Rihanna
“Work” singer Rihanna expressed her admiration for Aaliyah, who died in a plane crash at age 22 in 2001. In one of the “Anti” record maker’s early interviews, she cites “Are You That Somebody” as one of her favorite videos.
Tinashe (RCA)
Tinashe
“2 On” singer Tinashe gave credit to Aaliyah for her impact on today’s R&B vocal style. “We owe our chill vibe to her,” she told Billboard in 2014.
Drake (Young Money Entertainment/Cash Money Records)
Drake
When Drake decided to start singing on his records, he used Aaliyah as a reference. The rapper praised her ability to perform songs that both men and women can relate to. He also honored her with a feature on the posthumous song, “Enough Said.”
Ciara
Comparisons of Ciara and Aaliyah emerged since the beginning of the newlywed singer’s career. “It never felt like she was trying to reach across or do anything more than just keep that cool, soulful, heavy urban core about it,” Ciara told Billboard of the late performer.
Jhené Aiko (Def Jam)
Jhené Aiko
Though Jhené Aiko has tried to push away comparisons, writing “I’m not your next Aaliyah” on her Tumblr in 2011, producer Noah “40” Shebib compared the two three years later in an interview with Vibe. Calling Aiko’s voice “beautiful, recognizable,” he said she had a tone similar to Aaliyah’s.
Chris Brown (RCA)
Chris Brown
Chris Brown’s Aaliyah influence came posthumously with a collaboration on his song, “Don’t Think They Know” in 2013. The single sampled Aaliyah’s recording from the final days of filming “Queen of the Damned.”
Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys said the princess of R&B’s death inspired her to write “If I Ain’t Got You.” “It was such a sad time and no one wanted to believe it,” she told RapUp in 2011. “It just made everything crystal clear to me—what matters, and what doesn’t.”
J. Cole (Dreamville Records)
J. Cole
At the time of Aaliyah’s passing, J. Cole was a teenager crushing on the star. To honor her death, the rapper made a beat named after her. “I remember slightly what the beat sounded like, but that was my way to pay respect in my own little world,” he said.
