About this episode
Author of the book Baby Girl: Better Known as Aaliyah Kathy Iandoli returns to Pop Pantheon to unpack the far too short career of one of the most exciting pop recording artists of her generation, Aaliyah. Kathy and Louie discuss Aaliyah’s upbringing in Detroit, her connection to soul legend Gladys Knight and how she came to create 1994’s Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number with R. Kelly, a convicted sexual predator who married her illegally as a teen. Then they examine one of the most forward-thinking pieces of R&B futurism ever produced, 1996’s One in a Million , a collaboration largely with innovative songwriting and production duo Timbaland and Missy Elliott, which is widely considered one of the best albums of the ‘90s. Next, they dissect Aaliyah’s showcase of triple-threat talent in Romeo Must Die and Queen of the Damned , her thrilling soundtrack songs, "Are You That Somebody" and "Try Again,” the blend of R&B traditionalism and avant garde genre experiments on Aaliyah’s 2001’s self-titled album, released just one month before her untimely death and how her early passing as impacted her legacy. Finally, they rank Aaliyah in the official Pop Pantheon. Buy Kathy's Book Baby Girl: Better Known as Aaliyah Listen to Pop Pantheon's Aaliyah Essentials Playlist Join Pop Pantheon: All Access, Our Patreon Channel, for Exclusive Content and More Come to Gorgeous Gorgeous LA on November 10 Come to Gorgeous Gorgeous X Who? Weekly on November 16 Shop Merch in Pop Pantheon's Store Follow Kathy Iandoli on Twitter Follow Kathy Iandoli on Instagram Follow DJ Louie XIV on Instagram Follow DJ Louie XIV on Twitter Follow Pop Pantheon on Instagram Follow Pop Pantheon on Twitter