Remembering Aaliyah, 1979-2001: Missy Elliott talks to EW about her friend and collaborator

Interesting how timing affects how we view or don’t view someone’s passing. On a slower news cycle 10 years ago, Aaliyah’s life and death would have dominated the news for weeks and weeks, much like Heath Ledger’s did when he passed (each had some scandal attached to them to fuel the fire: Aaliyah’s relationship with R. Kelly would have fueled the tabloid fire like Michael Jackson’s scandalous past or Heath Ledger’s drug caused death).

It just happened that 2 weeks after she died thousands of people not as famous as her died in NYC, DC and PA and Aaliyah’s death became yesterday’s news.

Aaliyah was by far very talented, but Many people 4get about her 1st album….”Age aint Nuthin but a Number”….she had some Bad cuts on their which she happen 2 co-write with R.kelly and he also produced that album…..may she 4ever R.I.P

I love “We Need a Resolution”. So good!

Beautiful voice. “Rock the Boat” is my fav.

10,000 years of civilization produced a lot of fine art – classical, blues, jazz, r&b, rock, new wave, Mozart, Gershwin, Stones, Sade, MJ & Janet – all fine artists…and then we come to this “peak” – the “Exhalted One – Aaliyah – who blended so much old school, new school, kewl school so effortlessly and with such flair. Missy was pouring musical spells into a magic vase that vibrated with a quality never seen before. True MJ had classics that are eternal, and Janet could tear it up, but Aaliyah could do so much at such a young age, we all speculate she would rocket past the stars and was just getting momentum as her wings were clipped. The tributes to her – DMX, JZ and Missy’s were all keepers too. Picking one? Impossible for me…you hear the next one and say “That’s it.” Funny, I didn’t even know who she was for 9 years “after” and as I stumbled on her I said “Wow! Who is this…is she touring here anytime soooon – oh no – oooooooh no.” as I read the bio. Tore me up. I couldn’t even listen to her for a month after that, then built a site for her wings, stacked with her music and that of her peers who loved her, dedicated to her spirit and art, which to me is timeless, has yet to be surpassed for its wide spectrum of generations she touched, played, sang and delivered like no other before or since. Yes, there are many great artists today – and back then. Hard to beat a Mariah whistle voice, or a Sade heart ripper (Aaliyah’s favorite artist), but if you listen carefully, you’ll find it all rolled into Aaliyah’s songs – perfectly packaged and delivered like an ancient magic spell that puts you into a trance. Ok – favorite…hmmm….I liked her when she played tough, so “If your girl only knew” was a good hoody tune, and 4 page letter is a classic, John Blaze was sooooooooo insightful, humorous and artistic – laugh as you might – and Rock the Boat just dripped Aaliyah’s sensuality, her rendition of Give It Up is still awesome – lights my day when I hear it – and I still go blank when I hear Miss You…even think about it…ouch…I care for you just melts you like warm chocolate in the palm of her hand…and I can be inspired me to “revive” her – she can be – should be – still here and is here now … to me. May she be with you always as well.