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Baby Girl

Page 24

by Kathy Iandoli


  To Chica (Albania): the day you were Aaliyah for Halloween was the day I knew you would be my friend forever. L.A.V.

  To Steph, who read this book before the world did and hears all of my thoughts on anything and everything. I couldn’t have asked for a better accountability partner and friend. Keith loves Stove forever.

  To Tamika, I seriously don’t know what I would do without you. You have kept me from spiraling so many days of every week. I love you so much and can never repay you. Glad you, me, and Maggie have this #BrewHa crew, ha. Love you Mags! And of course, hi Kennedy!

  To Jonathan, who sees my potential even when I don’t. You are the greatest. Love you.

  To KC, for always being my light in transit. You bring out the #writer in me. Love you.

  To Janice, for being my musical partner in crime and in cry hahaha. Love you!!

  To Munny, for being so supportive through this process and always. Love you so much.

  To Tra and Bree, I love you my sisters (Kel too haha!). I can’t thank you both enough for being the best support system since we were kids. You mean the world to me.

  To Porscha, for always listening and being my partner in water sign crime. I love you, P. Your pep talks are epic. Can’t wait to keep our teamwork going in this space.

  To Georgette, for the Aaliyah candle that I’ve burned at every milestone. Love you Gza!

  To Laura Stylez, for being the first to know about this book. Thank you for being the best. Love you! Love to Ricardo and Kenza too!

  To Marvis, for being my favorite sparring partner hahaha. You’re the greatest.

  To Lil’ Kim, for coming through with stories about Baby Girl. Every time you talk, you know I’m listening, in awe of you. Appreciate you always, my friend.

  To Phoebe Robinson, for commiserating with me during this entire ride!

  To Chanel Pettaway, for being an amazing friend (and publicist).

  To Dart Adams, for helping me with these thank you’s.

  To Simone Amelia Jordan, Roderick Scott, Marsha Gosho Oakes (Hawk), and Michael Gonzales, for digging up treasured Aaliyah relics for my research. I appreciate you, friends.

  To dream hampton, for taking part in this book and for also being a wonderful mentor and friend. Also, thank you for always laughing at my jokes. Someone has to.

  To Rapsody, Lolo Zouaï, Kash Doll, Jim Jones, Ja Rule, Vikki Tobak, Tameka Foster, Jimmy Douglass, April Walker, Kimya Warfield-Rainge, and Cola Walker (the queens of Walker Wear), Jim DeRogatis, Tim Barnett, Donnie Scantz, Bashir, Eddie OTCHERE, Eric Johnson, and of course Jonathan Mannion. Your input was so valued for this book. I can’t thank you all enough.

  To Kingsley Russell, your bravery in telling your story is so appreciated.

  To #TeamAaliyah, who became my friends: Aali, Sandy, Erica, Frances, Ashley, Terrell, Nathan, and Tonica. As an Aaliyah fan, I never had a place to really talk about just how much she impacted my life. You all provided that (and so much more). Sandy, you and Erica are my favorite five-hour convos. Aali, Indie says hi.

