The Buzz

Is Drake planning an Aaliyah album without her family's blessing?

by Arts Online Posted: August 8, 2012 12:20 PM Last Updated: August 8, 2012 4:41 PM

Categories: Celebrities, Music, Social Media

More than a decade after her death, Aaliyah's smooth voice reverberates throughout a freshly released track Enough Said, featuring Toronto rapper Drake. He performed the song at Toronto's OVO festival this weekend.

Aaliyah's previously unreleased vocals have been described as "warm and angelic" -- and have been, for many, a welcome reminder of the late singer's gentle touch.

Drake, whose affection for the singer is apparent in his Aaliyah tattoos, has added a short rap verse to the percussive track.

About Aaliyah

Aaliyah Haughton -- known simply as Aaliyah or by her nickname Baby Girl -- was born in Detroit on January 6, 1979.

The artist began singing at the age of 11. By 15, she had her first album, Age Ain't Nothing But A Number.

Aaliyah earned a Grammy nomination for her song Try Again, and was beginning to establish herself within the film industry before her untimely death.

She played Jet Li's feisty love interest in the film Romeo Must Die. She was also scheduled to appear in the sequel to The Matrix.

Aaliyah was just 22 when she died in a plane crash.

The song has raised the ire of critics, with many questioning Drake's right to "collaborate" with a singer he never met. He has been blasted online for his plans to spearhead other posthumous projects.

The rapper has said he is working on an Aaliyah-related project, which is rumoured to be a new posthumous album, all without the approval of her family.

"There is no official album being released and supported by the Haughton family," Aaliyah's brother Rashad Haughton wrote Monday on her official Facebook page.

Aaliyah's longtime friends and musical partners Timbaland and Missy Elliott have reportedly been invited to join the project after they complained of being left out of the fold.

"I don't know what's going on," Timbaland told Power 105 earlier this week. "The proper way to do [a collaboration] would be for me, [Drake] and Missy to be all on the record."

It has been 11 years since a plane crash killed the singer affectionately known as Baby Girl on August 25, 2001. Aaliyah's uncle and manager, Barry Hankerson, likely owns the rights to her recordings, many of which have never been heard by her fans.

Many welcome Drake's apparent interest in reviving the singer's talent, but the tensions between supporters and critics has been apparent on social media.


Would you like to see a new Aaliyah album released? If so, who should spearhead and/or be involved with the project?


Tags: Celebrities, Music, Social Media, Toronto