She's One In A Million ©Black Beat Mag. 1996

by Serena Kapes With the release of her hot new LP One In A Million, Aaliyah is letting the world know that she can more live up to its name. Aaliyah made her point over two years ago. Sure she was young and had plenty of other R&B divas to contend with, but she had the talent to make her a superstar. Her 1994 debut LP Age Ain't Nothing But A Number gave a one-two punch to the music industry, proving that selling records had nothing to do with age. In fact, it sold over 1.1 million copies and gave Aaliyah some serious spotlight with hits like "Back and Forth" and "At Your Best (You Are Love)," an Isley Brothers remake showcasing her smooth vocal style and sophisticated way with a verse. Now, 17 year-old Aaliyah is back on the block with One In A Million seventeen smoldering songs that lay to rest any questions about her staying power as an artist. Aaliyah's soprano voice is even more potent this time around. Equal parts Minne Riperton and Deniece Williams with a touch of Janet Jackson, Aaliyah puts a retro stamp on a thoroughly '90's sounds-it's old school soul meets new school R&B flava at its finest. "I do feel this album is the next level for me," agrees Aaliyah. Where Age Ain't Nothing But A Number was entirely written and produced by R.Kelly, Aaliyah enlisted the help of some of the hottest names in the music business for One In A Million, including Jermaine Dupri and Naughty By Nature's kay Gee, as well as up and new comers like Timbaland (known for his work with Jodeci), who produced over half of One In A Million's tracks. The set rolls from the up tempo swing of "Beats 4 Da Streets" to the breathtaking balladry of "Never Givin' Up," a duet Aaliyah does with an as yet un-named vocal group on Blackground/Atlantic. "It was a wonderful learning experience," she says about recording her second collection of songs. "Instead of limiting myself to one producer, I decided to spread my wings and show my colors with different people." Like any artist who has a successful debut, Aaliyah had worries about how she'd be received the second time around. "The sophomore project is one that is heavily scrutinized," Aaliyah eplains in her soft-spoken tone. "But I said I'm not gonna defeat myself before I even give it a try. I'm gonna relax, go into the studio, put my all into every song and leave it into God's hands, and up to the fans." "If Your Girl Only Knew," the debut single with its distinctive bassline, memorable chrous and mid-tempo swagger, was a slammin' way to kick things up again for Aaliyah. The opposite of SWV's "You're the One For Me," which boasts about creepin' around with someone else's man, "If Your Girl Only Knew" portrays Aaliyah as an independant woman not to be played with. "The subject is a guy trin' to talk to me and I'm saying, 'I don't want to talk to you 'cause you have a girlfriend,'" lookin' out for the female in this song. I just thought it was a unique way to come back out. Once again, Aaliyah does justice to the Isley Brothers with her sensual old and new school covers of the quiet storm gem "Choosey Lover." She laughs when asked whether paying homage to the Isleys is becoming a tradition. "I think so, I just can't help it. I love their stuff," Aaliyah responds. Hooking up with hip-hop heavyweights like Treach and Slick Rick on One In A Million was another perk for Aaliyah. The Kay Gee-produced "A Girl Like You" teams her with Treach and it's one of the baddest duets since Mary J. Blige and Method Man tore things up on the Marvin Gaye/Tammy Terell classic "You're All I Need..." Unfortunately, schedualing conflicts prevented her from being in the studio the same time as Slick Rick, but their chemistry on the remake of Marvin Gaye's party jam "Got To Give It Up" makes you feel like they were vibing off one another in person. "He's one of the greatest rappers of all time," Aaliyah says with admiration. Challenging herself was her goal in recording One In A Million, and Aaliyah feels she achieved her aim in the end. "I took some risks, did some runs, hit some different notes, which was really cool. I really enjoyed it," she says. In her own life, Aaliyah hasn't been a stranger to personal challenges. In fact, with rampant rumors of her alleged marriage to her mentor R.Kelly circulating throughout the industry a couple of years ago, Aaliyah got swept up in a nasty media whirlwind. How did she manage to get past it? "I'm a strong person," Aaliyah says reflectively. "I've had hard times and it says something about you if you can pull through it and come back. I said, 'I've got a lot of things I want to do in life and I'm not gonna let anything stop me.'" Aaliyah kept busy with a number of projects during her hiatus. She worked with Junior M.A.F.I.A. and Kris Kross, she appeared in Notorious B.I.G.'s "One More Chance" video and performed "Are You Ready?" on the Sunset Park soundtrack. "I was glad I did these things because it kept me visable, but not yet overexposed in between recording," says Aaliyah. This fall, Aaliyah entered her senior year of high school as a dance major at the Detroit High School for Performing Arts. Though she plans putting a college career on hold, she would like to earn her degree one day. "I want to study music histiry and minor in drama," she reveals. "I want to venture out into acting, and try different things like that. I'm not gonna close my mind to anything." What's the best part of returning to the spotlight for this singing sensation? "The fact that I can start performing again-I miss that," Aaliyah admits. "Being able to interact with the audience, doing autograph sessions, it's the best part. I get to touch them, and that's what it's all about."