  Thank you also to Shonda Rhimes, Alison Eakle and the team at Shondaland, my dear friends Kim Osorio and Vanessa Satten, my lil’ sis Se’era Ricks, my forever girl Marisa Mendez, Questlove, Robert Glasper, Vic Mensa, Nina Sky, India Shawn, Jada Gomez, Daniel Sozomenu, Amaiya Davis, B. Dot, Rebstar, JFK, Leah McSweeney, JoJo, Kid Sister, Leandra Williams, Ebro, Peter Rosenberg, Carl Lamarre, Jake Paine, Alvin “Aqua” Blanco, Chuck Creekmur, Jermaine Hall, Jerry Barrow, Big Ced, Jahi Sundance, Dove, Cherry Martinez, Queen D. Scott, Marisa Mendez, Se’era Spragley Ricks, Dan Charnas, Elliott Wilson, Clover Hope, Kierna Mayo, Marisa Bianco, Joe Carozza, Ashley Kalmanowitz, Jason Davis, Jamie Sward, Low Key, Kaz, Soren Baker, J57, Erin and MadeMe, Mary Pryor, FWMJ, D, Sarah Mary Cunningham, Krista Schlueter, Toni and Haus of Swag, Jaime and WKiD Creations, Victoria Hernandez, MC Debbie D, Neil Martinez-Belkin, Marcus J. Moore, Thembisa Mshaka, Adelle Platon, Gary Suarez, Sean Kantrowitz, Eric Diep, Sara Marcus, Andres Tardio, Tai Saint Louis, William Ketchum III, Theola Borden, Ayanna Wilks, Nicole Hajjar, Dana Meyerson, Tracy G, Nadia Ali, Keyaira Boone, Jemeni, Rashaun Hall, Cassandra Spangler, Karissa Kindy, Jamal Jimoh, Gabby Rosenthal, Mecca, Roberta Magrini, Trent Clark, Tommy Cherian, Michelle McDevitt, Lydia Kanuga, Kierra Felton, Kristin Somin, Amanda Zimmerman, Chantz Brewer, Vanderslice, Laura (my bae-bor and London), Kiara, Nuri, Ginetta, Alissa, Caca (Lorena), Dita, Russ, Pri, Dunny (Lauren), Jasmine (My Jazzy), Jay, Sally, Huron, and all of my other friends and colleagues. Sorry if I’ve missed anyone.

  To Indie, my dogter, who can now bark all the words to every Aaliyah song. You still sound better than me.

  To everyone who reads this book, it’s like Aaliyah said: “You have to love what you do to want to do it every day.” Thank you for making that possible by reading.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Kathy Iandoli is a critically acclaimed journalist and author. Her work has appeared in Billboard, The Guardian, Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, Playboy, PAPER, Teen Vogue, VICE, The Village Voice, Cosmopolitan, and many other outlets. She has held editorial positions at top hip-hop/urban websites, including AllHipHop.com, HipHopDX.com, and BET.com. In 2019, she released the book God Save the Queens: The Essential History of Women in Hip-Hop through Dey Street Books / HarperCollins. Iandoli is an alumna-in-residence of Music Business at New York University and has appeared across the media, in television and on radio and panels discussing hip-hop and gender. She lives in the New York metropolitan area.

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  ALSO BY KATHY IANDOLI

  God Save the Queens: The Essential History of Women in Hip-Hop

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  BIBLIOGRAPHY

  VIDEO

  “Aaliyah & Jet Li—Romeo Must Die Interviews & BTS.” YouTube video, 4:31. “AaliyahPL.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AowVx4SikuA

  “Aaliyah and R. Kelly: Jewelry Connection (1994–1996).” YouTube video, 1:56. “AaliyahAndRKelly,” December 16, 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nc_A-ImG4E

  “Aaliyah and R. Kelly on Video Soul Gold [1994].” YouTube video, 5:59. “GMONEYHAWK.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGCHvpMco3A&t=262s

  “Aaliyah @ ‘Romeo Must Die’ Premiere 3-20-00.” YouTube video, 1:47. “Hollywood Archive.” April 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELAlU3NBg2E

  “Aaliyah at the Premiere of Romeo Must Die.” YouTube video, 1:57. “Aaliyah Haughton.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=965ZXGeRyjM

  “Aaliyah CBS Interview.” YouTube video, 10:28. “CrystalVisions21,” June 11, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XynzyQPiLnE

  “Aaliyah | Teen People’s 21 Hottest Stars under 21 (May 21, 1999).” YouTube video, 2:30. “Aaliyah’s Gems,” July 2, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZEEbq9cBNw

  “Aaliyah Interview on BET Show In Your Ear February 1995.” YouTube video, 7:49. “BeatleMay,” October 1, 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb6k4rl91to

