August 25 marks close to a decade since R&B singer Aaliyah died and I still miss her. Growing up, Aaliyah was always one of my absolute favorite singers. I followed her career since I was ten years old and I can honestly say, other than Michael Jackson, she was one of the artists I most admired. The thing that I loved most about Aaliyah, other than her music, was her kind spirit.
She was also a style icon. Aaliyah proved that you did not have to show a lot of skin to be pretty or sexy. She wanted people to focus on her music and not her looks. You can see that female artists from today, like Billie Eilish, have been inspired by her. When Aaliyah died, I was so heartbroken. I was seventeen and while it would probably sound silly to some, because I grew up with her, I felt like I had lost a friend or family member.
I remember I cried a lot. I knew all her songs word for word and spent many days learning the choreography to the dances in her music videos. I actually spent an entire summer in Alabama, learning the dance to her music video for ‘Are You That Somebody.’ I regret nothing.
Every time I see Aaliyah, I think of what an incredible artist she was. Her voice was just beautiful and she had so much range. I looked forward to getting new music videos from her and believe me, I had many favorites. I thought with this being the anniversary of her passing, I would do a list of some of my all-time favorites.
4 Page Letter
This has always been one of my favorite songs and music videos from Aaliyah’s album ‘One In A Million.’ I love her vocals, the lyrics and the music video is just magical. From the makeup too the iconic silver outfit, this video is everything. One of my favorite things about it was that she was the one that stepped in and saved the day to rescue her man and it wasn’t the other way around.
Hot Like Fire
Another Iconic video. The red color scheme, the fire trucks, just the whole aesthetic for this video was perfect. Also, the dancing, sadly I have yet to master the choreography for this one.
Journey To The Past
Aaliyah’s rendition of ‘Journey to the past,’ from the film Anastasia is another favorite. The music video is amazing and I remember feeling so happy the first time I saw it. It still makes me smile whenever I see it. It also makes me sad too when it ends with her in the clouds because I think of her as an Angel in the sky.
Something a lot of people probably don’t know is that this song was nominated for an Academy award and Aaliyah just happened to be the youngest performer to hit the stage there in 1998.
Try Again
I can’t say enough about this song and this music video. Try again, from the Romeo Must Die film soundtrack which also starred Aaliyah in her acting debut, is ICONIC. From the moment I heard this song I was was in love with it. Then when the music video released, I fell more in love with it. This video had some of my favorite choreography in it and I remember wanting to put red tips in my hair like Aaliyah when I saw her hair.
Are You That Somebody
This music video was iconic because it was the first time we saw Aaliyah dancing in a dress and heels. I was so used to seeing her in tank tops and baggy pants so this was quite a departure, but she looked amazing. Also, as I said earlier, I spent an entire summer learning this choreography.
We Need A Resolution
I still remember how excited I was the day this music video came out. It got me so hyped up because it had been five years since Aaliyah’s last album. It was clear this album was going to be something unlike anything she had ever done. Aaliyah was a grown woman that had fully come into her own and was ready to show the world who she was.
More Than A Woman
I love this video because I always thought it was so creative. The concept of Aaliyah not only riding the motorcycle, but literally being inside every part of it dancing was so cool to me.
Rock The Boat
I’m ending my list with this one because as all Aaliyah fans know, it was the last one she shot before her passing. This video is incredibly beautiful and honestly it is so hard for me to watch it. I get sad every single time. I know she would not want her fans to be sad watching it, but I can’t help it. All I can say is that Aaliyah left this world far too soon, but her music will live on forever.
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