Baby Girl

by Kathy Iandoli

  You came into my musical existence when I was 11 years old, a time when I was so shy, quiet, and only confident about school. In you, I saw a role model to help me find my way, and you validated some of my traits. You modeled calm, quiet confidence for me at a time when I needed it most. And in my way, I adopted you as my big sister. Now that I’m an adult, I think of the memories you didn’t get to make in your own life. Would you have done more movies? Or perhaps launch a MAC collection yourself, designed with your personal touch? What would have been? Decades later, your music sounds as current (and dare I say, even better) as music on the radio today. Babies are still named after you, and teens wear T-shirts with your likeness all the time. I picture you growing as timeless as one of your idols, Sade. In 22 years, you showed us a full, warm, kind, beautiful life well-lived. And I carry your memory with me as long as I am on this earth.

  With all the love in my heart to our little purple star,

  Jada Gomez

  Dear Aaliyah,

  Words could never begin to describe the impact you’ve had on my life. Not just as a girl growing up, but as a performer. What I’ve taken away from you is the constant need to stay true to myself and my heart’s happiness. Your effortless and unapologetic authenticity continues to light the way in the lives of artists of all forms. One in a Million was the first album I ever owned as a young and heartbroken girl. Still trying to make sense of my parents’ divorce and getting used to a new normal, your voice and music was my constant escape. It essentially sparked my desire to express myself as an artist on stage.

  I choke back tears as I write this because it’s still difficult to accept that this ever-changing world of the arts moved forward without such a guiding bright star. We never felt entirely worthy of your genius, but we sure were ready for it, Baby Girl. So up with the greats you are, where your untouched legacy continues to live on in the hearts of us all… How fortunate we all were to live in your radiating era of brilliance, style and otherworldly energy. Aaliyah, I will forever be grateful to you… For Everything.

  Love you Li-Li,

  Margarita N.

  Dear Aaliyah,

  Your music is timeless

  Your beauty is ethereal

  Your humility is warm and inviting

  Your style unparalleled

  “Street but sweet” as you would call it

  Mixing the gritty and rawness from hip-hop with that beautiful soul sweetness from R&B

  Truly making you One in a Million

  Your talent remarkable

  Recreating the face of hip hop and R&B

  Your soft airy angelic voice with jazzy undertones layered over futuristic beats

  I feel like I’ve known you for eternity

  Having a spiritual and emotional connection to you

  Like you’re somewhat of a guardian angel

  I look to you for reassurance and advice

  You and your music are one thing I know I can count on to make me feel better no matter what

  It pains me to know that you’re not here

  That I never got to see your face

  Or witness your stunning beauty and charm

  I’ll never get to hear you laugh I’ll never get to see you smile

  I’ll never be able to tell you how much I love your music and thank you for truly being yourself

  It’s hard to believe that you actually once graced this earth

  Because you truly were an angelic individual

  I know you’re up there with God looking down at all of your fans and still appreciating us for supporting you

  Although you’re gone I still feel your presence through your music

  I know that I can count on you

  And that if I ever fail at something all I need to do is dust myself off and try again.

  J. R., Age 16

  Battle Creek, MI

  Dear Aaliyah,

  I was 11 years old when I discovered who you were. I remember seeing your music video, “Are You That Somebody?” and I instantly loved you. I was simply captivated by your talent from dancing and singing. The two things I have always dreamed of becoming and you embodied the very essence of who I wanted to be. I asked my mom to buy me the Doctor Dolittle soundtrack and she also bought me a boombox. I carried that boombox with me everywhere I went that Summer replaying your song over and over again. I studied your music video and copied your moves as best as I could. Fast forward, you got into acting and you played a role of a woman who fell in love with Jet Li. Jet Li is of Asian descent and someone who looked like me was on the big screen and played a role with someone I looked up to. I just felt so confident that one day I could also cross paths with you. It truly broke my heart when I found out that you died… how you died. You had so much more to give and so much more to do. I even made Aaliyah tribute mixtapes. You are definitely one of my inspirations, how I fell into music and turned it into a career. Thank you for that. I love you and miss you. If you are seeing this or hearing this, I hope you are proud of me.