  “Aaliyah—Making of ‘Journey to the Past’ 1997. [Aaliyah.pl].” YouTube video, 3:37. “AaliyahPL,” January 23, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKA3JzEFbns&feature=youtu.be

  “Aaliyah—Making the Video: ‘We Need a Resolution.’ ” YouTube video, 4:47. “Aaliyah,” September 14, 2008. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSlyL6m384Y

  “Aaliyah MTV Stripped Interview.” YouTube video, 17:57. “James Bishop,” August 25, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=HeoF3a5GPzY

  “Aal
iyah MTV Tribute (feat. Timbaland and Puffy).” YouTube video, 9:17. “Kenneth Antonsen.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fjruAcR8Jo

  “Aaliyah on the Set of Queen of the Damned.” YouTube video, 8:56. “TeamAaliyah79.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vt08QzYDwK4

  “Aaliyah: One in a Million (BET Special) Pt. 1.” YouTube video, 4:18. “Anthony22,” August 17, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR6PWlb6_VE

  “Aaliyah: One in a Million (BET Special). Pt. 3.” YouTube video, 7:33. “Anthony22,” August 17, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR6PWIbS_VE

  “Aaliyah: One in a Million (BET Special) Pt. 4.” YouTube video, 8:34. “Anthony22,” August 17, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Z617qryo2E

  “Aaliyah, One in a Million (BET Special) Pt. 5.” YouTube video, 1:02. “Anthony22,” August 17, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?vdafaseQ229

  “Aaliyah One in a Million Part 2.” YouTube video, 3:01. “AaliyahFans4ever,” August 26, 2011. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ghe5SzSMShY

  “Aaliyah—‘Rock the Boat’ BET Access Granted.” YouTube video, 21:50. “AaliyahPL.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhEH2WBX-bI

  “Aaliyah—CBS Interview.” YouTube video, 4:58. “CrystalVisions21.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=XynzyQPiLnE

  “Aaliyah—Romeo Must Die Junket Interview.” YouTube video, 3:53. “Marilyn King,” November 1, 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQp3FzAHB-U

  “Aaliyah Teen People 21 Interview.” YouTube video, 2:14. “MusicLatte,” June 21, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vpy9zGyqEpM&feature=youtu.be

  “Aaliyah Tribute.” YouTube video, 5:24. “HottDame36,” September 26, 2008. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jDgXogoQc0

  “Aaliyah—Video Music Box Interview 1995.” YouTube video, 11:44. “AaliyahPL,” January 26, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kdcHWOQuS4

  “Aaliyah’s Interview after the 2000 VMAs.” YouTube video, 1:19. “OnTheTLCTip,” August 22, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=Bc4FdPOng5g

  “Aaliyah’s Last Ever Radio Interview in August 2001.” YouTube video, 20:00. “The Hip-Hop Historian,” September 2, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMyOiw3cPuQ

  “Aaliyah’s Mother Finally Reveals the Truth about Aaliyah’s Relationship with R. Kelly.” YouTube video, 3:14. January 3, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q7Ak2dI0S4

  “ ‘Cannon’s Class’ ” ft. Dame Dash.” YouTube video, 1:11:14. “Nick Cannon,” January 10, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8iV4ZaSFjE&t=3200s

  “Damon Dash on Aaliyah’s Untimely Death.” YouTube video, 1:32. “The Real Daytime,” April 19, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auJCO_wQYgc

  “Dame Dash Opens Up about Losing Aaliyah | Family Therapy with Dr. Jenn.” YouTube video, 2:04. “VH1,” April 13, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVT5biOy_d4

  “Damon Dash: When Jay Worked with R. Kelly… (Aaliyah’s Experience).” YouTube video, 34:59. “Hip Hop Motivation,” January 5, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0E34YAJnrME

  “Drake Reflects: ‘Aaliyah Had the Biggest Influence on My Music.’ ” YouTube video, 3:44. “SoulCulture,” January 16, 2011. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuZYQ5lg5Ck&feature=youtu.be

