Now who remembers this classic joint? Here's another guest appearance/cameo of Aaliyah in the video We At It Again, which also features the likes of Static Major. The track features on the album soundtrack of Romeo Must Die, which is one of those albums where you know you aint even gotta skip a track. I know this, since everytime I watch Romeo Must Die, I always end up listening to the music in the background thinking 'damn what's the name of that track? This sounds hot!' lol!
I can honestly say though, that these two had such a special bond musically wise, it's a shame they both had to leave us so soon. As far as the video is concerned, it's definitely got that dirty south feel, where you just wanna get down low and crunk the hell out. Soon as you hear that bass, you know straight away that shit is gonna go down! Lol! But as always, our Babygirl is looking gorgeous as ever with a hint of seduction in that lollipop scene. Funny that, isn't it ironic how Static Major's Lollipop with Lil Wayne was a hit and in this video we are seeing both of them in a candy store. Hmm...amazing how things turn out right? Anyhoo, please enjoy this dope, classic joint below! One Love <3
First and foremost I would like to wish everyone a Happy Easter! :o) I hope you are all in good spirits. Now I know I have not been posting much, but for those who are wondering I am well and alive! ;) I have a lot of drafts that I have yet to post, so lets get down to business shall we? lol Now awhile ago, I posted a lot of cameo appearances where our beloved Babygirl happened to feature in, so I would like to continue posting the rest of her cameo appearances so that we have a complete archive.
Now here's a classic joint which takes me wayyy back! Here We Come featuring the likes of Timbaland,Magoo, Missy and backing vocals from R&B group Playa, was the lead single from Timbaland'ssolo debut album – 'Tim's Bio: Life From Da Bassment'. The music video itself was premiered in mid October 1998, on music channel MTV2 (that channel definitely takes me back!). Now, although the song charted and was released via radio airplay in November 1998, it did not gain any 'physical release' in the US until March 2nd 1999 and October 5th 1999 for Germany (shows how much patience people had back then!).
Personally, as I do with any video/track from the Timbo Fam, since Ginuwine also features as a guest cameo, these guys were so ahead of their time it's unreal. The whole idea of transforming a music video into a moving graphic novel was just original for it's time. If we look back at other music videos during the early 2000's, we have also encountered this with other artists too, such as Mariah Carey and Eminem. If you listen to the track carefully, you can hear the songs concept and interpolation based on the early Spider-Man comic series, showing that playful, childish superhero/heroin side in us all. And as always, our beloved Babygirl is looking extra fly with the highlights in her hair! Love it! :D Anyhoo, peep the videos below to compare and contrast the musicality! The bottom video can only be viewed via youtube, so click on the link and it should direct you. Enjoy everyone! :o)
(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.comwho 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 theHillary 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!
And here we have Timbaland & Magoo's Luv 2 Luv Ya (Remix). I have to say, I love Aaliyah in this video! The black leather outfit is just fire! And her dance moves? Could she of gotten any better? Even though her appearances were short in the video, Babygirl was killing it with the time she had. If you look more closely, you even get the chance to see other artists such as Static Major and Ginuwine, who also feature as a cameo in the video. As we all know, the Timbaland crew at the time were very tight, which shows as they were very much like family, which is expressed in the very last image above. Another throw back 90's joint to add to the mix! Enjoy! :o)
Here is a track which some of you may not have heard before. Steady Ground which features the likes of Playa's – Static Major and producer J-Dub is one of the left over tracks which was originally going to be put on Aaliyah's third studio album, self titled AALIYAH. Below I have a mini interview where J-Dub himself talks about the making of this track and why it never made the cut on the album. Now again, I was going to share the audio content via youtube, but youtube likes to be annoying by deleting the audio content, so luckily I have the audio content myself which I will share with you via my Tumblr blog. :o) I remember when I first came across this track, I was like wow, how have I not heard this before. I always make it part of my duty to know everything and anything about Babygirl, so if I come across something new I have to share it! :o) Production wise, I like the use of beats as it's not something you hear everyday. Very innovative both musically and lyrically. Anyways, please listen and enjoy this lovely track! :o)
Listen here for Aaliyah ft. Static Major – Steady Ground
J-Dub:“It was really the first single after “Rock The Boat”, but my engineer was mixing the record and somehow lost the vocals. So the vocals that you hear are really just the demo vocals. The final vocals got erased, so yeah. So that’s why it didn’t make the album.”
