By: Journey Montana

16 year old rising superstar Journey Montana has released her debut single “Show Your Love“. At such a young age, this songstress has a voice that is simply unforgettable. Her diverse upbringing in Harlem and Los Angeles directly plays out in her original and authentic sound. Having covered hits by SZA, Queen Naija, Jhene Aiko and Summer Walker this release is the perfect record to showcase her raw talent and strong pen game. She may but new, but an amateur she is far from.

On this single you will hear the songstress singing about not liking to be lonely as the one she loves, has taken their love away. Her openness and honesty propel her lyrical prowess to new heights. The most notable lyrics from this song appear in the chorus. You will hear Montana say “you know I can’t be without you, sleep without you feel without you, breathe without you, I can’t be without you babe”. The R&B driven melody is perfect match for this Atlanta native’s fire vocals.

As she is heavily influenced by Aaliyah, Etta James, Whitney Houston, Beyonce, and H.E.R. “Show Me Your Love” is true R&B record. You can really hear the Aaliyah influence in the chorus as she carries a similar cadence as the late singer. At just 16, Journey Montana is ready to take the music industry by storm.

Press play below to stream her debut single “Show Me Your Love“.

The post Journey Montana Releases Debut Single “Show Me Your Love” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

October 2009: A classic photo of Aaliyah (R.I.P.) for RESPECT.’s Premiere issue. JAY Z and the late Tupac Shakur manned the covers.

The post PHOTO OF THE DAY: June 7th, 2017 appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Image credit: Blackground/Zomba

23 years ago on this day, Aaliyah released her first album, Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number. At this time, she was introduced to R&B superstar R. Kelly, and he became her mentor by being a producer for her album. There were two hit singles that were certified Gold: “Back and Forth,” and “At Your Best (You Are Love).”

She was credited for her R&B style mixed with R. Kelly’s New Jack Swing approach…”Back and Forth” — which was released on May 10th, 1994 — was a perfect example of Aaliyah’s Jazz personality blended with ‘G’ mentality.

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Elliot made a post on Instagram to commemorate the song, saying that:

Time flies! And there’s still not a day that goes by that u aren’t inspiring new artist with your TIMELESS music & style! U will never be forgotten Aaliyah (Babygirl) We ❤️ u!

While the successful single helped solidify the performers move from Blackground to Atlantic, there is no doubt that the influence Elliot mentioned helped more than herself. Many current performers, such as Kendrick Lamar, Partynextdoor, and J. Cole have taken stylistic cues from Aaliyah’s works. Model and image consultant Aleali May also gained great inspiration from the performer, saying that, “Whether it’s her music or fashion sense, she will remain legendary. Thank you, Baby Girl!”

Aaliyah, beloved performer and fashion icon, will always be missed, though she leaves behind many who are grateful to have known and worked with her like Elliot who will make sure she will not be forgotten any time soon.

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A post shared by Missy Elliott (@missymisdemeanorelliott)

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December 10th marked the 20th anniversary of singer/songwriter Aaliyah‘s hit single, “One in a Million,” and everyone is commemorated her timeless music.

The song, written and produced by Missy Elliot and Timbaland, was featured on her album of the same name. The album debuted at twenty on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 40,500 copies in its opening week; twenty-two weeks later the album peaked at eighteen, becoming certified Gold. Missy Elliot did not shy away from adoring “baby girl’s” amazing work, and reminding everyone of how amazing Aaliyah truly was.

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A post shared by Missy Elliott (@missymisdemeanorelliott)

Aaliyah, born Aaliyah Dana Haughton, passed away on August 25th, 2001 in a plane crash in the Bahamas. Since her passing, Aaliyah’s fanbase has only grown. She has been credited for helping redefine contemporary R&B, pop and hip hop, earning her the nicknames “Princess of R&B” and “Queen of Urban Pop”. She is listed by Billboard as the tenth most successful female R&B artist of the past 25 years and 27th most successful R&B artist in history. Many were devastated by the loss of R&B’s princess, and no one will allow Aaliyah’s music to fade away. She was a superstar, and will not be forgotten.

“I remember getting the news that you had passed and it connected with my heart like a clean shot from Muhammad Ali. I was crushed. Not only was I one of your biggest fans but I was truly in love with you. I loved the way you carried yourself, the way you dressed, the confidence with which you addressed passion and relationships in your music.”