  -CYD

  Aaliyah was truly “one in a million”—a huge talent, a constant innovator, a true beauty, an icon. But her biggest impact to me was being like a big sister to me. Although Aaliyah will never know, she held my hand during many struggles, big and small.

  She made dressing like a tomboy acceptable, sexy even. She was effortlessly cool and stylish. Sure, she wore designers sometimes, but more often than not she wore brands the everyday girl could cop. The Aaliyah look was unique, but accessible.

  Baby Girl, like me, was petite. I was incredibly insecure, but Aaliyah was the picture of confidence and she helped me to accept the body I was gifted. Our bond went deeper than that though. Aaliyah wasn’t the biggest talker, but she was a calculated speaker who I could’ve sworn left messages just for me.

  In early August 2001, Canada’s music channel, MuchMusic, announced Aaliyah was going to host one of the final episodes of the iconic urban music show “Da Mix” in September. I was going to have the opportunity to finally meet my hero, my “big sister.” I was prepared to cut school for the first time ever just to line up and be sure to get a good spot and hopefully have the chance to speak with her. I still mourn that lost opportunity. I mourn the loss of promise and opportunities she had laid out in front of her. It felt like my “secret find” was finally going to cross over. But more often I celebrate her accomplishments, her perseverance and persistence, her big heart and her eternal talent. She accomplished her dreams. And although she’s an iconic public figure, I’ll cherish the intimate memories she left me with.

  Carol Santos

  Baby Girl’s “sister” in Toronto, Canada

  When “Back & Forth” came out, I could tell that an infatuation with Aaliyah was imminent. I was immediately entranced with her dance moves, her flawless style, her angelic voice and of course, her often imitated never duplicated swagger. As crazy as it sounds, I felt like I knew her intimately, even though she just was a 2D image on a magazine page or on television. As a tom boy myself, she empowered me to always stay true to myself and she taught me that “Tommy Boy Fly” (thank you Rapsody!) meant I could have a little tom boy style, but I could remain feminine and sexy by adding a little Aaliyah flare. My sister and I spent weeks trying to learn the choreography to “Are you that Somebody?”, realizing rather quickly that we were not up to par with her moves! She was the ultimate embodiment of cool, and stayed so humble throughout her success and her music always brought me joy and comfort. Her passing was devastating, especially so soon after the release of Aaliyah, an album which exhibited a growth in not only her maturity as a person, but her talent and breadth as an artist. It seemed so unreal, hearing that news on the radio while working my summer job—my heart sunk and I thought endearingly of her life as an artist, icon and someone who changed how I live every day. I will always remember her, will honor her goddess energy as often as I can, and will always be thankful and helpful for the imprint she has left on my life and her fan base around
the world.

  Forever in my heart, Baby Girl.

  Maggie S, 38

  Brooklyn NY

  Dear Aaliyah,

  Not a day goes by that I don’t think of your kind spirit every day. Ever since I listened to your song “Try Again” on the radio, I was always curious asking myself, “Who is this woman with the most beautiful, timeless, angelic, calming voice my ears had ever heard?” Not knowing you were already gone at the time, your voice did stay in my mind for the longest. It wasn’t until I heard you again from the song “Where Could He Be?” that caught my attention even more so to speak. Hearing your voice and hearing that mysterious vibe really not only gave me chills, but inspired me to do the same. I never thought I learned so much from you. Not just your singing, but your personality in general. From your fashion sense to your kindness and hard work and dedication all around. Your tomboy street style has really transcended the next generation. Looking at your style, evolution was even more fascinating, learning that you wore custom made or recycle version of regular t-shirts to beautiful fashion staple blouses around 2000—especially hearing the stories from your great friends like Kidada Jones and your stylist Derek Lee on how your style came to be. But one thing I love about you more is that how confident you are with everything coming in your way, good or bad. Even if you fall, you came back up. You absolutely competed with yourself to be the best. That’s what inspired me the most about you. And I’m grateful to be influenced by you. Even though I never got a chance to meet you, but I will forever remember you as an artist, icon, and a kind-hearted person. And always, I will talk about you to the next generation like me.

