Tomorrow marks 10 years since the release of Aaliyah's last album, AALIYAH. The album was released a month prior to the singer's death and is her most successful album of the 3 she released. Most of the album was completed by late 1999/early 2000 and was recorded while she filmed her last film 'Queen of the Damned'. The album was worked on for months in America, Europe and Australia.
The album spawned 4 US singles. Aaliyah only lives to see the release of 2, which were 'We Need A Resolution' and 'Rock The Boat'. The first singles was announced to be 'Loose Rap' but was later changed to 'We Need A Resolution' for unknown reasons.
ACHIEVEMENTS
- Highest sales increase in history, with an 800% increase the week of her death
- The longest stay on the Billboard 200 in history with 188 weeks (Later broken by Taylor Swift with 189 Weeks)
- Winner of 8 awards, including an American Music Awards for 'Best R&B/Soul Album Of The Year' in 2002.
FACTS
- 'I Care 4 U' was originally recorded in 1996 but wasn't complete in time to make her album 'One In A Million'.
- Missy and Timbaland weren't aloud to work on the album due to the heads of her label only allowing their artist to work on the project.
- Aaliyah never promoted the first single but performed 'More Than A Woman' on Jay Leno
And they should have released "Loose Rap" as the first single. As much as I loved "We Need A Resolution," "Loose Rap" had more appeal to it, and it was the overall better song.
Here is how I would have done the singles:
"Loose Rap"
"More Than a Woman"
"Rock The Boat"
"I Care 4 U"
"We Need a Resolution"
"Messed Up" (overseas single)
And they should have released "Loose Rap" as the first single. As much as I loved "We Need A Resolution," "Loose Rap" had more appeal to it, and it was the overall better song.
Here is how I would have done the singles:
"Loose Rap"
"More Than a Woman"
"Rock The Boat"
"I Care 4 U"
"We Need a Resolution"
"Messed Up" (overseas single)
Great crafted urban-pop album.
Loose Rap actually has a structure, something We Need a Resolution lacks.
Still the best contemporary R&B Album of the century. Only 4 comes close.
Vocally, Aaliyah was never a powerhouse, but this song proves that she was an effective singer. The emotion and connection to the lyrics are among the best I have ever from a contemporary R&B artist.