First and foremost; outside of her first record, Aaliyah wasn't recording mainstreamed music (like Brandy and other peers), she was more avant-garde/experimental and those kind of songs rarely appeal the masses. She worked with Timbaland & Missy when they were still underground for practically all of "One in a Million". When "Aaliyah" came 5 years later with them top of the production game, she only had 2 songs from them (I don't count "I Care 4 U" since it was recording during the OIAM era) with the majority of the songs from underground/relatively unknown producers. She purposely, sought out new/different sounds for her records and that's part of the reason why they don't sound as dated as her contemporaries music of the same age.
Second, Billboard until 1998 wouldn't allow songs that weren't widely released as physical singles to chart on the majority of their weeklies. "Are You That Somebody" was falling after being out for practically half the year when they changed their rules and debuted at #21 on the Hot 100 as it was losing airplay after months of overplay (peaked at #4 on overall radio airplay). Those that REALLY follow and are informed about the MUSIC industry know that she was robbed of Top 5 (potentially #1 ) Hot 100 single, because of Billboard's prior favoritism towards Top 40 artists and BlackGround not making her music more widely available. Regardless of that, she still had many #1 and near chart topping hits...
Back & Forth #1 (BR&B), #5 (Hot 100) At Your Best #2 (BR&B), #6 (Hot 100) If Your Girl Only Knew #1 (BR&B), #11 (Hot 100) One in a Million #1 (R&B Airplay) 4 Page Letter #12 (BR&B) The One I Gave My Heart To #8 (BR&B), #9 (Hot 100) Are You That Somebody #1 (BR&B), #21 (Hot 100) I Don't Wanna #1 (R&B Airplay) #5 (BR&B) Try Again #1 (Hot 100), #2 (R&B Airplay) We Need A Resolution #8 (R&B Airplay), #15 (BR&B) Rock The Boat #1 (R&B Airplay), #14 (Hot 100) More Than A Woman #5 (R&B Airplay), #25 (Hot 100) I Care 4 U #3 (BR&B), #16 (Hot 100) Miss You #1 (BR&B), #3 (Hot 100) Come Over #9 (BR&B)
Also, her music videos STAYED in rotation (back in a time where they were very important) and "Are You That Somebody", "Try Again", "Rock The Boat" & "More Than A Woman" all topped MTV's actual videoplay (no I'm not talking about TRL, im referring to the number of times it aired on the channel each week) when Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera & Spice Girls were the "IT" Girls.
I'm not going to go into discussion about Aaliyah's film career because she was just getting her feet wet but "Romeo Must Die" was the #1 debut the week it hit theaters with $18 million at the Box Office only 500,000 behind (Julia Robert's) Erin Brockovich which was dominating at that time. It still made $91 million on $25 million budget. Even "Queen of the Damned" opened at #1 and was profitable although not as much as RMD.
Second, Billboard until 1998 wouldn't allow songs that weren't widely released as physical singles to chart on the majority of their weeklies. "Are You That Somebody" was falling after being out for practically half the year when they changed their rules and debuted at #21 on the Hot 100 as it was losing airplay after months of overplay (peaked at #4 on overall radio airplay). Those that REALLY follow and are informed about the MUSIC industry know that she was robbed of Top 5 (potentially #1 ) Hot 100 single, because of Billboard's prior favoritism towards Top 40 artists and BlackGround not making her music more widely available. Regardless of that, she still had many #1 and near chart topping hits...
Back & Forth #1 (BR&B), #5 (Hot 100) At Your Best #2 (BR&B), #6 (Hot 100) If Your Girl Only Knew #1 (BR&B), #11 (Hot 100) One in a Million #1 (R&B Airplay) 4 Page Letter #12 (BR&B) The One I Gave My Heart To #8 (BR&B), #9 (Hot 100) Are You That Somebody #1 (BR&B), #21 (Hot 100) I Don't Wanna #1 (R&B Airplay) #5 (BR&B) Try Again #1 (Hot 100), #2 (R&B Airplay) We Need A Resolution #8 (R&B Airplay), #15 (BR&B) Rock The Boat #1 (R&B Airplay), #14 (Hot 100) More Than A Woman #5 (R&B Airplay), #25 (Hot 100) I Care 4 U #3 (BR&B), #16 (Hot 100) Miss You #1 (BR&B), #3 (Hot 100) Come Over #9 (BR&B)
Also, her music videos STAYED in rotation (back in a time where they were very important) and "Are You That Somebody", "Try Again", "Rock The Boat" & "More Than A Woman" all topped MTV's actual videoplay (no I'm not talking about TRL, im referring to the number of times it aired on the channel each week) when Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera & Spice Girls were the "IT" Girls.
I'm not going to go into discussion about Aaliyah's film career because she was just getting her feet wet but "Romeo Must Die" was the #1 debut the week it hit theaters with $18 million at the Box Office only 500,000 behind (Julia Robert's) Erin Brockovich which was dominating at that time. It still made $91 million on $25 million budget. Even "Queen of the Damned" opened at #1 and was profitable although not as much as RMD.
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