Aaliyah: 10 Years Later

Today marks the tenth anniversary of the singer Aaliyah. As we all know, her influence and her music still live on. In this article, I'd like to focus on her legacy in music.

Musical Style
She worked on her first album with R. Kelly, Age Ain't Nothing But A Number at the age of fourteen and released the album a year later. Her debut single, "Back & Forth" became an instant hit. Her first album was a fusion of Jazz, R&B, and Hip-Hop. It was tempered by her silky vocals.
 Her second album, One In A Million was her first outing with production duo Missy Elliott and Timbaland and generated what is now known as her signature style. It produced hits such as "4 Page Letter" and "If Your Girl Only Knew." She would continue to work with the duo until her death.
  Her self-titled third album was also a success with singles including, "More than a Woman", "We Need A Resolution" and "Rock the Boat." It combined the silky stylings of her first album and the Hip-Hop edge of her second record.
 Aaliyah's voice was naturally sensuous and her music reflected this as well. Her songs were usually romantic, fun, and introspective, but always unique. What I appreciated about her was that she was different without compromising herself.

Personal Style

 Aaliyah probably was the most famous tomboy of the 1990s. Her baggy clothes, shades, and do-rags were all her. As she matured, her look did as well. She began to wear dresses and more fitted clothing that became a mark of her maturity as a woman and as an artist. She never did go into the clothing business, but if she had I'm sure it would have been a success.

Influence
 Aaliyah has influenced music in many ways. She was one of the few younger artists who didn't feel the need to sing about what she didn't know. As a result, she always connected to her fans in her honesty; I believe she set the mark for fan interaction in her peer group and in the generation of artists that followed.
 Aaliyah was never really compared to anyone because she set out to be herself. She wasn't a diva, she wasn't a sexpot. She was just a young woman exploring her life as only she knew how, through her music.
 Aaliyah's influence to me is most reflected in the early career of Ciara. When Ciara came out, her tomboyish look and lithe vocals were instantly matched with those of  Aaliyah. Ciara was very adamant about being her own artist, but wasn't shy about how Aaliyah influenced her.
 Other artists have mentioned Aaliyah as a major force in guiding their careers. Her dancing, her vocals, and her personality to many are still unmatched. But she herself was "One In A Million."