Hello my fellow Babygirl fans out there! :o) Now here's an unreleased track that not many people have heard. I originally was going to upload it as a video like I normally do to share the audio content, but for legal reasons Blackground Records decided to banish the track on youtube, so for anyone who is searching for this track on youtube and suddenly come across a blank audio, that is why. If you would like me to send you this track personally, please email me at theaaliyaharchives@gmail.com.
The track itself came out randomly this year, and obviously a lot of buzz was going around it. Anyone who is a fan knows that this is like new music for our hearts and souls, so to hear our beloved Babygirl on something unheard of is very refreshing :o) Now, from what I know, the song is a remix mash up of Aaliyah's other unreleased songs titled Don't Be Jealous and He Keeps Me Shakin' which you can pick up on when you listen to the lyrics where Aaliyah sings – 'Quit Hatin' on him, don't be jealous'.
As for samples, you all know me, I have a good ear when it comes to picking up on certain lyrics and musical content, and to my surprise I realised that there is a certain part from Quit Hatin' which has been used on A$AP Rocky's – F**kin' Problems ft. Drake, 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar. Notedly Aaliyah's 'ohhhh' chanting which is played throughout the whole of F**kin' Problems. The only difference? The pitch shift to disguise the fact that it's been used. Y'all can't fool me! lol! Ok now because I am so nice, I am going to share the audio content of Quit Hatin' via my own personal tumblr page, so feel free to follow! :o) But anyhoo, I hope you enjoy this track as much as I did since it sounds so fresh. Enjoy guys! :o)
Here's the B-side from Aaliyah's 4 Page Letter single titled Death Of A Playa, which features her very own brother Rashad Haughton. The song itself was produced by Timbaland and written by both Aaliyah and Rashad. Later on it was also included on the US version of Babygirl's Double A-Side single release of The One I Gave My Heart To and Hot Like Fire. Now personally, when I first came across this track I was going through a very dark period of my life, so when I listened to it, I felt a connection with it straight away, as the mood of it is so dark and mysterious, it just takes you to a whole other dimension. Essentially, kind of mirroring Aaliyah's personality, as she was always quite the 'mysterious' character. Also, both Rashad and Aaliyah's vocals blend so nicely on this track, you can really tell that they put a lot of thought and time into making this.
The song talks about how you get with a guy who originally started off as a bad boy 'playa', thinking he could get any woman he wanted to, until he comes across that one special lady in his life who changed it all, causing the 'death' of the playa within him. She made him realise the worth and value of a woman by the power of her undenying love for him, thus changing his whole outlook and perspective on relationships as a whole. Now personally, I have never encountered this, but I'm sure some of you guys out there may have. If anything, I love the fact at how Babygirl always touched upon topics that were rarely ever talked about, and on this occasion here is one of them. Anyways, please check out the video below to listen and enjoy! :o)
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.”
Hey guys! Sorry I have been MIA on my blog due to work. But don't worry, I haven't forgotten about you! :o) Here's a rare unreleased track that some may not be aware of. The track is called Time and ironically Aaliyah didn't have enough 'time' to complete the whole of this song, so if you check out the first video below, that is the original where Babygirl is singing the hook –
"It ain't enough hours in a day, to do it all
It ain't enough days in a week, to do it all It ain't enough weeks in a month, to do it all It ain't enough months in the year to do it all..."
