Aaliyah In Times Square: New Years 1999

The Aaliyah Archives would like to wish everybody a very Happy New Year and as a tribute to Aaliyah, check out the New Years celebration of Aaliyah in Times Square, New York. I really love her leather outfit in this, always a good winter material to wear to stay warm, yet maintain that fashion appeal! Anyhoo, to all my loyal readers, have a safe time wherever you guys are! And thank you so much for all of your support. It means a lot! I have a lot of big plans for next year, so stay tuned, and stay blessed! Much Love! :o)

Aaliyah: Vibe Magazine, August 2002 'Guardian Angel' By Craig Seymour

The Aaliyah Archives: News

Hey guys! Just a quick shout out to all my loyal readers and Babygirl fans out there. You can now follow all of my posts via email, just insert your email address, which can be found at the bottom, right corner of this page and hit submit. It's as easy as that! For all questions and queries please contact theaaliyaharchives@gmail.com Much Love! :o)

Aaliyah: Jet Magazine July 23rd, 2001

Aaliyah: Live at Christmas in Washington, D.C.

Hey guys! Hope everyone is having a happy holiday where ever you may be. :o) I know it's been awhile since I last posted, so it's only fair I do a Christmas tribute for our beloved Babygirl. Here are a couple of live performances in the very capital of the states Washington,  D.C., where Aaliyah sings The Christmas Song and What Child Is This. Enjoy everyone! :o)

Aaliyah Interview: Black Beat Magazine, 2001

Apologies for the low quality on the first two pages! I shall try to find better high res ones since these articles are so rare and hard to find. To give you an idea of how the full written interview looks, check out Aaliyah's 2001 interview above from Black Beat Magazine. Happy reading! :o)

Aaliyah: Rolling Stones Review By Ernest Hardy, August 2nd, 2001

Aaliyah: Rare Photos

Hey guys! It's been awhile, so here are some rare photos with Aaliyah's sweet autograph, marking the photo for fellow fans. All I can say is whoever has these are most definitely lucky! Enjoy! :o)

The Aaliyah Archives: News

(Rare image uploaded from photographer Eric Johnson via Instagram)

Now as fans we all know that there was speculation going on as to whether or not there was even going to be a movie based on Aaliyah. First we heard about Keisha Chanté taking on the role of Babygirl and than we heard rumors of Solange Knowles allegedly taking on the role too. Now I'm sure all of you guys out there are like, ok what is going on? It's nearly the end of 2013 and still no movie? Well, The Aaliyah Archives has come across an interview from Lamont Pete who fills us in on what's happening. Check out the interview below from Respect The Next.com who interviewed Lamont Pete confirming this with The Vocal Vixen.com. 

Given your hectic work schedule what does a typical day in the life of Lamont Pete look like?

Everyday isn’t typically the same from the day before.  I handle multiple things. If it’s a major event, then there’s planning.  If it’s working with The Clintons on multiple charity events, then I am handling that.  We have TV projects and film projects, so I just look at everything that has to be accomplished.  I really manage all the different tasks differently. 

Blogger The Vocal Vixen sits with Entertainment Guru Lamont Pete for an interview about his history in the industry, the Clinton Campaign as well as the upcoming Aaliyah Biopic Movie.  After rumors circulated about a possible movie about the singer’s life Lamont Pete confirms it with TheVocalVixen.com! Lamont Pete is also working on the Clinton Campaign for the upcoming election, and throws lavish parties for the Hollywood Elite.  Check out the interview below.

With you wearing so many hats, how do you balance work and your personal life?

You have to have a sense of balance in everything that you do-whether you’re an entertainer or doctor or a lawyer. For me, I’ve learned  from Nick Cannon, and others that are high profile and have a lot going on, that you have to take out moments from your life and dedicate it to yourself and to your family. I will have one day out of the week like Sunday that I try to not do anything. I have a great staff too! My general manager use to manage Tyrese, another girl that works for me came out of the William Moris Agency. All of them that are working with me are very expereinced and know how to get the job done. You have to have people working with you, employees or partners, that can go in and keep things going.   

