By: Amanda Anderson-Niles
Aaliyah’s upcoming album post her tragic death in 2001 is already a controversial one. Ever since word spread across the media that Young Money rapper Drake would be involved with the album and be producing it, sans the help of Aaliyah’s close friends and super producers Missy and Timberland, people have been outraged about how the album would actually turn out. Despite the criticisms and backlash about the album’s production and even reports that Aaliyah’s immediate family (sans her Uncle Barry Hankerson) weren’t backing the new album due to Drake’s involvement, Drake continues to push forward on the project, and the Blackground Records team continues to hype up the album’s release.
And now the label has released the official album cover art for the new album:
Despite Barry Hankerson’s support of the upcoming album, many artists who were close to Aaliyah continue to speak out against the album’s production. Even rapper DMX who was good friends with the fallen singer made it clear that he wasn’t too happy with Drake for how he went about doing this album. He says:
“I’m kinda feelin’ some kinda a way about the fact that you been commissioned, that you been blessed, you’ve been given the opportunity to do the Aaliyah album yet you don’t include anybody that she worked with personally.”
Many even speculate that Drake is only exploiting the singer, and Missy and Timberland themselves have said publicly that they were insulted and even upset that Drake never reached out to them about putting the album together.
Despite any of this, Aaliyah’s other family members stand by their original claims that they do not support the project. Aaliyah’s older brother Rashad Haughton said the following a couple months ago on the singer’s official Facebook Fan Page:
“There is no official album being released and supported by the Haughton family.”
The album is scheduled for a 2013 release.
Can’t say I like this album cover. It’s just something about the way to looks that proves that this project is a total disconnect from the Aaliyah WE knew. I wish Drake would have done the right thing and backed away from the opportunity. He didn’t know her. And his obsession with her is scary.
I like it. Her last music video before her death was Rock The Boat and I love how they incorporated that into the cover. Drake is whack, but he was a huge fan and has the opportunity to do something that’s once in a lifetime. Let him have his chance.
Looks too eerie to me…I hope the music will be good though. I’m nervous about Drake’s capabilities. Just being honest.
Nice album cover but it doesn’t change my lack of enthusiasm about this album. Drake is a very shallow person who had the opportunity to do this right and he didn’t. As much as I love Aaliyah, his involvement is making it hard for me to support this album.
It looks okay. Still not thrilled about all of this though. I feel like my parents when I say this but the young generation really has a lack of respect for the generation of music before them. It shows by how Drake treated Tim and Missy. No humility and it’s hard to support him.
Nice cover. After hearing the first track Drake did, I already know I won’t like this album. Makes me sad, but when people let greed overtake them, things like this happen all the time. And it’s not all Drake’s fault wither. Her Uncle knew better. I can only imagine how the rest of the family is feeling.
The Album cover looks good. I don’t know if I am going to buy it thou.
This mess is terrible. Drake needs to leave this alone. His obsession with her is unhealthy!
I just have real bad feeling about this project. There is no reason why Timbaland & Missy are not involved in this project.
I agree A. I just do not think her album will do her legacy justice.
The fact that Drake and this label are doing this against the family’s request is the 1st big no no to me. How disrespectful is that, and then you don’t include anyone who knew her and her style and her musical ability personally? That sounds like a money scheme to me. If I were a fan that respected the family and her musical gift I would not support this album until they do right by her, just saying…
#COSIGN
I think that she would not be pleased to have a stranger, you didn’t knew her, her manners, personality…..I always thought that if there were to be a new album of Aaliyah it would involve Timbaland, Missy, Dmx, Nas, Ginuwine…But never Drake…I get it that he is a fan…I’m a fan and for me it would be a perfect album if it was produce by the people who new her better….this is so sad…I’m not going to support it…..
As much as l would love an aaliyah album after a long time,l aint down with the drake executive producing it,its just not right&the fact that it dont feature missy &tim will lead to its lacking important elements that made aaliyah the AALIYAH.for the sake of aaliyah’s legacy,l just hope it will be platinum lyk her previous works