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Baby girl : better known as Aaliyah
2021
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Trade Reviews
Library Journal Review
Iandoli (God Save the Queens) writes a heartfelt love letter to Aaliyah (1979--2001) in time for the 20th anniversary of the singer's death. The engaging narrative follows the life of Aaliyah Dana Haughton, starting with her birth in Brooklyn and childhood in Detroit, where her music career was launched by her uncle, record producer Barry Hankerson. Drawing on interviews and primary sources, Iandoli sensitively details how Aaliyah was abused by R. Kelly, her former mentor and producer of her 1994 debut album, Age Ain't Nothing but a Number. The well-written, fast-paced chapters come alive when recounting Aaliyah's efforts to find producers for her second album, One in a Million (1996), which led to influential collaborations with Missy Elliott and Timbaland. Iandoli covers the unexpected success of Aaliyah's song "Are You That Somebody?," her iconic partnership with Tommy Hilfiger, her move into acting, and her self-titled third and final album, which was released in 2001. The author also carefully traces the last day of Aaliyah's life, when she and members of her crew died in a plane crash in the Bahamas. VERDICT Combining the passion of a longtime admirer with the investigative skills of a journalist, Iandoli pays homage to Aaliyah with a work that will delight fans.--Stephanie Sendaula, Library Journal
Publishers Weekly Review
The short yet remarkable life of "R&B princess" Aaliyah is paid a moving tribute in this dazzling biography from journalist Iandoli (God Save the Queens). "Unlike other tragic deaths of young stars," she writes, "we haven't been given a clear, linear story about who Aaliyah was... and why she was so special." Weaving together exclusive interviews and in-depth research, Iandoli succeeds in vividly capturing the artist whose work became a "fantastical silhouette that hangs over music." Raised in Detroit, Aaliyah performed in concerts with her "Auntie," singer Gladys Knight, before overcoming scandal and a sham marriage with musician R. Kelly, who produced her Double-Platinum album Age Ain't Nothing but a Number in 1994. Though she was reluctant to include Kelly, Iandoli explains that disregarding him would rob Aaliyah of "another title she so greatly deserved: 'survivor.' " After "elevat the entire genre" with her "airy vocals" alongside Timbaland and Missy Elliott on her second album, One in a Million, Aaliyah continued to impact pop culture, serving as a muse to designer Tommy Hilfiger, costarring in the 2000 film Romeo Must Die, and releasing her critically acclaimed third album, Aaliyah, all before dying in a plane crash at 22. Still, a decade later, Iandoli writes how fans "new and old... are keeping her legacy alive." In highlighting her influential career, this promises to do the same. (Aug.)
Booklist Review
Iandoli (God Save the Queens, 2019) is not only a journalist and author, but also a true Aaliyah fan, as she reveals in this in-depth journey through the life and career of a magnetic artist and icon. Like Aaliyah's music, which didn't fall too far into any trend and appealed to a broad audience, this book is written for all readers: fans will cherish it, and those who haven't heard of Aaliyah will be fans by the end of it. Iandoli chronicles Aaliyah's incredible contributions to the music, fashion, and film industries, but doesn't shy away from covering the sexual abuse she experienced or the troubling circumstances surrounding her death. She also includes letters from fans that serve as an uplifting, gorgeous tribute. Aaliyah is remembered as an ethereal presence taken too soon and is often referred to as an angel, "but it's time to pay homage to the beautiful Black woman who kept her inner strength tucked away and persevered through an unforgiving music industry in the name of her love of her craft."
Kirkus Review
A posthumous biography of a young musical powerhouse. Aaliyah's rapid ascension in the contemporary R & B ranks ended tragically at age 22 when an overloaded Cessna crash-landed in the Bahamas in 2001. Music journalist Iandoli, a professor-in-residence of music business at NYU, culls together archival material and interviews with music industry insiders to re-create her dramatic life story. Aaliyah Dana Haughton was born in Brooklyn in 1979; after her family relocated to Detroit, she began dominating talent shows and musical productions by the age of 10. A few years later, her uncle and producer, Barry Hankerson, introduced her to R. Kelly, and together they produced Aaliyah's first album, Age Ain't Nothing but a Number, which has sold more than 3 million copies. Her agile sound was considered a fusion of hip-hop and "R & B without being too niche." She recorded two more studio albums and received acting roles and awards alongside Missy Elliott, Timbaland, Lil' Kim, and others. Just like God Save the Queens: The Essential History of Women in Hip-Hop (2019), this book amply displays the author's impressive knowledge of her subject and ability to capture telling details. This unauthorized chronicle is richly detailed and thoroughly researched but also carefully edited to avoid tarnishing her subject's reputation and enduring legacy, particularly concerning the "shockingly palpable" romantic chemistry between Aaliyah and R. Kelly, who is currently on trial for sex trafficking. Iandoli writes about why she chose to chronicle Kelly's abusive role in Aaliyah's life: not to give him any credit but to show Aaliyah as a "survivor." Readers unfamiliar with the R & B industry--or Aaliyah's impact on it--are in for an immersive read as the author covers all the insider particulars of her red-hot career. Iandoli dutifully honors the life and the indelible imprint and influence Aaliyah left on the music industry. A fond tribute to the enduring legacy of R & B's greatly missed "Queen of Urban Pop." Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Summary
In a definitive and " excellent homage to a star who left this planet too soon" (Questlove), the life, career, tragic death, and evolution of Aaliyah into a music legend are explored--featuring in-depth research and exclusive interviews.

By twenty-two years old, Aaliyah had already accomplished a staggering amount: hit records, acclaimed acting roles, and fame that was just about to cross over into superstardom. Like her song, she was already "more than a woman" but her shocking death in a plane crash prevented her from fully growing into one.

Now, two decades later, the full story of Aaliyah's life and cultural impact is finally and lovingly revealed. Baby Girl features never-before-told stories, including studio anecdotes, personal tales, and eyewitness accounts on the events leading up to her untimely passing. Her enduring influence on today's artists--such as Rihanna, Drake, Normani, and many more--is also celebrated, providing Aaliyah's discography a cultural critique that is long overdue.

"There's no better way to pay your respect to R&B's true angel than to lose yourself in the pages" (Kim Osorio, journalist and author of Straight from the Source ) of this "dazzling biography" ( Publishers Weekly ) that is as unforgettable as its subject.

This book was written without the participation of Aaliyah's family/estate.
Table of Contents
Author's Notep. xi
Introduction: Good-bye, Summerp. xv
Chapter 1Get Your Motor Runningp. 1
Chapter 2Age Ain't Nothing but a Numberp. 13
Chapter 3R. Kelly's Lost Survivorp. 37
Chapter 4Tabula Rasap. 59
Chapter 5One in a Millionp. 79
Chapter 6Tommy Girlp. 93
Chapter 7Baby Stepsp. 107
Chapter 8Romeo Must Tryp. 125
Chapter 9Take It Personalp. 137
Chapter 10Things Fall Apartp. 155
Chapter 11Life after Deathp. 189
Chapter 12Please Don't Stop the Musicp. 199
Chapter 13Came to Give Lovep. 211
Chapter 144-Page Lettersp. 223
Photo Outro One: Shooting Your Shotp. 245
Photo Outro Two: The Perfect Shotp. 249
Photo Outro Three: The Final Shotp. 257
Acknowledgmentsp. 265
Bibliographyp. 273
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