Aaliyah Celebrated By Missy Elliott On What Would Have Been Her 41st Birthday

BY Erika Marie 9.5K Views
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Aaliyah
We celebrate the life and legacy of the late singer.

At the top of January 16, Missy Elliott didn't skip a beat in wishing Aaliyah a Happy Birthday. Thursday marks what would have been the late singer's 41st birthday and it's still unbelievable to think that we're soon approaching the 20-year anniversary of her tragic death. "#HappyBDayAaliyah you are still inspiring people!" Missy wrote on Twitter. "Your edgyness & smooth dancing SO EFFORTLESS your UNIQUENESS & STYLE unmatched 🔥MUSICALLY your songs will 4EVER be NEXT LEVEL! RIP babygal 4Ever Loved🕊🙏🏾❤️."

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Along with her message, Missy shared a video of Aaliyah working behind-the-scenes on one of her music videos. "I've always been someone who has had an affinity towards edgy things, towards the dark side," the singer says in the clip. "From Romeo to Queen of the Damned to The Matrix, they all kinda represent that for me. It's very edgy, it's unique, and it's a little bit dark, and I like that in my music as well. So, I felt in taking a step into another genre that I wanted to do something that people could understand the flow with me and they know me that way in music so I thought this was the best way."

Meanwhile, back in November 2019, it was announced that Aaliyah's full catalog would finally become available on streaming services. There were rumors that fans would receive that as a gift on Aaliyah's birthday, but it's unclear if that is still something that will happen on Thursday. Check out a few Aaliyah throwbacks in honor of Baby Girl's birthday.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.