Posts Tagged ‘Aaliyah’

Azealia Banks Samples Birthday Girl Aaliyah In New Track “Needsumluv”

Mon Jan 16 2012 by Idolator Staff
Someone notify Merriam-Webster — pop stars have rebelled, four letters is too many, and "love" will now be spelled "l-u-v." At least, that's the consensus we're getting judging from recent songs like Madonna's "Gimme All Your Luvin" and now Azealia Banks' new track "Needsumluv," which not only takes an abbreviated approach to spelling but also does away with the space bar entirely. "Needsumluv" also samples Aaliyah's "One In A Million," possibly in honor of her birthday — which is today! The fallen singer would have been 33 today. Pay tribute to Aaliyah by listening to Azealia Banks' latest below. More »

Drake Has A Tattoo Of Aaliyah’s Face

Tue Dec 27 2011 by Erika Brooks Adickman
Drake and "tattoos" are making headlines once again — only this time it has nothing to do with a crazed Drizzy fan. The "Motto" rapper was snapped on the tennis courts (perhaps brushing up his backhand so he can play a little one-on-one with his rumored love, Serena Williams), and when the sharp dresser took off his shirt he revealed a giant tat of Aaliyah on his back. Below, get a look at the care Drake took to show his devotion to the late R&B star. More »

Whitney Houston Opens Up About Aaliyah’s Would-Be Role In ‘Sparkle’

Mon Nov 14 2011 by Idolator Staff
The upcoming Whitney Houston remake Sparkle, detailing the rise and fall of a group loosely based on the Supremes, may have been upstaged by the Beyonce-starring Dreamgirls several years ago, but apparently Whitney's Sparkle revamp has been in the works since long before the release of the film that won Jennifer Hudson an Oscar. The substance-abusing star recently spoke to Access Hollywood about her original intentions for the movie, which had Aaliyah playing the title role (now filled by Jordin Sparks). Watch the interview below. More »


Happy Birthday, Pink: Raise Your Glass To 1979 (PHOTOS)

Thu Sep 8 2011 by Erika Brooks Adickman

Everything’s coming up Pink today, as September 8 marks the “Raise Your Glass” singer’s 32nd birthday. Not that the “F**kin’ Perfect” pop star needed a reason to celebrate, with all the excitement surrounding her new daughter Willow Sage. Still, we wanted to honor the Grammy winner/activist/all around badass mom anyway. Flip through our gallery of the people and events that were making waves in the news and pop culture in 1979 to get this (birthday) party started, and to wish Alicia the greatest B’day…so far!!! More »


Aaliyah Remembered 10 Years After Her Tragic Death

Thu Aug 25 2011 by Kim Persse
Aaliyah Dana Haughton died ten years ago today in a plane crash off the Bahamas, where she was filming for her "Rock the Boat" music video. A tremendous talent, Aaliyah, whose R&B prowess was behind hits like the irresistible "Back & Forth" and Grammy-nominated Timbaland collaboration, "Try Again." is being remembered with myriad blog tributes and lists, not to mention tweets from friends (Missy Elliott) artists for whom she helped pave the way (Ciara) R&B greats (Mary J. Blige) superstar athletes (Allen Iverson) fans and more. We've compiled a few of our favorite heartfelt sentiments. More »

Missy Elliott And Others Remember Aaliyah

Wed Aug 25 2010 by Erika Brooks Adickman

Aaliyah was just 22-years-old when her plane—manned by an unlicensed pilot, later found to have traces of alcohol and cocaine in his system—crashed in the Bahamas. On this 9th anniversary of her death, the R&B singer is honored by those fortunate enough to work with her, those inspired by her music, and by fans who still cherish her memory. See what friend and collaborator Missy Elliott had to say about the pop star's untimely death and how the "One In A Million" singer's passing is being commemorated.

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Drake Claims He Is “Unforgettable” In Latest Track From ‘Thank Me Later’

Mon May 24 2010 by Becky Bain
Another track from BET Awards and MuchMusic nominee Drake surfaced today, the mournful tune "Unforgettable," which features both Young Jeezy and Aaliyah. (Yes, that Aaliyah.) Does the song live up to its name? Listen below. More »

FRIDAY VIDEO TIME: The Highly Subjective Totally Debatable List Of The Best Songs That Start With The Letter “A”

Fri Apr 2 2010 by Erika Brooks Adickman
Okay, here's how this is going to go. Each week we'll be running down a list of the best songs of the last 50 years — based on each letter of the alphabet. Don't get overwhelmed— we'll have just one track from each decade that stands out among all the others as the best. For obvious reasons, we're kick things off with the letter "A". How did we decide out of the millions of songs over the last 50 years? We read some tea leaves, checked our lunar cycle, scrolled through our iPods, and took an office vote.  Don't agree with us on our answers, that's cool. Just leave your comments below and don't forget we'll be doing the letter "B" next Friday. So if there's a song you think deserves a slot, give us a shout. Click to see the best "A" songs from the last 50 years after the jump. More »

In Memory Of Aaliyah (1979-2001)

Tue Aug 25 2009 by Maura

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 »


Six Songs That Have A Bit Of “Thriller” In Their DNA

Thu Jun 25 2009 by Maura

The late Michael Jackson’s landmark 1982 album Thriller wasn’t a collection of songs as much as it was an event that upended the pop landscape, and birthed much of what would come in its wake. But in addition to thinking about it as a direct influence on today’s pop stars (i.e. the “I heard ‘Billie Jean’ and knew that I wanted to make music my life” narrative proffered by so many artists in the wake of his passing), one can also think about how the songs themselves were sampled by musicians who came in Jackson’s wake, deconstructed so that they became still-recognizable parts of a greater, slightly updated whole. Six of Thriller’s musical descendants after the jump. (Thanks to Idolator emeritus Jess Harvell for helping me with some of the brainstorming here.) More »