– Drake (A letter to Aaliyah)

“She was one of the best people I ever met. Even with the pain I felt, I would do it all over again.”

-Dame Dash

https://twitter.com/TheLaunchMag/status/807573167241838592

Happy Birthday “One in a Million,” from RESPECT magazine!

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The post Fans Remember R&B Singer Aaliyah as “One in A Million” Turns 20 appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Image via Billboard.com

Thursday (August 25) marked 15 years since the passing of the amazingly talented singer known to some as “Baby Girl.”

Aaliyah‘s angelic voice and tom-boyish looks set her apart from other singers during her time and ushered in a new wave of sexy for the girls around the way. Aaliyah’s fashion sense and charm not only landed her as the then face of Tommy Hilfiger, but also helped to put a few movie roles under her belt such as “Romeo Must Die” and “Queen of the Damned.”

Despite being gone too soon at the young age of 22, we still breathe life into Aaliyah the artist, and Aaliyah the loving, caring, sweet soul of a person, each time we play her music. With three albums of material, we’ve slimmed down a list of her best songs that still inspire us to this day.

Here are 6 Aaliyah Songs That Still Inspire Us:

1)”Rock the Boat”

“Rock the boat, rock the boat/
Work the middle, work the middle…”

This was Aaliyah’s last music video before her passing. Although the video is visually stunning, the song itself does wonders. It represents the smooth and sensual Aaliyah that we all know and love.

2) “Try Again”

Who remembers this 2001 hit song? If you don’t, you more than likely lived under a rock. This song was EVERYWHERE back then. What’s truly inspiring about this song is how she crafted a song about the universal theme of never giving up that EVERYONE could dance to. Aaliyah and Timbaland were the perfect combination of artist and producer.

3) “Back and Forth”

Soon as the music begins, you can just feel yourself swaying to the beat. making her mark with this debut single in the music industry, Aaliyah burst onto scene with a mysterious vibe that everyone wanted to get to know more about.

4)”One In A Million”

Arguably one of Aaliyah’s most popular songs, co-written by Missy Elliot and Timbaland, “One in a Million” ushered in a new sound for R&B at the time. Futuristic vibes brought to you by Timbaland through Aaliyah as the song’s muse.

5) “4 Page Letter”

Just the song’s title itself suggests reflection and longing for love in a relationship. The listener can resonate with the lyrics as she croons over the letter she wrote to her lover.

6) “Are You That Somebody”

“Sometimes I’m goody goody, right now I’m naughty naughty….”

Short and simple, this was the original song that crossed line between her playful innocence and her sultry side.

We miss you, Aaliyah.

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The post We Miss You Baby Girl! 6 Aaliyah Songs That Still Inspires Us Today appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The music community still mourns the death of Aaliyah almost fifteen years later. And there’s no doubt in our minds how difficult it may be as family, friends, fans to still try come to an understanding as to why she had to leave us so soon, so young. A question that will never be answered is sparked up by gems she has left behind: classic hits such as, “Are You That Somebody,” and “Rock The Boat,” her phenomenal acting roles in Queen of the Damned and Romeo Must Die, and the inspiration she had through the wisdom she shared in various interviews and interactions, leaving everyone to fall in love by her presence. Despite Damon Dash’s relationship with the Princess of R&B being private, many fans were aware of how in love the two were. Damon even revealed the two planned to marry before her death. In a new episode of Family Therapy With Dr. Jenn, Damon Dash expresses how losing Aaliyah has had a huge affect on him.

“Everything that scared me is losing people I love and everyone that I’ve really loved, as it relates to females, I’ve lost. So what it’s made me be, the animal that I am, is that I don’t want to sit down and think about the things that are hurting me.”

Family Therapy With Dr. Jenn isn’t the first time Damon Dash openly admits how heartbreaking it was losing Aaliyah.

“The energy we created together for people to observe was kind of crazy. We’d be in a room full of people talking to each other and it felt like everyone was listening but it would be just us. It would be like we were the only ones in the room,” The music mogul told Billboard in 2011.

“It was like something was going down in history every time I was with her. Every time I was around her I felt it was the place to be. Our time together meant so much that when we got more time, we felt like that [engagement] would be next. She was one of the best people I ever met. Even with the pain I felt I would do it all over again. ”

Make sure to catch Family Therapy With Dr. Jenn on Wednesday, April 13 at 8/7c on VH1.

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The post Almost 15 Years Later: Damon Dash Speaks on Losing Aaliyah appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.