All I can say is aint that the truth! Lol! At the moment I have to say this is how I have been feeling this week, since there really isn't enough hours during the day. It's like when we were younger time would just drag on so slowly, but as we get older the hours, days, weeks, months and years seem to just pass us by like the speed of light. Now when I first heard this, I always wondered how the completed version would of sounded if Babygirl had enough time to complete the track. Since I loved this song so much, I was trying to get a hold of someone who was very good at editing and mixing music, until I came across a video I found on youtube by a guy named Simon Ruddy (you can check him out via Youtube). Now this guy answered my prayers as he actually sang over the blank parts and made the song sound complete. Fitting into the theme of the song, I gotta give huge props to this guy for doing a great job, so well done! Now unfortunately, I did upload this awhile ago, but the video has been deleted, so if you would like to listen to the full completed version please email me at theaaliyaharchives@gmail.com :o)
Another rare gem for you guys! Now personally, I don't really know much about this track since it is so rare, but it came out around 2007. As for the recording and label I am not 100% sure, so if anyone knows just give me a shout and I will credit you on your research! :o) Now, what I do know is that the track was meant to be featured on underground rapper Yaushameen Michael's album, but was never released for unknown reasons. Quite recently a new version of Girlfriends has been mixed which sounds more modern, but personally I find that whoever mixed it did a terrible job! For starters Aaliyah's vocals do not fit well with the beat at all! In all honesty people shouldn't fix something that isn't broken, hence why I am sharing the original version of the song, which is more suited to Babygirl's style.
I remember when I first heard this song, immediately I was like damnn, is that Babygirl rapping? Then I realised oh, it's some next chick lol! What's interesting about this track is how fresh it sounds both lyrically and musically. The rapping could do with more improving in terms of making the diction more clearer, since this is very important, but other than that I really love this joint. At one point, Yaushameen actually sounds like Missy Elliot near the end of the song, talk about crazy right? As for the whole theme of the song, again it's a topic that not many have touched on. It talks about how although men be throwing dirt, making call to girls etc... basically, the act of a 'playa', it also talks about how women also do the same. As the saying goes, "One man/woman goes, and another man/woman comes". Check out the video below for this dark, mysterious track! Enjoy! :o)
Tim Barnett:“That song was never a joint that was for the album. Yaushameen was a Southernaire artist and that song was always something meant for Yaushameen. She was a huge fan of Aaliyah so Static was like ‘I’m going to get Aaliyah on one of your records,’ so Static wrote it.”
Where Could He Be is a rare unreleased track which leaked around February 2005, and features the likes of Missy Elliot and Tweet as backing vocals. The song was originally meant to be included on Aaliyah's final studio album, but never made it to the cut. During 2005, the song got a lot of air play on the radio, and was expected to serve as a single for her second posthumous album titled The Aaliyah Duets Album. However, Blackground was not having any of this and stated that the track was illegally leaked, thus resulting all radio stations to remove the song. Quite a shame really, because the song was so popular on radio stations that it almost managed to chart on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart.
Now as for samples you all know me, I had to go to the very root of of this one. If you listen to the chorus, you'll notice that it actually samples Lisa Stanfields – All Around The World (classic 90's joint) which you can find down below to compare. Anyhoo, please check out the videos below and enjoy guys! :o)
Here's a not so familiar track which is on Aaliyah's Got To Give It Up Single. At the time, it was released as a second single in the UK. No Days Go By is featured as a B-Side and was one of Aaliyah's self-compositions. I have to admit that I really love this slow jam joint. Lyrically, it talks about a person who misses the happy times they spent with that one special person, before it all went downhill. Although it's a sad song, the message is positive because as Babygirl says – 'I'm gonna be ok'. Production wise, you really have to love that 90's vibe. Anyways, please enjoy the video and lyrics below! Feel free to leave comments! :o)
Chorus: No days go by, that I'm not thinking of you, And no way can I, forget the things you do. No days go by, that I'm not thinking of you, And no way can I, forget the things you do. (No)
Verse 1: You're on my mind, all day and night, You're all I'm thinking of..the way you treat me right. My days with you (With you) are here no more, We had some good days but I know this for sure.