  We love you and miss you BabyGirl.

  Love, Arce

  Age 18

  California, USA

  Dearest Aaliyah,

  Since the first time I saw you in “Back & Forth” music video, I got a connection right away with your energy, and your incredible voice. I identified with your style, and I loved the way you wear bandanas, as I used to wear. You inspired me, not just in your style, but also your own way, just for being who you are. You’re so kind and wonderful with everybody. Not satisfied to see just one music video and hear one song, I searched for all your discography and see all the interviews, trying collect your CDs, read magazines about you. However, I know that never will be enough to really know you for real. You are definitely one in a million, that’s why I made this letter. It isn’t four pages, but is enough to express how much I love you. As fans, we will never let your legacy be forgotten. You was on earth. Everything that you strive for, and I’m extremely proud for who you were, our everlasting BabyGirl.

  Maria Estela

  Age 19

  Brazil

  Aaliyah is part of my life from a real long time. I remember discovering the “Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number” single which was part of a compilation album that my father had bought. I was 7 and I never forgot this song. Few years later when I was a teen, I really discovered the whole talented artist Aaliyah was but it was a too short time before Aaliyah’s sudden death. My passion for her made me improve my English, I wanted to understand everything she sings and I wanted to understand every interview I could find. So I started translating her songs and I shared my passion with her French fanbase. Thanks to Aaliyah I learnt English, I’ve never been abroad during my studies but my English became good enough to teach it. I can’t really explain everything she represents to me, but anyone knows me knows that Aaliyah is a huge part of my life. My last tribute to her was to dance on her music for the opening of my wedding ball and I’m glad that thanks to that, people could still discover her music and share my passion for her. Aaliyah will never be forgotten, and I hope to have a daughter one day to name her after the incredible woman Aaliyah was.

  Farah Benrehab

  Age 32

  Paris, France

  Dear Aaliyah,

  From the moment 5-year-old me saw you walking on walls with Jet Li, I knew you were the coolest girl in the world! In that moment, that was it—I wanted to be just like you when I grew up. Aaliyah, you have remained a constant in my life. There through it all: joy, grief, graduations and relationships. At 15, the Red album got me through a painful loss, it was one of the first things I found real joy and life in when everything around me felt grey.

  Today, 25-year-old me still looks up to you. Your authenticity, sunny disposition, and the way you carried yourself still inspire me. From you, I have learned the importance of staying true to myself, to compete only with myself, and remain graceful through the ups and downs. These are the greatest gifts of all. Thank you for meaning so much to so many. Love and miss you, always.

  Ikra, 25

  London, UK

  I started listening to Aaliyah not so long ago, so I’m not one “of the old” fans. But in my opinion, I could definitely be classified into the club of Aaliyah’s real fans. Aaliyah was truly an angel on earth. She was incredibly pretty, funny and kind. Not to mention that she was extremely classy. She didn’t need to show much to be looked at. Even when she was fully dressed, she could have all eyes on her ’cause she had that rare beauty. Aaliyah was the person that was loved by all of the people that were surrounded by her and nobody had to say something negative about her.

