Dec. 10, 2016 marked 20 years since the release of Aaliyah’s single “One in a Million.” The single helped commercially solidify Aaliyah’s label move from Blackground to Atlantic. While Missy Elliott served as the single’s co-writer, she recently shared an Instagram post reinforcing that her relationship with Aaliyah was more than just business.
“There’s still not a day that goes by that you aren’t inspiring new artists with your timeless music and style,” Missy wrote.
The album One in a Million marked a personal and sonic split for Aaliyah’s former musical mentor R. Kelly, and it boasted certified sales of over 2 million units.
The inspiration Missy referenced continues to loom large. Drake, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Bebe Rexha, and Partynextdoor are a handful of current musicians who reference or take stylistic cues from Aaliyah. Elliott and Timbaland’s work on One in a Million, as well as their own projects, opened the doors for future collaborations with Jay Z, Justin Timberlake, Madonna, and Nelly Furtado.
“Aaliyah has always inspired my personal style,” said model and image consultant Aleali May in Complex’s roundup of influencers on Aaliyah’s style legacy. “She was confident, creative, and cool. As a young girl, I used to feel insecure about my small frame, but Aaliyah played a role in helping me tackle this. She showed how you can perfectly blend men’s and womenswear while still keeping it sexy. Whether it’s her music or fashion sense, she will remain legendary. Thank you, Baby Girl!”
