Aaliyah: Age Ain't Nothing But A Number (Promo)

🔁 via @harrisrosenbtmt “Original Aaliyah promotional photo #aaliyah #blackground #babygirl #gonebutnotforgotten #detroit #rnbmusic #tryagain #ageaintnothingbutanumber #aaliyahhaughton #peacearchives #behindthemusictales #peacemagazine” | So beautiful! 😍❤ Thank you for sharing! 🙏💚 

R.Kelly: Your Body's Callin' (His & Hers Extended Remix)

Released: March 1994

Recorded: 1993

Label: Jive

Now here's a slow jam which babies were most certainly made from. Your body's Callin' was a 1994 hit single from R.Kelly's album 12 Play. He also released a remix version where Aaliyah (his protege at the time) titled the remix 'His & Her's' where you'll find it on his Remix City Volume 1 album. I definitely feel that this song was aimed at Aaliyah, which is kinda disturbing knowing how young she was at the time to be singing such a mature, grown track. Although I do like the remix version since both R.Kelly's and Aaliyah's vocals unify together nicely, I can't help but wonder what was going on behind the scenes. The song however proved to be successful in the top 20 pop hit charts reaching to number 2. It unfortunately got held back one place by our very own Babygirl's – Back And Fourth and also Janet Jackson's – Any Time, Any Place. Bad luck there R.Kelly!

As you've seen in previous posts, I have shown a lot of samples where artists/DJ's/producers have either sampled a lyric, chorus or beat. In 1996 a guy called Norman Brown did a cover of this song which you can find on his album Better Days Ahead. You can check out this version down below with all the other video's. :o) It doesn't stop there though, the song was later sampled again by hip-hop producer DJ Premier who sampled Kelly singing 'It's Unbelievable' for The Notorious B.I.G.'s track Unbelievable which is off his Ready To Die Album. This was also released later in 1994, where a lot of great artists were at their all time peak. And if you really want to go all the wayyyyy back, the song also sampled The Isley Brothers – Warm Summer Nights from the album Eternal. Again, you can peep all these samples down below. Anyhoo, enjoy guys! Please feel free to leave comments too! :o)

R.Kelly ft. Aaliyah: Summer Bunnies (Remix)

Released: July 1994

Recorded: 1993

Label: Jive Records

Apologies for the poor image quality, I searched high and low, but this is the best one I could find! Anyhoo, here's a not so familiar track which personally I had totally forgotten about myself until now. Summer Bunnies whole concept is generally about viewing women in a sexual way which you can clearly see from the remix version featuring Aaliyah. I was quite shocked when I saw this myself, since this was during a time where Hip-Hop was becoming more corrupt in the sense of exploiting women as sex objects. If you watch closely, there's a certain scene where the only thing which is blurred out is R.Kelly 'copping a feel' of all the 'bunnies' around him. Back then this was perfectly innocent and acceptable. Damn how times have changed! 

Now obviously as you guys are aware of the whole controversy behind R.Kelly and Babygirl you would think ok, why is Babygirl on such a explicit track? Especially at such a tender young age? But don't fret, Aaliyah was always very strong minded person when it came to her own personal image and the way she was perceived to others. Morally and ethically she always made sure she was comfortable with what she was doing, the saying "Keep it classy not trashy" comes to mind. Essentially, that is exactly what she did, which you can see from the video alone of her being fully covered in her loose fit, baggy clothing. You gotta give props for someone who can wear a style like that yet still hold their own, now that's REAL sex appeal!

With any track, again it is always good to know where your music samples are coming from. So here's a little music history lesson for you all. The original Summer Bunnies on the album version samples the 1982 Gap Band's – Outstanding, whereas the remix version samples the 1970's hit The Spinners – It's A Shame. You can check these out down below. But all in all, the remix version is definitely a 90's summer jam, similar to that of Will Smith's - Summer Time. Anyways, enjoy the bootyful, oops I mean beautiful scenery! :o)

Age Ain't Nothing But A Number

Released: May 24th 1994

Recorded: September 1993 – April 1994

Label: Blackground/Jive/BMG Records

Here we have the very first album that jump started Aaliyah's career with her main hit singles Back & Fourth, At Your Best (You Are Love) and Age Ain't Nothing But A Number. Two more singles were also released internationally which were Down With The Clique and The Thing I like. When you listen to the album, you get a real feel good vibe for what the 90's was all about in terms of musicality, fashion and overall peoples outlook on life with the lyrical content. Personally, when I listen to this album it takes me back to that place of when I was younger, where life was simple and love was pure and honest. 

Now obviously as you guys all know, this was during her more tom-boyish days where she was still finding herself at such a young age. I have always admired this about Babygirl, as she never relied on her 'womanly assets' to gain attention, she let the music speak for itself. Even being fully clothed and covered, (minus her stomach, which to be honest...if I had abs like hers I would want to show them off too!) she still had that 90's swag which was classy and effortless. Her trademark look with her sultry eyes, half peaking through the shades was instant to catch on with others in no time. Above all else, she was naturally sexy in her own way, with her glowing sex-appeal of confidence! (Take note ladies!)

Now, there was however a lot of controversy within this album where a lot of speculation was spreading in regards to Babygirls relationship with R.Kelly. Since R.Kelly was one of the main producers of this album, including mentoring and being the lead song writer, he brought a lot of his 'New Jack Swing' sound during the production process. So throughout this time, there was obviously no doubt they had a close relationship, since they worked on a lot of songs together. Essentially, R.Kelly was showing Babygirl the ropes of what being a singer was all about, but at the same time I would not condemn the actions of someone older taking advantage of someone young and vulnerable, you're just asking for trouble... case closed. To Aaliyah's credit, she handled interviews very well when questioned on this, showing that if you smile and stay positive no one can really break you down, no matter how difficult the situation may be.

Aaliyah's description of the album:

She felt that the songs "Came at you kind of tough, a bit edgy, Hip-Hop, but the vocals can be very soothing". She also added that "Lyrically I want things to be different".