  These are only some of the main features of her personality, that made me such a big fan, besides her amazing talent in music. Aaliyah’s voice was so angelic. It was smooth and peaceful, but at the same time it was strong and was well controlled by her. Aaliyah had the kind of voice that you are able to listen to for hours and not get tired of, or get used to and that is something that you can rarely find in a singer. Not even one of her songs is tedious and all of them give you peace. These were only a little information for people that do not know much about her, but would love to get to know her a little bit more, just like I did. Aaliyah, if I could tell you one thing that would be that I truly love you. I love your character, your strength, your voice, your songs and your humor. I wish with all of my heart that you would still be here to bless us with your talent and to see how much we the fans and all of the people that were close to you, love you. I wish that you could be here to enjoy life and its beauty. I wish that you could be here to see what an impact you have to generations to this day, about two decades later. I want to be sure, as a fan, that I will keep your legacy alive and that you and your incredible talent, will never be forgotten. I miss you and I hope that you have found serenity.

  With eternal love,

  Angeliki Mavra, Age 20

  Greece

  Aaliyah, I wish I had the possibility to be alive around the same time you were rocking the whole world. I can’t properly express how you affected and changed my life. I was born two years after your death, but eventually, in my childhood, I got familiar and I fell in love with your distinctive, angelical and precious voice, alongside with your brilliant work. And this passion just grew stronger, you helped me throughout my teenage years, high school, and now as I’m reaching adulthood, my love for you couldn’t be more powerful. Your legacy won’t ever be forgotten, and your art will forever transcend generations. Thank you for everything. Keep resting in paradise, Baby Girl.

  Reydnée Souza

  17 years old

  Brazil

  Dear Aaliyah,

  I still have trouble accepting the fact that you’re gone at 31, so I just won’t. I struggled on whether to submit this or not because my feelings about you I hold dear to my heart and anyone who knows me knows this. But as I sit and reflect on the last 19 years without you, I think it’s only right that the world knows how I feel. I know God doesn’t make any mistakes, so even questioning why seems wrong, so I won’t… I just know that you should be here… Your style your street but sweet smooth angelic voice your mysterious persona such a rare soul that is much needed in today’s time…

  I remember getting pregnant at 15 and a classmate asking how’s Aaliyah and I’m like huh and they’re like your baby and I’m like oh I might name her
that and them being completely flabbergasted that I didn’t… And I couldn’t, Aaliyah, no one could ever live up to your name, the soul, the woman behind that… I remember the group home staff taking me to Ferncliff to see you at 14 twice, risking her job because she knew how much you meant to me… You were my heart… I remember the fire department telling the staff at Little Flower Children’s Services it was a fire hazard having your pics wallpapered on my wall and them allowing me to keep them on until I left… Aaliyah, I still have your name etched on my leg that I did at 11. My house embodies, you my daughter sends me news clippings and people all over (even your friends) now follow me because they know they feel the genuine love I’ve always have, but I know no one loves you more than Mama Diane, so I’m content with being called the special one (the nickname Mama D gave a few of us, including rednyc).

  Whenever I have a bad day, your song comes on so I know that’s your own little way of assuring me everything will be ok… Until we meet again sweet LiLi… Some people come into our lives some people go… Some stay for a while and leave footprints on our hearts and we are never the same.

  Love Always, Your Special One,

  Lesley Lyons

  Age 31

  Brooklyn, NY

  Dear Aaliyah,

  Almost two years ago I discovered you by way of a Chris Brown song “Don’t Think They Know.” When I heard your voice, I was mesmerized. At the time, I didn’t know you had passed, so I found your other music on YouTube and I was blown away. Soon after, I found out you had passed almost 17 years ago. This made me want to do some research into what you were like, what was your character, who did you work with, and why you died. Doing some digging, I’ve listened and watched your interviews and noticing what a sweet humble spirit you were.

  On August 25th, 2001 at 6:50 pm the world lost a star, who was gonna shine even brighter than you already were. I noticed over the 2 years I’ve known about you we have some things in common. Like our love for Egypt, music and art. We were so robbed Aaliyah, I wish I could just go back in time and tell you not to get on that plane. You like so many others have inspired my love and appreciation for music and art. And all I want to say is Thank You, AALIYAH.