Hot 21 Radio

In celebration of her full discography finally available on streaming platforms

Two decades after her untimely and tragic demise, Aaliyah continues to shape generations of artists from all around the world: her music and style embedded in pop culture. Despite only releasing three studio albums in her relatively short career, shes left a timeless and enduring legacyher work spans the realms of soul, hip hop, and R&B.For the longest time, younger listeners can only access Aaliyahs 1994 debut, (the awfully titled) Age Aint Nothing But A Number, which was marred by controversy due to the projects association and Aaliyah's illegal marriage withR.Kelly.After years of bitter disputes between Aaliyahs estate and her old label, Blackground Records, her 1996 sophomore album One In A Million finally arrived on streaming platforms last month. Last Friday (September 10), her critically acclaimed final album, LIYH, also became available.https://twitter.com/Spotify/status/1436179310625411079To celebrate the GRAMMY-nominated R&B icons music, weve listed down six companion songs to enjoy the music of Aaliyah.H.E.R. Couldve Been ft. Bryson TillerH.E.R.s slow-burn single Couldve Been featuring Bryson Tiller exhumes the long-gone possibilities of a relationship that never was. The award-winning singer-songwriter, whose mother is Filipino, recalls Aaliyahs willingness to be vulnerable. In a song association challenge, H.E.R. sings a part of Try Again, which she cites as one of her favorite songs.Priya Ragu Leaf HighLeaf High, the opening track to Tamil-Swiss musician Priya Ragus debut mixtape, damnshetamil, is a sensual neo-soul cut (Those guitar layers! Lilting vocals!) reminiscent of Aaliyahs more velvety tracks.June Marieezy & FKJ Amsterdam Live SessionFilipina-American musician June Marieezy has made a career making effortlessly smooth jazz-tinged neo-soul, most notably after she rechristened herself as the unpronounceable ((( O ))), collaborating with her husband and long-time collaborator, French producer, FKJ. The twos chemistry is palpable in this impromptu jam simply titled Amsterdam Live Session. Aaliyah herself was known for fearlessly exploring beyond the boundaries of R&B, with critics describing her latter work as experimental.Snoh Aalegra I Want You AroundLike Aaliyah, Snoh Aalegra also considers the inimitable Sade as a profound inspiration. Snoh Aalegras 2019 record, Ugh, those feels again, center on intimacyand the inhibition and surrender that go with it. The Swedish-Persian artists standout cut, I Want You Around, finally owns up to its vexing desire to take things to the next level.Tsunari No MoreOn 2020 track, No More, Thai-Trinidadian singer Tsunari stands her ground / (I said no / I wont take you anymore). Short and direct, Tsunaris impassioned rejection is in many ways refreshing: a difficult but often necessary choice. Go do you, girl.Jess Connelly Process ft. AwichStraight out of 90s R&B playbook, Process is a delightful homage to Aaliyah, intentional or not. With an assist from fiery Japanese hip hop star Awich herself, Filipina singer-songwriter Jess Connelly drives home the nexus of R&B, soul, and hip hop that Aaliyah embodied in her career.Stream LIYH below: Read more