At Their Best: 7 Dope Artists Continuing What Aaliyah Started
Source: Jeffrey Mayer / Getty
Today marks Aaliyah‘s 39th birthday and if she were still alive, we can only imagine how she would’ve looked at today’s current artists.
Would she see her influence? Would she be hopping on other people’s tracks?
Surely the smooth vocalist would have been pushing music forward herself. Aaliyah was more than sunshades and crop tops. She was a visionary and her impact is continually felt.
Swipe through to check out artists who are building on Aaliyah’s legacy via sound, style, or just overall fierceness.
At Their Best: 7 Dope Artists Continuing What Aaliyah Started was originally published on globalgrind.com
Kelela
Source: Getty Images / Getty
With the help of Missy Elliott and Timbaland, Aaliyah took R&B to the future at a time when heavy samples and typical rap beats dominated the airwaves. Kelela continues Aaliyah’s legacy of thinking forward with her atmospheric songs and spacious beats. The R&B princess can definitely be felt in Kelela’s track “Frontline.”
At Their Best: 7 Dope Artists Continuing What Aaliyah Started was originally published on globalgrind.com
Syd
Source: Graham Denholm / Getty
Syd is another artist whose music has traces of Aaliyah’s sound. She mixes sexy jams with heavy beats, making for the perfect combination. Listen to “Know” and try not to body roll. We dare you.
At Their Best: 7 Dope Artists Continuing What Aaliyah Started was originally published on globalgrind.com
Kehlani
Source: Rick Kern / Getty
Whether through her vocals, her style or her overall demeanor, Kehlani keeps things cool and smooth just like Aaliyah. A sexy night with bae could definitely be brought to the next level with songs like “Distraction.”
At Their Best: 7 Dope Artists Continuing What Aaliyah Started was originally published on globalgrind.com
Bryson Tiller
Source: Tim Mosenfelder / Getty
Most people know Bryson Tiller as the leader behind trap soul. The combination of such a percussive genre with R&B is something Aaliyah definitely could have been on board with. Bryson is even dipping into her “Rock the Boat” territory with his release “Run Me Dry.”
At Their Best: 7 Dope Artists Continuing What Aaliyah Started was originally published on globalgrind.com
Tinashe
Source: MARK RALSTON / Getty
Tinashe is always pushing the boundaries of R&B with her electronic and glitchy influences. Add in some sexy choreography and you have an artist surely inspired by Aaliyah.
At Their Best: 7 Dope Artists Continuing What Aaliyah Started was originally published on globalgrind.com
H.E.R.
Source: Tim Mosenfelder / Getty
Aaliyah will definitely put you in an emotional space with songs like “I Care 4 U.” H.E.R. continues the moody feels with songs like “Avenue.” Blast this on a late night drive and you’ll be diving deep into your emotions.
At Their Best: 7 Dope Artists Continuing What Aaliyah Started was originally published on globalgrind.com
Drake
Source: WENN.com / WENN
There’s no way you can be one of Aaliyah’s biggest fans and not be influenced by her. Drake loves the princess of R&B so much, he even got a tattoo of her.
Don’t act like Drake’s somber music didn’t inspire a generation of artists. A lot of his sounds can be credited to Aaliyah and it continues to show in his music.
At Their Best: 7 Dope Artists Continuing What Aaliyah Started was originally published on globalgrind.com
