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(ThyBlackMan.com) Each time I take heed to Aaliyah, it looks like I’m reconnecting with part of myself—like flipping by way of an outdated diary or discovering an outdated photograph that also makes you smile. Her voice was by no means about overpowering the beat—it was about mixing with it, dancing round it, and making you really feel one thing deeper. She had that uncommon means to be each mysterious and relatable, soft-spoken however highly effective. That steadiness is one thing we nonetheless don’t see typically, even immediately.
For me, Aaliyah’s music is timeless not simply due to the way it sounds—however due to the way it feels. Her songs have been the soundtrack to so many late-night ideas, first crushes, heartbreaks, and even these moments the place you simply wanted one thing soulful in your ears. Whether or not she was whispering by way of a love tune or gliding throughout a futuristic beat, she introduced one thing recent and intimate each time.
Should you’re new to Aaliyah or simply revisiting her catalog, these seven songs are a few of the finest locations to begin—or return to. They’re extra than simply tracks; they’re little emotional time capsules that also maintain up fantastically. These are the songs I come again to, again and again. And I feel you’ll too.
1. “One in a Million” (1996)
When Timbaland and Missy Elliott first teamed up with Aaliyah, they didn’t simply create successful—they ushered in a brand new period of futuristic R&B. “One in a Million” is arguably one in every of Aaliyah’s most revolutionary tracks and stays a masterclass in style fusion. The manufacturing, with its stuttering beats and hypnotic synths, nonetheless sounds recent and forward of its time almost three a long time later. What makes it stand out is its means to steadiness softness with digital grit, making a soundscape that’s each intimate and experimental.
Lyrically, the observe is a love letter to a one-of-a-kind romance. Aaliyah’s breathy vocals float throughout the observe with precision, embodying a vulnerability that feels real. The distinction between her angelic voice and Timbaland’s jagged beat building showcases how opposites can create magic when aligned appropriately. This observe doesn’t simply age effectively—it’s immortalized in playlists that span generations.
Listening to “One in a Million” immediately nonetheless evokes the identical chills it did within the ’90s. Its affect is evident in fashionable R&B, with artists like SZA, Tinashe, and Normani pulling from its DNA. For anybody exploring Aaliyah’s catalog, this tune is greater than a must-listen—it’s a sonic blueprint for the place R&B has been and the place it continues to go.
2. “Are You That Any person?” (1998)
There are few tracks in late ’90s music as daring and genre-defying as “Are You That Any person?” Launched as a part of the Dr. Dolittle soundtrack, the tune shortly transcended its origins, turning into a defining file of Aaliyah’s profession. Timbaland’s manufacturing is completely bonkers—in one of the best ways. From the bouncing child coo loop to the staccato snares and abrupt silences, it’s a observe that makes you sit up and listen.
Aaliyah’s vocal efficiency right here is nothing wanting genius. She manages to glide over the chaotic beat with easy cool. Her phrasing is deliberate, making a call-and-response power between her voice and the beat. The lyrics concentrate on belief and discretion in a budding romance, making it each seductive and mysterious. Aaliyah’s means to make vulnerability really feel empowering is in full impact right here.
Quick ahead to immediately, and “Are You That Any person?” nonetheless slaps in golf equipment, vogue runways, and R&B retrospectives. It’s a tune that was years forward of its time and continues to encourage artists throughout hip hop and various R&B areas. Its longevity is a testomony to Aaliyah’s instincts—not simply as a singer, however as a tastemaker who wasn’t afraid to attempt one thing new.
3. “Strive Once more” (2000)
This observe wasn’t only a hit—it made historical past. “Strive Once more” was the primary tune to high the Billboard Scorching 100 solely on airplay, proving that Aaliyah’s enchantment prolonged far past conventional gross sales metrics. Crafted once more by Timbaland, the tune incorporates a minimalist beat pushed by artificial claps, eerie keyboard riffs, and a beat drop that also hits exhausting in immediately’s streaming age.
What units “Strive Once more” aside is its motivational message layered below seductive supply. Aaliyah sings about persistence in love, however the metaphor simply applies to life’s setbacks and the necessity to hold going. Her voice right here is cool, assured, and crisp, reflecting a maturing artist who knew precisely methods to management her sound. She wasn’t simply the girl-next-door anymore—she was moving into her function as an icon.
Even in 2025, “Strive Once more” may stay on any gymnasium playlist, industrial break, or film trailer with out feeling dated. Its message of resilience is timeless, and its sonic structure continues to affect the whole lot from lure soul to various pop. Aaliyah confirmed that you would be able to be slick and motivational all in the identical breath.
4. “Rock the Boat” (2001)
“Rock the Boat” represents a extra sensual and ethereal facet of Aaliyah’s artistry. Launched posthumously, it stands as one in every of her most fantastically layered songs. The manufacturing, by Static Main and Eric Seats, is silky, lush, and aquatic in its pacing—matching the tune’s nautical metaphors for intimacy. It’s the sort of observe that washes over you want a sluggish tide.
Vocally, Aaliyah is at her most alluring. Her supply is smooth however assertive, evoking a assured sensuality that by no means feels compelled or over-the-top. She makes use of restraint as her energy, making a sound that’s hypnotic and complex. The lyrics are deeply metaphorical, utilizing oceanic language to explain a sexual journey, nevertheless it’s finished with magnificence and subtlety.
Listening immediately, “Rock the Boat” looks like a precursor to the sort of sluggish jams that artists like Jhené Aiko and H.E.R. have made their signatures. It’s dreamy, immersive, and masterfully produced. There’s a cause why it nonetheless options closely in R&B mixes and bed room playlists—it’s timeless in each sound and sentiment.
5. “Again & Forth” (1994)
Aaliyah’s debut single “Again & Forth” launched her to the world as a brand new sort of R&B star—cool, laid-back, and mature past her years. At simply 15, Aaliyah had a presence that outshined her age. Produced by R. Kelly, the observe mixed New Jack Swing with easy vocals, establishing her as a power within the teen R&B world. The tune shortly turned a summer time anthem and gave Aaliyah her first primary on the R&B charts.
“Again & Forth” is a celebration observe, nevertheless it’s extra refined than most of its period. Aaliyah’s tone is relaxed and assured, as she sings about letting go and having fun with the weekend. It’s not over-embellished with vocal runs or heavy manufacturing methods; as an alternative, it rides a groove that’s straightforward to maneuver to however by no means feels gimmicky. Her signature vocal type—delicate, exact, and virtually whispered—is already in full bloom right here.
Almost 30 years later, “Again & Forth” nonetheless looks like the proper tune to kick off a Friday evening. It’s nostalgic with out being dated and reminds listeners of a time when R&B was evolving into one thing smoother and extra fashionable. For these seeking to perceive Aaliyah’s origins, this observe is important listening.
End the story right here; 7 Aaliyah Songs That Nonetheless Communicate to My Soul.