 You came  from a background of education (as a sixth grade teacher).  What caused the change in career?

My journey is a little more detailed than that.  I am a University of Miami graduate, and my family was always highly educational. I got into teaching because I was a musician. I was a music teacher to a 6th grade class! Me teaching an entire 6th grade class started as me substituting 6th grade class while the teacher was sick and teacher never returned! I always knew it wasn’t my thing and I always had a thing for entertainment. I lived in ATL managing producers, and I also worked in Bobby Brown’s camp, and worked around Usher for some time. Once I got out of music and came to L.A., I fell into reality TV. My life is kind of like that movie ‘Catch Me If You Can’ [taking out the police]. That movie is a good indication of how life has been. Do something and become really good at it, and be known for it!

You have been in this industry for 20 plus years.  What is your secret to maintaining longevity in such a competitive field?

Know more than one thing, and be educated. You don’t have to take a course, but education is key. Educate yourself on your market because like anything else, the market is a market of product. Knowing how to sell product is and knowing the appetite of consumers helps. Whatever you do, if you can make money you have a market. You also have to keep your integrity because whatever you say you’re going to do, do it, and do it to the best of your ability. Most people know that I have a good record of delivering, so make sure you do what you say you’re going to do!

Tell us a little bit about your upcoming project: the Aaliyah movie.

I can’t talk much about it because it’s so early. We are working with Blackground Records on this one. We formed a partnership and are currently going through the development stages. The movie will be a story about her and the life Barry Hankerson, being told through his perspective. Barry Hankerson really founded her and developed her, so that’s what the movie will be about.  

Is there a message you hope viewers can take away?  If so, what is the message?

There’s a lot of things that happened that people really don’t know about.  Barry Hankerson really had to be the tough guy because protected her from a lot of craziness going on. You’ll see some of the things that she never had to encounter, and avoided because he was there to protect her. I don’t know how much it’ll be about her music-instead it’s about her life in general; going into cancer, teenage love, all of that! 

What would say to someone who is looking to break into the industry as a producer?

Education is always the first key. If you don’t have your niche, there is something to fall back on. Don’t be afraid to start from the bottom (not getting paid). When i came to L.A., before I got into casting, I worked as a production assistant. Anything they needed I was there. I was a gofer! I was on a 10, and focused so much on being the best PA I could be. They called me back two days after my position was over and put me on salary. Those relationships led to other things, and day in day out my work ethics were relentless.  

You are a key player in the progressive movement of Reality TV from the success.  How does it feel to know that you are the man behind such an explosive genre in television?

I was there when it first started, and it’s interesting to have been apart of something that is a regular thing these days. Reality TV happened because of writer’s strike. I arrived in L.A. during that strike, and they needed shows, so it was my job to find people for shows. When I first started seeing my name on credits, it was so cool! Now it is hard for me to relax. Although I’ve accomplished that milestone, I am now looking for something else. You’re only as good as the last thing that you did. There wasn’t one show my name wasn’t on. I’ve moved on to other things now, and I am pushing forward! 

What role will you play in the Hillary Clinton Presidential Campaign?

This is still entertainment related, but it is a 6 city tour called “Behind the Curtain” which will feature Blaire Underwood, Bill clinton, and Forrest Whitaker.  The purpose of the tour would be to raise money for children charities. I am really excited about this! They have brought me in as a Talent Producer, and we have a big show coming up in Richmond which will feature Ne-Yo, and I am trying to secure Christina Aguilera and Alicia Keys. The whole purpose is to raise money for the kids. That’s what this is about! 

What could we expect from you next?

Technology is where it’s at. I’ve been working with the city of Los Angeles to come up with a way to turn the city buses from normal buses into buses with WiFi devices. That’s really my pet project!