  “Farrakhan Warned R. Kelly about His Former Manager Barry Hankerson.” YouTube video, 18:13. “Prima Donna,” October 23, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRznW1jr1mQ

  “Full Aaliyah Interview! - *Rare* (1997).” YouTube video, 3:34. “AaliyahCentral,” August 31, 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSE4bmzEZ1o

  “Ginuwine Opens about Aaliyah’s Passing, Making of ‘Pony,’ TGT + More.” YouTube video, 1:06:37. “Premier Live TV,” June 30, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2q2Ysaz4Qtg

  “Gladys Knight Interview (2004).” YouTube video, 3:50. “Largo3point0.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msmBoK87yUk

  “How Hip-Hop Celebrates Aaliyah with Beats, Rhymes & References | Genius News.” YouTube video, 4:51. “Genius,” August 23, 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=3TB9wZ38QZA

  “Inside of Aaliyah’s Manhattan Condo.” YouTube video, 3:20. “Tony Turner,” June 2, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90-kEGInJHo

  “Jazze Pha Speaks on Producing for Aaliyah & Ciara.” YouTube video, 9:05. “MyNameIsMyName.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_EpOXpaImw

  “Jet Li Talks Mulan & Remembers Aaliyah Romeo Must Die Co-star.” YouTube video, 5:20. “Sade Spence.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m-6TSiQzj4

  “Lisa Van Allen on R. Kelly, Aaliyah, Aaliyah’s Mother, Arrests, Trial (Full Interview).” YouTube video, 1:09:27. “DJ Vlad,” March 20, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COanAq2iUF4

  “Losing Aaliyah Part 1. Avi.” YouTube video, 9:45. “Via_Purifco,” June 12, 2010. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_092AXPIQY8

  “Losing Aaliyah Part 2. Avi.” YouTube video, 8:04. “Via_Purifco,” June 12, 2010. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSipfcEYxYs&t=301s

  “Missy Elliot and Timbaland on Drake & Aaliyah Album.” YouTube video, 9:07. “Hot 97,” September 18, 2012. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgW8Bmg1Buw&t=3s

  “MTV Europe Select—Aaliyah Interview, 2000, Romeo Must Die.” YouTube video, 8:27. “Olevish.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVYUOD0JpFE

  “ ‘Queen of the Damned’ Crew Interviews (NY Times).” YouTube video, 10:39. “AaliyahPL.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCpADdC-u_M

  “R. Kelly ‘Do You Like Teenage Girls?’ Interview.” YouTube video, 4:19. “US Now,” January 4, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MX1qybUYFjg

  “RARE: Aaliyah in Annie Rehearsals (1988).” YouTube video, 2:49. “Baby Girl.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7yHKc02hj0

  “RCMS with Wanda Smith Interview Cousin of Aaliyah, The.” YouTube video, 12:26. June 24, 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=379aa7q7MyY

  “Star Search—Katrina vs. Aaliyah.” YouTube video, 5:54. “Katrina Woolverton,” October 14, 2011. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Dx_5SLhIvM

  “Surprising Things We Learned about Aaliyah after Her Death.” YouTube video, 5:13. “Nicki Swift,” January 29, 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wza0rmJQNNU

  “Throwback News: Aaliyah Marries R. Kelly (1994).” YouTube video, 0:32. “KlassicThrowbackTV,” July 17, 2013. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7mZv2vHx58

  “Timbaland Making Beats in the Studio!” YouTube video, 4:33. “Mc Cabe,” December 14, 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ufpCF3OKsU&t=130s

  “What the End of Aaliyah’s Life Was Really Like.” YouTube video, 11:01. “Grunge,” August 15, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=2FzugVWR288

  RECORDING

  Aaliyah: Open-Ended Interview. Jive Records, 1994. Compact disc.

