R & B singer Aaliyah passed away eight years ago today in a plane crash at the age of 22, and I don’t think it’s much of a stretch to say that if she were still around today, the world of pop music would be a measurably different place. On her best songs—the baby-coo-sampling “Are U That Somebody,” the slinky “We Need A Resolution”—Aaliyah had a deceptively subtle presence, with her voice often barely-there, yet working with and against the music surrounding it to create often-stunning results. It’s hard not to wonder what might have been if she were still around today, especially when you give another listen to some of the tracks collected after the jump, which still sound like a barely there breath of fresh air. MORE »
POSTS FROM "Departures" CATEGORY
Departures
In Memory Of Aaliyah (1979-2001)
upcoming releases
The big announcement that Big Boi hinted at regarding the release of his solo album Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty has finally been made, and it is this: He’s leaving Jive and signing with Island Def Jam. “The lawyers just have to finish their lawyering,” Big Boi told the Canadian paper EYE WEEKLY, which alas could not get news of a release date (or even a release-date approximation) out of the MC. [EYE WEEKLY] MORE »
Departures
Panic At The Disco Loses Half Its Members, Fans React In The Way You Might Expect
Oh no! Half of the Las Vegas rock band Panic at the Disco–guitarist Ryan Ross and bassist Jon Walker–has decided to split from the group, saying in a statement on the band’s official site that they’ve “creatively evolved in different directions which has compromised what each of us want to personally achieve.” The band is supposed to embark on tour with blink-182 at select dates beginning next month, and those dates–and the band’s third album–are still apparently a go, although who will fill the guitar and bass roles is currently up in the air. The full statement after the jump. MORE »
Departures
Casey Kasem To Reach For The Stars For The Last Time Next Week
Casey Kasem hasn’t hosted American Top 40 since the overemployed Ryan Seacrest took the reins in 2004, but he still had a hand in the American Top franchise thanks to his hosting of American Top 20 and American Top 10, which counted down songs topping the liter side of pop radio. Kasem’s tenure of bringing America its biggest hits will come to a close for good on July 4–the 39th anniversary of the very first American Top 40 broadcast–when his final episode of AT20 is scheduled to air. (He’ll still be a presence on the radio, though; reruns of AT40 shows from the ’70s and ’80s will continue to be syndicated around the country.) MORE »
Departures
Lloyd Will No Longer Be Growing Up With Irv Gotti
Falsetto-heavy R & B singer Lloyd is parting ways with Irv Gotti’s The Inc, saying that the partnership has “run its course” and that he wants to take more control over his career. (Although the fact that he said that he hoped Gotti would “understand his position” while discussing the breakup with AllHipHop.com makes me wonder if he’s filed his resignation letter just yet.) In conjunction with this liberation, “Night & Day,” a Jim Jonsin-produced track that I suppose is supposed to represent his artistic growth, has leaked; it’s a slinky slow burner that seems more suited to the later hours than those when the sun is out. [YouTube / AllHipHop] MORE »
