Hip-Hop historians accredit Aaliyah's debut album, Age Ain't Nothing But A
Number, for paving the way for Brandy, Monica, and the plethora of other teen
stars who go by one name. Aaliyah Dani Haughton (legal name) was born January
16,1979 in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York.
Aaliyah's break is credited to her Uncle Barry Hankerson, CEO and owner of her
management company, Blackground Enterprises. Barry Hankerson was/is Aaliyah's
manager as well as her ex-mentor's manager R. Kelly. It was Barry who introduced
the two and shortly after their acquaintance, production on Age Ain't Nothing But
A Number ensued.
Aaliyah acquired the world's attention at the tender age of
15 when her first single "Back and Forth" landed #1 on the Hot 100 singles
chart; dethroning her then svengali, R.Kelly and his track "Your Body's Callin".
Shortly afterwards, her album was released under Jive records and another top
five gold single was spawned. Not only was this single a remake of an Isley
Brothers classic, but it also flexed Aaliyah's octave range and vocal
versatility. Her rendition of "At Your Best (You Are Love)" ripped the airwaves
and its listeners with its tumultuous and sensuous harmonies.
A few other hit singles followed including the light hip-pop jam "Down With The
Clique" and the adulterated title track. The provocative nature of the album's
title and lyrics, as well as the mystery of her true age sparked a media frenzy
about an alleged union between Aaliyah and her then mentor. This frenzy
blossomed into a barrage of media rumors threatening to thwart a prosperous career.
Till this day no one is certain if there was ever a union between the two parties,
but those two parties involved. However, Aaliyah denies ever being married to R.
Kelly and R. Kelly refuses to comment. In addition, Aaliyah states that the reason she kept
her age on the low was because she wanted the world to accept her for her music
and not based solely on her age. Despite the rumors, critics gushed and Entertainment
Weekly had this to say (6/17/94) ...Imagine
En Vogue packed into one teenage body and backed by hip-hop svengali R. Kelly,
and you have Aaliyah...a promising start... The setting, 1996 and
Aaliyah was gearing up for the release of her new album tentatively titled One In A
Million. One In A Million proved that Aaliyah would make her mark on the
ever-changing music industry by emphasizing the strength and maturity in her
voice. Along with this maturity, Aaliyah carried the once underground hit-makers
Missy/Timbaland to new heights. This sound they would concoct on One In A
Million, would take the music industry by storm. Hit after heart-pounding hit
would follow, ultimately making her 1st sophomore single, the sexy, seductive, and taunt,
"If Your girl Only Knew" the #1 spot on the hot 100 singles chart and the other singles radio
heavy as well.
Before the close of '97, One In A Million (a #1 radio play single also)
would go double platinum+ with the success of 4 Page Letter, Hot
Like Fire, & The One I Gave My Heart To; shaking away any worries of a sophomore slump.
With so much potential and tenacity shown by the 8x's platinum sales
(totaling all singles, albums, and contributions to soundtracks in U.S.)[i.e "Try Again",
"I Don't Wanna", and "Are You That Somebody"] the
singer, dancer, actress, and ENTERTAINER, that we've grown to love
is just beginning to live up to the true meaning of her name;
"The Most
Exalted One"