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At this time would’ve been Aaliyah’s forty sixth birthday, and he or she’s nonetheless probably the most influential artists in music, despite the fact that she handed away in 2001. Aaliyah was greater than only a singer—she was a trendsetter. She blended R&B, hip-hop, and pop in a method no one had executed earlier than, and her easy vocals and chill vibe made her a legend. Albums like One in a Million and Aaliyah have been forward of their time and nonetheless encourage artists immediately.
Although she’s gone, Aaliyah’s impression remains to be felt in every single place. Artists like Beyoncé, Rihanna, and The Weeknd have all talked about how she influenced their music. Rappers have additionally proven like to Aaliyah by sampling her songs. Jay-Z used her observe “Rock the Boat” in his music “Blueprint 2,” and Drake all the time offers Aaliyah props, whether or not it’s via lyrics or utilizing her music in his personal tracks like “Sufficient Mentioned.” Missy Elliott, who was near Aaliyah, additionally retains her reminiscence alive in her music.
After Aaliyah handed, Ashanti stepped up and have become the subsequent massive factor in R&B. Her debut album, Ashanti (2002), had that very same easy vibe Aaliyah was recognized for, mixing R&B with hip-hop. Ashanti’s vocals and catchy songs reminded everybody of Aaliyah’s fashion, and he or she was topped the “Princess of Hip-Hop Soul” as the subsequent queen of the sound. Tracks like “Silly” and “Glad” confirmed she may do all of it—easy ballads and street-smart hits. Ashanti took the torch from Aaliyah and saved that complete vibe alive, making her the brand new face of that sound.
Aaliyah’s legacy is powerful, and her fashion and sound are nonetheless shaping the music we hear immediately. She will not be right here, however she’ll all the time be remembered as a real icon. Let’s go down the record of a few of the greatest rappers which have sampled Aaliyah and did justice to it.
HBD to the Queen: Rappers Who’ve Sampled Aaliyah
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