When considering Aaliyah's track record, it is befitting
that her name (Aah-Lee-Yah) means "the highest, most
exalted on, the best." Indeed, Aaliyah's name foreshadowed
her short but phenomenal career as both a recording artist
and actress. By age 21, Aaliyah was not only a cultural
icon but also a musical innovator and major motion picture
actress.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Aaliyah was raised in Detroit.
In 1994, at the age of 14, Aaliyah released her first album,
Age Ain't Nothing But A Number. It was an instant success.
The first single, "Back and Forth". Was a Top
5 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and a No.1 R&B song.
The follow-up single, a remake of the Isley Brother's "At
Your Best (You Are Love)' reached Top 10 on the Billboard
Hot 1000 and was No.2 at R&B radio.
In 1996, Aaliyah released her multi-platiinum second album,
One In A Million. The first single, "If Your Girl Only
Knew", went double platinum and contained Timbaland's
signature syncopated beats and Missy "Misdemeanor"
Elliot's lyrics. Hermain Dupri, Rodney Jerkins, J. Dibbs,
Daryl Simmons, Kay-Gee, Vincent "V.H." Herbert
and Craig King were also involved with producing One In
A Million.
In 1998, Aaliyah scored an enormous hit with "Are
You That Somebody" from the Dr. Dolittle soundtrack.
Produced by Timbaland and written by Static, the song is
infectious, known for its clever sampling of a baby crying.
Later that year, Aaliyah performed the song "Journey
to the Past" from the motion picture Anastasia at the
Academy Awards.
Aaliyah made her motion picture debut in Romeo Must Die
in 2000. Co-starring Jet Li, the film was a box office success
and led to Aaliyah's huge hit record, "Try Again"
which was produced by Timbaland. The Romeo Must Die soundtrack
spent weeks at No.1 on the Billboard soundtrack chart and
went double platinum. Aaliyah's performance in Romeo Must
Die earned her nominations for MTV's 2001 Movie Awards for
"Bet Female Performance" and "Breakthrough
Performance Female". "Try Again" garnered
two MTV Music Awards for both "Best Female Video"
and "Best Video in a Film". Aaliyah served as
executive producer of the soundtrack and had two other cuts
on the record including one with DMX.
Following up on her box office success in Romeo Must Die,
Aaliyah starred alongside Stuart Townsend, Vincent Perez
and Lena Olin in the 2001 film
The Queen of the Damned, directed by Michael Rymer. Aaliyah
played the title role of Akasha, in the supernatural adventure
based on the third novel in Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles.
Aaliyah's last studio album reflected her growth as a person
and entertainer. The album, Aaliyah, released in July 2001,
debuted at number 2 on the US charts and sold over 2.4 million
albums worldwide. Aaliyah featured the smash singles "We
Need a Resolution", "More Than a Woman" and
"Rock The Boat".
In February 2002, Independiente Records will release the
posthumous album I Care 4 U, a definitive collection of
Aaliyah greatest hits as well as six unreleased tracks including
the aptly titled single "Miss You". I Care 4 U
showcased Aaliyah's pioneering sound, sultry voice and trend-setting
style and is a continuation of Aaliyah's musical legacy
and a chronicle of her life in music.
www.aaliyahicare4u.co.uk
