Aaliyah has been credited for helping redefine R&B, pop and hip hop in the 1990s, "leaving an indelible imprint on the music industry as a whole."According to Billboard Aaliyah revolutionized R&B with her sultry mix of pop, soul and hip hop.In a 2001 review of her eponymous album Rolling Stone magazine professed that Aaliyah's impact on R&B and pop has been enormous. Steve Huey of AllMusic wrote Aaliyah ranks among the "elite" artists of the R&B genre, as she "played a major role in popularizing the stuttering, futuristic production style that consumed hip-hop and urban soul in the late 1990s."
Music critic Simon Reynolds cited "Are You That Somebody?" as "the most radical pop single" of 1998. Kelefah Sanneh of The New York Times wrote that rather than being the song's focal point, Aaliyah "knew how to disappear into the music, how to match her voice to the bass line", and consequently "helped change the way popular music sounds; the twitchy, beat-driven songs of Destiny's Child owe a clear debt to 'Are You That Somebody'." Sanneh asserted that by the time of her death in 2001, Aaliyah "had recorded some of the most innovative and influential pop songs of the last five years.
Aaliyah has been referred to as a pop icon and a R&B icon for her impact and contributions to those respective genres. Japanese pop singer Hikaru Utada has said several times that "It was when I heard Aaliyah's Age Ain't Nothing but a Number that I got hooked on R&B"
Aaliyah's music has influenced numerous artists including Adele, Ciara, Beyoncé, Monica,Chris Brown, Rihanna, Azealia Banks, Sevyn Streeter, Keyshia Cole, J. Cole, Kelly Rowland, Zendaya,[ Rita Ora, Arctic Monkeys, Speedy Ortiz,Chelsea Wolfe,Haim, Angel Haze, Kiesza, Naya Rivera,Cassie, Hayley Williams, Jessie Ware Yeasayer, Bebe Rexha and Omarion.
R&B singer and friend Brandy said about the late singer "She came out before Monica and I did, she was our inspiration. At the time, record companies did not believe in kid acts and it was just inspiring to see someone that was winning and winning being themselves. When I met her I embraced her, I was so happy to meet her." Q journalist Eve Barlow credited the album for "creating a blueprint that can be heard across pop music today" with acts such as R&B singers Beyoncé and The Weeknd, and indie pop band The xx.
Legends spoke highly of her and wanted to work with her.
Janet wrote Aaliyah a letter 14 YEARS AFTER HER DEATH REMEMBERING HER
she also wanted to collaborate with Aaliyah and expressed how much she liked her while janet other daughters (mya, tinashe, ciara) can't even get acknowledgement form her.
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Jackson reciprocated Aaliyah's affections, commenting "I've loved her from the beginning because she always comes out and does something different, musically." Jackson also stated she would have enjoyed collaborating with Aaliyah
Whitney HANDPICKED her, herself for her movie sparkle and when Aaliyah had passed Whitney was crushed and refused to pick up the movie till the 2011. Aaliyah had SANG for whitney and she was impressed
Diana warren on Aaliyah
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Warren spoke highly of Aaliyah's vocal performance, stating that "She could go where the Whitneys went. She wailed on that single I wrote for her. I write songs that challenge singers, and she rose to the occasion
Other stars speaking on Aaliyah
Drake
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Drake says that Aaliyah had the biggest influence and "most impact" on the music he creates, especially his decision to start singing.
and before Anybody brings up sales/ grammys. Aretha Is the most legendary female of all time and she has been outsold by main pop girls. Bob Marley & tupac don't have grammys and their deemed legends
For the audience and genre she represented, she is a cultural icon, one of the biggest of her time. If her music and style continues to resonate with the new generation and the generation after that, I can see her being regarded as a legend in the next few decades.
and before Anybody brings up sales/ grammys. Aretha Is the most legendary female of all time and she has been outsold by main pop girls. Bob Marley & tupac don't have grammys and their deemed legends
That's all fine and dandy but she still isn't one.
That's all fine and dandy but she still isn't one.
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Adam Levine, the lead vocalist of the pop rock group Maroon 5, remembers that listening to "Are You That Somebody?" convinced him to pursue a more soulful sound than that of his then-band Kara's Flowers
Yes regardless of what Ignorant ATRL members say she is and much of it had to do with her death at a young age. Its funny how she isnt considered a legend but singers like Janice Joplin and Jim Morrison are considered legends.
