Aaliyah.Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Aaliyah’s 1996 albumOne in a Millionis officially available to stream onSpotifyafter years of back and forth.
The streaming debut of her second studio album comes just days ahead of the 20th anniversary of her death on Aug. 25. She was just 22 when she was killed in a plane crash.
Blackground Records 2.0 and music distribution company Empire have a joint deal and will be making more of Aaliyah’s albums available to streaming services, including her self-titledAaliyah,I Care 4 U,Ultimate Aaliyahand theRomeo Must Diesoundtrack, through October.
The release ofOne in a Millionon Spotify followsa decades-long battlebetween the late singer’s estate and her former manager and uncle, Barry Hankerson, over Aaliyah’s discography.
Twitter also celebrated the release of Aaliyah’s album with custom Aaliyah emojis with specific hashtags, including #AaliyahIsHere and #Aaliyah.
Thingsbecame heated earlier this monthwhen Hankerson’s Blackground Records 2.0 announced a partnership with Empire to release songs from the R&B singer’s catalog.
Aaliyah.Dave Allocca/DMI/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty
“It has been a long time since the fans could enjoy Aaliyah and other artists on our catalog, and there has been a lot of changes in the music business since we took the music off the market,” Hankerson toldBillboardat the time. “We wanted to be sure to be with the right people, the right executives, and to give ourselves the right time to do the different things. So when you add all that up, it was a couple of years before we could even really consider putting the music out.”
Aaliyah’s estate released a statement slamming the singer’s former label.
“Protecting Aaliyah’s legacy is, and will always be, our focus. For 20 years we have battled behind the scenes, enduring shadowy tactics of deception with unauthorized projects targeted to tarnish,” the estate wrote in a statement on Aug. 4. “We have always been confused as to why there is such a tenacity in causing more pain alongside what we already have to cope with for the rest of our lives.”
The estate ended its statement writing that it desired “closure and a modicum of peace” as they focused on the Aaliyah Memorial Fund and “other creative projects that embody Aaliyah’s true essence, which is to inspire strength and positivity for people of all creeds, races and cultures around the world.”
“For almost 20 years, Blackground has failed to account to the Estate with any regularity in accordance with her recording contracts. In addition, the Estate was not made aware of the impending release of the catalog until after the deal was complete and plans were in place,” the statement continued. “The Estate has demanded that Blackground provide a full account of its past earnings, and full disclosure of the terms of its new deal to distribute Aaliyah’s long embargoed music.”
Eight months earlier, Aaliyah’s estate hadshared an update about their efforts to bring her musicto streaming services.
“We hear you and we see you. While we share your sentiments and desire to have Aaliyah’s music released, we must acknowledge that these matters are not within our control and, unfortunately, take time,“the statement began. “Our inability to share Aaliyah’s music and artistry with the world has been as difficult for us as it has been for all of you. Our priority has always been and will continue to be Aaliyah’s music.”
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“In the meantime, however, we are working diligently to protect what is in our control — Aaliyah’s brand, legacy, and intellectual property,” the statement continued. “In doing so, we will continue to release unique and exciting projects to keep Aaliyah’s legacy and light shining.”
source: people.com
