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 & Static Major: The Demos

Track List:

1. Nothin' But A 'B' Party, Ya'll (feat. Magoo, Timbaland & Playa)
2. Never No More (Aaliyah Demo)
3. You Saved My Life (Kieran Demo)
4. We Need A Resolution (Aaliyah Demo)
5. Read Between The Lines (Aaliyah Demo)
6. Come As You Are (Brandy Demo)
7. Fire Lovin' (Pleasure P Demo)
8. Ghetto (feat. Southernaire All-Stars)
9. More Than a Woman (Aaliyah Demo) (First Version)

Now, I was meant to do a dedication a good few weeks ago for Static Major, since it would of been his birthday on 11th November, but juggling work, family and friends is a tricky business, so my next few posts will be in dedication to the man who was behinds Aaliyah's music style and lyrical content. A lot, of Aaliyah and Static Major/Playa fans will already know about this mixtape above, but for those who have been trying to look for this, or have simply come across this now, you have come to the right place. Any one who would like to get a hold of this please contact me via theaaliyaharchives@gmail.com

Personally, I always find it quite intriguing listening to demo versions, as these are the versions where you are testing out exactly how you want the final cut version to sound vocally. Above, you can find listed a majority of the tracks that Static Major sang over on Aaliyah's tracks, among other artists such as Pleasure P and Brandy.

Drake ft. Young Jeezy: Unforgettable

Released: June 15th 2010

Recorded: 2009 – 2010

Label: Young Money/Cash Money/Universal Motown

Hey guys! Apologies for the late post, hope all of you are doing well! :o) Now, when it comes to Drake, no introductions are needed for the man behind bringing back Aaliyah's memory and legacy in the music industry. Here's one of Drake's very first compilations, using Babygirls voice from her track At Your Best (You Are Love) which was originally a song from The Isley Brothers, dedicated to their mother (check below to listen). The track itself titled Unforgettable certainly has a lot of meaning in terms of its clever lyrical content. Drizzy puts a lot of emphasis on how great songs are being re-made, never losing its touch from fans and the fellow public.

This in toll shows us that they are 'unforgettable' memories, which can most certainly be said of Aaliyah, since even today, when I listen to her music, her sound STILL sounds fresh and relevant within the music industry of today. If you listen carefully, Drake shows props to a few on the track for example Nat King Cole who's greatest hit was titled Unforgettable, and was also later covered by his daughter Natalie Cole. Other references besides Babygirl are Brian McKnight where Drake spits the verse Do I ever cross your mind? and TLC's Chilli.

On a deeper level, Drake expresses how he too, would like for his songs to have the same impact, just like how Babygirl's music has impacted us, where by other artists/musicians can freely do their own interpreted versions/samples. Interestingly enough, I just so happened to come across another version using the same riff from unforgettable by a rapper named Logic. He has a lot of great mixtapes out, so if you're one for discovering new music then check him out! If you peep the video below you can listen to his version titled I Just Wanna which for me hits very close to my heart, since I've been through a lot this year. Lyrically, it's very deep and on a level where you can truly relate. And just to show how talented he really is, I'm going to add another track for you guys to enjoy, since I love his flow! Enjoy guys! :o)

Aaliyah: Danc'n ft. E.T. Selfish (Unreleased Track)

Released: 2010

Recorded: Unknown

Label: Blackground Records

Happy Saturday everyone! :o) To make your saturday even more special, here's another unreleased track by Babygirl called Danc'n featuring E.T. Selfish, and production by Digital Black from Playa. Now here's something which makes you wanna just jam all over the dance floor! I gotta say that when I first heard this, it was love at first listen. The hook that Aaliyah sings is so catchy that by the time you have listened to it, you'll keep hitting that replay button! Now that's not all I've got for you folks. To really understand about the whole process of the track, here's a little interview from Digital Black and E.T. Selfish themselves who talk about Danc'n in more depth which you can find below. Enjoy guys! :o)

Digital Black: “That’s the hook I wrote. That was a group signed to Keybeats and again, this is how Aaliyah was. If she messed with you, she messed with you. She didn’t really mess with anybody else out of the circle, so if you were part of the circle, she didn’t only want to see herself blow up. She was trying to do as much as she could for everyone in the camp. That’s how “I Don’t Think They Know” came about.”

E.T. Selfish: “When the family got back from Australia, everybody set up shop in LA to mix the Aaliyah album. We were in the studio one day (Digital Black, KeyBeats & Selfish). Black & E. Seats pulled up the track and told us to go to work on it. The song already had Aaliyah’s vocals on it from when Digital Black wrote the song in Australia. So of course when KeyBeats & Black offered it to us, we wanted to kill it. We wanted everybody to hear it and relate. We wanted to make you feel like you were in the club, on the dance floor, getting it in till they turn on the lights.”