Compilation Albums: Ultimate Aaliyah

Released: May 10th 2005

Recorded: March 1993 – 2001

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.

Aaliyah – E! True Hollywood Story Part 1

http://www.joystar.tv/media/6652/Aaliyah_E_True_Hollywood_Story_Part_1/

Aaliyah – E! True Hollywood Story Part 2

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5wkld_aaliyah-e-true-hollywood-story-02_music

Aaliyah – E! True Hollywood Story Part 3

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5wk96_aaliyah-e-true-hollywood-story-03_music

Aaliyah – E! True Hollywood Story Part 4

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5wco4_aaliyah-e-true-hollywood-story-04_music

Aaliyah – E! True Hollywood Story Part 5

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5wcce_aaliyah-e-true-hollywood-story-05_music

Aaliyah – E! True Hollywood Story Part 6

http://www.joystar.tv/media/6657/Aaliyah_E_True_Hollywood_Story_Part_6/

Compilation Albums: I Care 4 U

(International Cover)

 

Released: December 10th 2002

Recorded: September 1993 – March 9th 2001

Label: Blackground/Universal

Here we have the first posthumous compilation album featuring Aaliyah's album cuts, unreleased tracks and demos which were recorded between 1993 – 2001. Not only does the album contain all of her hit singles, it also has a number of tracks which were left to one side, including the singles Miss You, Don't Know What To Tell Ya and Come Over. I Care 4 U proved to be a success in Japan and Finland entering the charts at number one. It also reached the top 5 in the US, Europe, Argentina, UK, France, Germany and Switzerland and at the top 10 in Brazil, Canada, New Zealand and Poland. (Talk about an international success!) The album was also certified platinum in the United States selling over 1.7 million copies. (Damn, that's a hell of a lot of copies!)

From my own personal view, I believe this album compiles some of the greatest tracks Babgirl ever released throughout her career. Funnily enough, my actual favorites would have to be her unreleased and demo work as you could see the potential and direction she was aiming towards. Not many people are aware of these tracks but my favorites on the album are All I Need, Don't Worry, and Erica Kane. You can check these out down below.

As for the video's let's just say Miss You shows a lot of respect and appreciation from the likes of such artists as (in order of appearance in the video) –

• DMX
• Missy Elliot
• Lil' Kim
• Toni Braxton
• Ananda Lewis
• Dallas Austin
• Rosario Dawson
• Playa
• Andre Royo
• Montel Williams
• Free
• A.J. Calloway
• Jaheim
• Tweet
• Jamie Foxx
• Tank
• Laz Alonso
• Mary J. Blige
• La-La
• Sharissa
• Nick Cannon
• J.D. Williams
• Steele & Buckshot
• Queen Latifah
• Quddus
• Keith Perrin & J. Alexander
• Big Tigger
• U-God of the Wu-Tang Clan

Phew! I think that's everyone! Lil Jon was also part of the cameo crew but was not in the video. The second video is a fan made video made by marcjacobs17, you can catch his profile on youtube for more information. I must say that the video has been put together very well in terms of the theme of the song itself. Good job! Anyhoo, watch and enjoy my fellow Aaliyan fans! :o)

Romeo Must Die Soundtrack

Here are the main singles from the soundtrack Romeo Must Die. Firstly we have the iconic, Grammy nominated single Try Again, where Aaliyah was most recognised in terms of the public audience. The song is also on her third studio album, self titled Aaliyah. It was written by Static Major and Steve Garrett, whereas the production side was in the hands of Timbaland. (Although he did help with the lyrical content too) Try Again was released on February 22nd 2000 as the lead single for the soundtrack, it also features an intro in which Timbo himself pays his respect and homage to Eric B. and Rakim, sampling and rapping the duo's opening verse from their track titled – I Know You Got Soul. You can check out the classic Hip-Hop sample above here to compare and contrast the different styles and use of the verse.

The other two tracks that are also featured on the album are Are You Feelin' Me? and Back In One Piece ft. DMX. I love the Hip-Hop vibe of both of these tracks. This is just something you can just bounce to and dance to from hearing the beats alone. What's really amazing is (You've probably seen me say this countless of times in other posts, but I'm going to still mention it anyways! lol) how fresh these tracks sound! Not one of them sounds outdated. Just goes to show, that all of Babygirls enthusiasm for wanting something different and unusual, has left her legacy to live on for many years with the likes of legends such as Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson. That's definitely something which is rare, and not a lot of people can do.

Another track which was actually featured on two soundtracks was I Don't Wanna. Personally one of my favorite Aaliyah songs lyrically. Not only was it featured on Romeo Must Die, it was also featured on the soundtrack of Next Friday, a comedy which was released in 1999 under Priority Records. Again...you can peep the song above to listen. :o)

Happy Birthday Rashad Haughton! (August 6th 1977)

Just a quick shout out wishing a very Happy 36th Birthday to the one and only Rashad Haughton who was Aaliyah's everything. Throughout every moment in her life, he was always there by her side, looking out for his sister as any loving brother would. Babygirl would be very proud of him if she were still around today. Have a blessed day!

Dr.Doolittle Soundtrack: Are You That Somebody?

Are You That Somebody was a Grammy nominated single for the Best R&B Vocal Performance (rightly deserved too!) Babygirl recorded this for the film soundtrack Dr.Dolittle. The song itself was written and composed by Playa's Static Major, who also sang backing vocals alongside with Aaliyah. Timbaland, who also contributed to writing and producing was featured as a guest rap for the track.

Now as a lot of you Aaliyah fans know, the song samples a baby cooing/murmuring, but do you guys know where it was originally sampled from? Well for those who don't it was originally sampled from Perry And Kingsley's – Countdown at 6 (1966). There is also another sample used from D.Train – You're The One For Me, which was a dance classic in 1982.

Personally, I love this video as Aaliyah looks very oriental with her hair parted in sections. Her style of dancing is so effortless as it just came naturally to her. Even the use of make-up, I don't know too many women who could pull off a grey lipstick shade and still make it look hot. But I guess that's what Babygirl was all about, she could make anything look hot without even trying. Well with that being said...please watch and enjoy! :o)

Anastasia Soundtrack: Journey To The Past

Here is one of Aaliyah's soundtracks for the film Anastasia. It was released as a single from the album Journey To The Past and was also featured as the seventh single in her studio album One In A Million. I personally remember watching this film as a little girl and instantly fell in love with it. The fact that Aaliyah contributed to it, just added as a bonus for me. It was released in 1997, as you can clearly tell as we see a young Aaliyah acting as a role model for all the other younger girls out there. From this video alone, you can really tell that she was great with the kids. I also like the mixture of animation within in it, as it's something all the children liked back then. I find that children (specifically us 80's/90's babies) enjoyed a lot of simpler stuff back then, such as the double dutch/skipping ropes, riding bikes and generally having a good time without the aids of modern technology such as mobile phones. Oh how I miss the 90's! Anyhoo, peep the video above to watch in full. :o)

Aaliyah (Red Album): The Video Collection

A collection of Babygirls singles from her third album Aaliyah. I Care 4 U is also featured as one of her singles from this album. There isn't an actual video for this song so I am just sharing the audio content with you. I have also included the track Messed Up as it is a hidden track on the US version of the album. Anyways...sit back and enjoy some real music! :o)