Aaliyah Archives: Da Bassment Demo Tape

Photo courtesy of – http://confessionsofacurlymind.com/)

So recently, I mentioned to you all about the 20th Anniversary of Da Bassment crew. Since I have never heard these rare demo tracks before, I decided to give them a listen, and to my surprise...I came across ONE particular track where I recognised the beat/sample straight away. In fact two artists! Aaliyah (which was pretty much a no brainer, since this is an Aaliyah blog lol) and Ginuwine. This particular track features the likes of Virginia, Missy Elliott with production from Timbaland himself titled 'Let Me In Your Life'. If you listen carefully, the beginning beat sounds very similar to Ginuwine's 'When Doves Cry' on his album The Bachelor (a cover version he did of the original by Prince for those who are not familiar). Then as we get into the track more, I hear a sample which has been used in Aaliyah's 'Heartbroken' from her One In A Million album. Peep the first video below and skip straight to 16:24 to listen. I gotta say I am actually feeling this! Has such a 90's nostalgia vibe. You can also listen to some of the other demo tracks too, if you are curious. I happen to have more tracks for all those interested, so if anyone wishes to have this demo tape, email me via theaaliyaharchives@gmail.com and I shall personally email it to you.

Anyhoo, peep the videos below to compare and contrast these sounds. I have also included the original sample which was used for Aaliyah's Heartbroken which was from 'Minnie Riperton – Inside My Love' (skip to 3:07 on the video to hear the sample)

(Credit to http://escobar300.wordpress.com for the demo tape)

Missy Elliot ft. Aaliyah: Best Friends

 

Released: July 15th 1997

Recorded: November 1996 – May 1997

Label: The Goldmind/Elektra

Supa Dupa Fly is Missy Elliot's debut studio album which was released in 1997. As you can tell, Aaliyah was featured as a guest appearance on the album for the track Best Friends. The song talks about how women go through the trials and tribulations of ending up with a man who just play and mess around with them, taking them for granted. It also talks about the true meaning of friendship, showing which people are down for you in your time of need, and which ones merely see you as a hinderance. I think this is very important as not many people understand the true value of friendship these days. People are so quick to jump into a relationship, yet they don't take the time to allow themselves to get to know one another. You can hear this from the first line of the track where Aaliyah sings – 

"My best friend say, 

She's sick of me cryin' on the phone 

telling how a man be doggin' me, 

My best friend say,

Don't tell her nothin' bout me and you 

cause she ain't showin' me no sympathy"

As you can see from the lyrics, a true friend is brutally honest no matter how much you would like to hear it or not. In the song, it's saying let go of all the drama that you put up with because no matter what, your best friend will be by your side to help you through it all. All I can say is that's real talk. I'm sure a lot of women can relate to this song when they have a heart to heart with their girlfriends about a man who is just being ungrateful and malicious. To anyone who is going through or has been through this, here's a song which will cheer you up for sure. Remember that true friends are hard to come by, so when you do come by them, make sure they are down for you and vice versa. As J.cole would say..."Watch out for the snakes". 

Speaking of J.cole, he also did a version of this song titled Best Friend, sampling the beat, where he is rapping over it. You can find this on his third mixtape Friday Night Lights (A great mixtape I must add!) Personally I think he did a great tribute in memory of Babygirl as it's something which keeps her memory alive for those younger kids who are not aware of her. He also does a nice spin on it, talking from the males point of view on how sometimes your lady's friend (her homegirl) can interfere a bit too much, since a relationship is between two people. I like how he stayed true to the theme of the song on this one. Nice work J.Cole! :o)

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)

Kris Kross: Live And Die For Hip-Hop ft. Aaliyah, Da Brat, Jermaine Dupri and Mr.Black

 

Released: February 8th 1996

Recorded: 1995

Label: So So Def Recordings/Ruffhouse Records/Columbia Records/Sony Music Entertainment

Live And Die For Hip Hop was the second and final single from the album Young, Rich And Dangerous. The single features rappers Da Brat, Jermaine Dupri, Mr.Black and background vocals from our Babygirl. The actual song itself contains a sample from Regina Belle's – Baby Come To Me. You can check this out below to compare and contrast. Dj Clark Kent who I mentioned earlier in my Junior M.A.F.I.A. post also contributed by making a remix version of the track. However, all in all production wise for this classic hip-hop joint goes to Jermaine Dupri.