  FILM

  Bellis, Nigel, and Astral Finnie. Surviving R. Kelly. Aired on Lifetime. Kreativ Inc. Bunim/Murray Productions, 2019.

  Bellis, Nigel, and Astral Finnie. Surviving R. Kelly Part II: The Reckoning. Aired on Lifetime. Kreativ Inc. Bunim/Murray Productions, 2020.

  BOOKS

  Brackett, Nathan, and Christian Hoard (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. New York: Fireside Books, 2004.

  DeRogatis, Jim. Soulless: The Case Against R. Kelly. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 2019.

  Farley, Christopher John. Aaliyah: More than a Woman. New York: MTV Books, 2002.

  Footman, Tim. Aaliyah. Medford, NJ: Plexus, 2003.

  Iandoli, Kathy. God Save the Queens: The Essential History of Women in Hip-Hop. New York: Dey Street Books, 2019.

  Smith, Demetrius. The Man Behind the Man: Looking from the Inside Out. Bloomington, IN: Xlibris, 2011.

  Timbaland and Veronica Chambers. The Emperor of Sound: A Memoir. New York: Amistad, 2016.

  VIBE Magazine. Hip-Hop Divas. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2001.

  Warner, Jennifer. Aaliyah: A Biography. BookCaps Study Guides, 2014.

  DIGITAL AND PRINT ARTICLES

  “Aaliyah: Angel So Fly.” TheF
ADER.com, August 25, 2011: https://www.thefader.com/2011/08/25/aaliyah-angel-so-fly-2

  “Aaliyah Concert Setlists & Tour Dates.” Setlist.fm, n.d.: https://www.setlist.fm/setlists/aaliyah-2bd69c16.html

  “Aaliyah Dana Haughton—Facts.” Its_All_About_Howie.Tripod.com, n.d.: http://its_all_bout_howie.tripod.com/aaliyah/id1.html

  “Aaliyah Hits Find Home with Apple Music—Illegally.” JetMag.com, January 12, 2017: https://www.jetmag.com/entertainment/aaliyah-compilation-apple-music

  “Aaliyah Likes the Way Virgin Puts Out.” HitsDailyDouble.com, May 5, 2000: https://hitsdailydouble.com/news&id=273432&title+AALIYAH-LIKES-THE-WAY-VIRGIN-PUTS-OUT

  “Aaliyah Often Had Her Left Eye Covered, under the Advice of Her Mother.” CapitalXtra.com, n.d.: https://www.capitalxtra.com/features/lists/aaliyah-facts/no-family-on-rock-the-boat-video-shoot

  “Aaliyah Plane Was Overloaded by Hundreds of Pounds.” CNN.com, August 31, 2001: https://edition.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/americas/08/30/aaliyah.crash

  “Aaliyah, R. Kelly Named in Copyright Lawsuit.” MTV.com, May 7, 1997: http://www.mtv.com/news/1424665/aaliyah-r-kelly-named-in-copyright-lawsuit

  “Aaliyah, Usher & Others for Tommy Hilfiger.” LipstickAlley.com, April 20, 2014: https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/aaliyah-usher-others-for-tommy-hilfiger.690691

  “Aaliyah’s Mom Is Not Here for ‘Surviving R. Kelly’ Docuseries by @robinrazzi.” Whur.com, January 3, 2019: https://whur.com/entertainment/whats-the-tea-wrazzi/aaliyahs-mom-speaks-out-against-surviving-r-kelly-docuseries

  ABC News. “Aaliyah Stars in ‘Queen of the Damned.’ ” ABCNews.com, February 22, 2002: https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=101275&page=1

  Alexander, Brenda. “Aaliyah’s Brother Shares Behind-the-Scenes Video of Her Tommy Hilfiger Campaign.” Cheatsheet.com, June 30, 2020: https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/aaliyahs-brother-shares-behind-the-scenes-video-of-her-tommy-hilfiger-campaign.html

 

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