Chorus: No days go by, that I'm not thinking of you, And no way can I, forget the things you do. No days go by, that I'm not thinking of you, And no way can I, forget the things you do.
Verse 2: We got a special thang, I never could explain, Straight up the way I feel it doesn't seem real. (You know) I never hurt you [ Find more Lyrics on http://mp3lyrics.org/j4A ] (So don't go) don't go nowhere. Cos you know that this heart, I'll always share.
Chorus: No days go by, that I'm not thinking of you, And no way can I, forget the things you do. No days go by, that I'm not thinking of you, And no way can I, forget the things you do.
Bridge: You said your love was true But I don't see that now You left me all alone Broke up this happy home. Why'd ya have to lie? Why must it be this way? Well all I have to say, Is I'm gonna be ok.
Chorus x1
My love, goes on and on and on My love, on and on and on My love, goes on and on and on My love, on and on
My love, on and on and on My love, on and on and on My love, on and on and on My love, on and on
Released: 2000 Recorded: 1999 – 2000 Label: Blackground Records
Here's a very RARE, unreleased track that Aaliyah did with R&B group Outsiderz 4 Life. Ain't Never was off the groups self titled album which was released around 2000. The group at the time were signed under Blackground Records, which obviously at the time Aaliyah was also under. Babygirl was so impressed by these guys, that she requested to do this collaboration with them. For those who are not aware of this track, it did come out a few years ago. I will post up and share some album download links for you guys soon, so don't worry! :o) The guys also did another song called Not Enough which is pretty catchy. They have an actual video shot for this, which I am also going to share. If you listen to it carefully, there is a particular part in that song where I'm sure it sounds like Aaliyah, what do you guys think? Anyhoo, check out the video below to listen to this rare gem! Enjoy everyone! :o)
Now here's a throwback for all of you Babygirl fans out there! Here is the the debut single from Timbo and Magoo's Welcome To Our World. The track also features Missy Elliot and a guest appearance from Ginuwine who was very close with all of the Timbo crew as a whole. Charts wise, the song reached to number one on the Hot Rap Singles (no surprise there!)
I don't know about you, but to me this shows what true talent was all about. No one is flaunting their body all out there for attention, and the rapping shows true skill and imagination, something which a lot of new artists lack these days. Take notes folks! And as always, Aaliyah's mesmerising voice just sends shivers down your spine with her alluring, angelic appeal. The Timbo crew was definitely a force not to be reckoned with, since they were at the peak of their game during the 90's. Both production wise and lyrically I cannot fault this track since it delivers 100%. Anyways, you know the drill, check out the video below and enjoy some real good music! :o)
Label: Blackground/Believe Music & Recall (UK)/Snapper (Netherlands)/Avex Trax (Japan)
Here is the second compilation album which includes two CD's and one DVD which features a range of interviews, promo clips, special features and documentaries. You can check out a one of these down below. The first CD showcases all of Aaliyah's greatest hits, but leaves out a majority of her other hits like Age Ain't Nothing But A Number and Journey To The Past. Which is quite surprising because you would think an album titled Ultimate Aaliyah would show all of her work from beginning to end. However I do like the extra tracks on the second CD showing some of Aaliyah's lesser known featured artist tracks such as Man Undercover and John Blaze.
Here is one of the documentaries you will find on the DVD. I originally had the videos saved on Youtube, but someone decided to delete them (typical hey!). So I have given you the links to each part from my very own research. Please sit back and enjoy this very detailed documentary on Babgirl's musical journey. It was quite tough watching some of these interviews within my research without feeling emotional, so just a heads up for you guys out there and keep that tissue box beside you.
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