Overall I like the track, but I don't think Aaliyah is featured in it enough as I would of liked. I also feel that she should of at least been in the video to show some kind of recognition, but hey! It is what is it is...I aint gonna complain, because I'd rather hear some vocals from Babygirl then none at all. Oh and I would also like to say R.I.P to Chris Kelly A.K.A– Mac Daddy who passed away on May 1st 2013. It's a real shame he had to go like that through the drugs route, along with others like Amy Winehouse. All we can do is remember the great music they have left us with in this music industry. I still remember the trend they made by wearing their clothes backwards, crazy times... But as a tribute I have left the videos Jump and Tonite's Tha Night which you can check out down below. Enjoy everyone! :o) 

                                

Junior M.A.F.I.A. – I Need You Tonight ft. Aaliyah

 

Released: August 9th 1995

Recorded: 1995

Label: Big Beat

I Need You Tonight was one of Babygirls early 'as featured performer' tracks. It was the second single from Junior M.A.F.I.A.'s debut album Conspiracy, where Faith Evans originally sang the chorus on the album, however on the single version Aaliyah was singing instead. Production wise, DJ Clark Kent (nice name!) was responsible for this track sampling Lisa Lisa And Cult Jam's – I Wonder If I Take You Home (clearly used for the chorus part) and Patrice Rushen's – Remind Me. You can peep these versions down below to have a listen.

I always think it is important to educate people and get to the true roots of an original song/version, as you can see how the sample was used both lyrically and musically, but also listening to the difference in the vibe of the track itself. A lot of people may encounter a jam they like, but 9 times out of 10, most samples have been taken from the late 70's and 80's, so the next time you listen to something always think to yourself hmm...can this track date back even further? or am I listening to the original?

Personally, I feel the sampling has been done very well, and marry together nicely. Babygirl's voice alone just hooks you onto that chorus and makes you forget about the original version entirely. I also love the 90's vibe of the video as you can see the humor side to it. It's amazing to see how people didn't take life so seriously back then, and worry about their looks in comparison to now. Definitely a time where it was all about being carefree and having kindred spirits. Ironically, you'll find Lil' Kim in this video, rapping some killer lines I must say. It's a shame she had to go under so much plastic surgery because she actually looked quite pretty in this video. I guess she was one person who did pay attention to her looks but hey! With that being said... sit back, relax and enjoy this summer, jamming track.

Rashad Haughton: One In A Billion

Here is a song done by Aaliyah's brother Rashad Haughton, sampling Babygirls One In A Million as a tribute to her memory. He came out with this three years ago during the devastating Haiti earthquakes. You can find the link on his site, supporting donations for the Haiti Charity here http://www.rad-6.com/rad If the link doesn't work, I have also uploaded the video which Rashad himself left a comment by saying...

"I wanna thank everyone for all your wonderful comments and showing love over the weekend and for the past 9 years. Let's take it to infinity! Art Eternal...RAD:6" 

Bless! How sweet of him. When I first heard this I was blown away not only by the production which has a sort of funky house element to it, but lyrically where he used Babygirls title tracks just to describe her. Very thoughtful and appropriate. You can read the whole lyrics just below here.

One in a Billion

They don't make angels everyday

God broke the mold when he made you

My heart aches every time you sang

Your voice is a perfect dream come true

Your style, so fly

The whole world knows you were one of a kind

My heart will wait til' once again I am by your side

Chorus

Your love is a one in a billion love

It goes on

Your love is a one in a billion love

It goes on

More than a woman but still my baby girl

You rocked more than a boat you rocked the whole wide world

I take a journey to the past everyday

I remember how we used to laugh and play

At your best you are love

The highest most exalted one

You live up to your name

You are my one in a billion lady

Chorus

Your love is a one in a billion love

It goes on

Your love is a one in a billion love

It goes on

Written by RAD:6