Aaliyah: Written Interview By Suzan Colon (1996)

Aaliyah Tribute: Right On! Magazine, 2001

Aaliyah Tribute: Sister 2 Sister Magazine, November 2001, By Jamie Foster Brown (Part 2)

Aaliyah Tribute: Sister 2 Sister Magazine, November 2001, By Jamie Foster Brown (Part 1)

Aaliyah: Femme Fatales Magazine, April 2000

Aaliyah: Unreleased Song Titles From 'Down Under'

Now, some of you may have already come across this like myself, but for those who have not, here is the official track list of songs which Aaliyah recorded whilst working on her self titled 'red album' in Australia. In 2010, Tim Barnett decided to share this with everyone, which I am truly grateful for so thank you so much for that! You've made a lot of Playa/Static Major/Aaliyah fans very happy! :o)  

Now some of you may be wondering hmm...where are all the other joints from the red album like We Need A Resolution? Most of the other tracks which were produced by Timbaland, were done after the trip to Australia. From what I have already shared with you, we can confirm that all of the tracks on the CD are most definitely Aaliyah songs, some of which we have yet to find and discover. I shall no doubt be on the hunt and look out for these when they do arise, so watch out! :o) 

There is however one particular song from the bunch titled 'CEO' which Static Major wrote, and Bud'da produced on. On this occasion, Bud'da kindly shared with everyone, insight into this particular track.

Bud’da: “Aaliyah was super close to [finishing] the song. We cut the hook and Static finished a couple of other things on there and then we ran out of time, and then she just never got back around to cutting it. I think that was a big song though. It was a girl empowerment song. It was pretty cocky honestly, but the way it was done was great.”

Even though we do not know what this joint sounds like, we do have the actual lyrics which gives us a little taste as to what exactly Aaliyah was trying to aim for. Knowing that this song is a female empowerment song, shows us that she was definitely way ahead of her time, and ready to change the game. Songs like Destiny's Child's – Survivor & Independent Woman and Kelis's – Bossy immediately come to my mind. All I can say is that thanks to Aaliyah, who has helped paved the way for many female artists out there to this very day. Anyhoo, peep the lyrics below and imagine Aaliyah singing these verses and chorus's. I can honestly say, that the lyrics alone are just fire! I can only imagine how this sounds! Enjoy my lovely's! :o)

(Source – You Know I Got Soul)

CEO Lyrics

Verse 1

Being in love is hard (it’s like a job)
That’s why I make it a point to step to, each issue we go through (it’s always something new)
I gotta keep up my guard (being in charge)
Can’t let no one give me heart breaks
It’s one thing when you explain (minds do change)

Pre-hook

Who you fussing with?
I’m the only boss that can boss around here
I’m the CEO, Stay on your job, Or you can be replaced
Don’t you order me, Cuz I’m calling the shots that go on around here
You can’t tell me no, I send you home
Thought I’d let you know that

Chorus

I’ll be running the show, I’m CEO, I’m in control, that’s how it rolls
If you didn’t know the scenario, I run the show
I’ll be running the show, I’m CEO, I’m in control, that’s how it rolls
If you didn’t know the scenario, I run the show

Verse 2

I’ve got to wear the pants in a true romance,
That’s the only way we’ll ever stand a chance
So I ain’t taking orders from a man, You got to understand
See I can work with you, long as you are true
Change out the blue and I’ll start taking interviews
Let me give you a list of my demands, never raise your hand

Pre-hook

Who you fussing with?
I’m the only boss that can boss around here
I’m the CEO, Stay on your job, Or you can be replaced
Don’t you order me, Cuz I’m calling the shots that go on around here
You can’t tell me no, I send you home
Thought I’d let you know that

Chorus

I’ll be running the show, I’m CEO, I’m in control, that’s how it rolls
If you didn’t know the scenario, I run the show
I’ll be running the show, I’m CEO, I’m in control, that’s how it rolls
If you didn’t know the scenario, I run the show
I’ll be running the show, I’m CEO, I’m in control, that’s how it rolls
If you didn’t know the scenario, I run the show
I’ll be running the show, I’m CEO, I’m in control, that’s how it rolls
If you didn’t know the scenario, I run the show

Bridge

I’m gonna keep handling my business baby
Cuz I’m a real lady
And I hope you take care of your business baby
I wanna be your lady

Aaliyah: Word Up! Magazine, 1994

 

Aaliyah: New Teen Sensations, Ebony Magazine, February, 1995