
It was Saturday night August 25th, 2001 around 10:30PM CST and I was undecided as to where I was going to get my party on that night. My decision making process always entails blasting the radio, 92.3 (Chicago) to be exact, to absorb the sounds of DJ Pharris Thomas and Boolumaster creatively spin the hottest joints.
It was then about 10:45 PM (It is funny how you remember a time when you hear bad news) when I briefly heard Pharris say ever so quickly ‘late breaking news about Aaliyah details soon.’ That’s when my eyes popped pondering, “What the hell is he talking about?” Then a break from airplay came exactly at the time when I received my first of about 20 calls within an hour. “My mother just saw on CNN that Aaliyah was killed on a plane crash. Is that true?” my friend Lesa said with concern. Meanwhile a very shaken Pharris announced something that I just COULD NOT fathom-Aaliyah was dead. Needless to say I froze in complete shock not knowing what to say or do. August 25th ended a 7-year fan tenure but began a reality awakening that an angel went home.
Street but Sweet
January 16, 1979 Aaliyah Dana Haughton was born a star to many family members and later, her fans. She was beautiful, charismatic and multitalented. Her plight was to conquer the box office, the charts and all stages of entertainment. At a tender young age of 11 she was a finalist on Star Search and lost but that set the platform for her in the years to come.
1994 was the start of instant fame when Age Ain’t Nothing But Number hit the music scene (My personal favorite of her albums). As R. Kelly’s protégé Aaliyah utilized a street but feminine image sporting very baggy clothes and exuding a youthful sex appeal and hiding behind dark shades giving a mysterious look. Her debut single “Back And Forth” set a party tone while The title track Age Ain’t Nothin’ But A Number, The Isley Brothers remake “At Your Best (You Are Love)”, and “Street Thing” showed an old sprit that was wrapped up in a 15 year old body. Blackground Records, the family owned record label crowned a young princess…no an anointed QUEEN to spearhead the musical empire. With this seed planted a beautiful flower that was ready to bloom.
Hot Like Fire
The long anticipated sophomore album brought a new Aaliyah to the forefront with a more refined look and an new attitude. Yes, she had to deal with adversity at a young age regarding her involvement with her first mentor R. Kelly and the whole business of them actually tying the knot in Rosemont, Illinois (outside Chicago) in 1994. But she was ready for the challenge of a new rhythmic territory and it is called “One In A Million”. When most new artists stick with their current producers Aaliyah defied odds and selected two unknowns Missy Elliot and Timbaland whose talented she trusted immensely. It paid off in a big way with the blazing debut single “If Your Girl Only Knew”. The track was futuristic, innovative and dammit it was just plain ill to the ear. The sultry “One In A Million” followed which brought her to new heights with the creative video and the unusual backdrop with Aaliyah whispery voice just drove many fans crazy. “A Girl Like You”, “4 Page Letter”, “The One I Gave My Heart To, and “Hot like Fire” provided constant rotation on urban radio stations across the country. Another step up the ladder success had been achieved.
Are You Feelin’ Me?
After a two year chart reign from 96′ to early 98′ Aaliyah took a break to avoid overexposure. But like great artist she kept her presence known. She had a street affiliation with that garnered her talents to work with NAS, Slick Rick, Treach, Junior Mafia, Ginuwine, Playa and gain the respect from mega superstars such as Janet Jackson, super songwriter extraordinaire Diane Warren and Whitney Houston. Well, we knew her vocal ability but what we didn’t know was her skills on the dancing tip. That changed with the summer anthem of 1998’s Dr. Doolittle’s “Are You That Somebody”. That video changed on how dance videos for young ingenues was executed. From the cooing baby to smooth as silk vocals and a dope Timbaland beat paved Aaliyah to yet another rise among the ladder of success. It also added an impressive arsenal to her resume versatility. Plus it paved the way for record labels to manufacture clones to show that dancing is the key to a successful recording career. Look what it did for Britney Spears, Christina Aguliera, Mandy Moore and I can go on and on. The video made her a bigger video star and MTV gave her props in the form of constant video airplay. Well, a songstress, dancer and now tackling the big screen was the next hurdle to conquer. In 2000 ala Romeo Must Die a natural talent was truly born. The action flick was a unique move for an artist’s first acting role. Jet Li and Aaliyah created a very real chemistry that other actors cheapen with melodramatics and bad acting. Critical acclaim soon followed from movie experts and her personal soundscape to the movie Romeo Must Die-the soundtrack catapulted the international/crossover smash “Try Again” to the top of the charts. She received her first and only award from MTV for Best Female Video and Best Video From A Motion Picture. The hip-hop duet “Come Back In One Piece” with DMX was another video and radio hit.
Soon offers from various movies came and with it a higher demand for Aaliyah . Another different role for Aaliyah will be seen in 2002 in Anne Rice’s Queen Of The Damned where she portrays an ageless vampire Akasha. She recently had begun work on starring roles in sequels to the Matrix as well as a remake to Sparkle. She completed the last part of her entertainment puzzle acting. There was no stopping her rise to the ladder of success.
More Than A Woman
July 17th, 2001 another obstacle was crossed the third album the self titled Aaliyah arrived after a five year hiatus and growth was achieved in one album . New producers, mature lyrics and a fresh perspective from a now 22-year old woman who has a lot to say about life and all of its experiences. The battle of who is wrong and right was vividly expressed in the lead single “We Need A Resolution” featuring Timbaland. The ever sensual “Rock The Boat”, the independent “Loose Rap” and the touching “I Refuse” among other personal lyric-driven tunes make Aaliyah grab hold to yet another rung of her accomplishments.
Legacy Never Forgotten
It has been about a month since Aaliyah and let’s not forget Aaliyah’s eight personal friends and associates who helped shape her careers perished on the reportedly overloaded Cessna that crashed from the Abaco Island outside of the Bahamas. There has been many other writers and fans that have written their personal statements about how her life was cut too short by an accident that could been prevented. I see that a very spiritual person has grabbed that last rung of the ladder of life and now she is free to ascend to her next life. And like her name which means “exalted and highest one” in Arabic/Muslim she represented her namesake to the fullest. Hopefully, in the afterlife we will see her one day and as much as I miss her existence on her earth I know her current location is in a much better place where she is a bigger star than she would ever be here on earth. One her last interviews on MTV’s Diary she said “When she is long gone she wants to remembered as a hard working entertainer and a good person”. And with that spoken from her months prior to her final resting, she was on top of the world before she crested herself on a cloud in a serene atmosphere with many others who passed away before her. With fulfillment, being happy and living everyday like it is your last is something we should follow because you never know when it is your time. In a weird way, it makes me envy an angel that finally went home to chill waiting for others to arrive and live eternally complete. Rest In Peace Aaliyah. PUB
