Aaliyah’s music will be returning.
The late R&B singer’s albums have never been on streaming services (with the exception of Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number) — however that’s about to change. As the anniversary of Aaliyah’s death approaches, her records will now be available to stream on Spotify. One in a Million, her second album, will be available on August 20, followed by the soundtrack to the movie Romeo Must Die and Aaliyah, in September. I Care 4 U and Ultimate Aaliyah will be added on Spotify in October.
News of Aaliyah’s music catalog being released on the streaming service comes after her uncle, and former manager, Barry Hankerson made the announcement. Although Hankerson, who is the head of Blackground Records, has control of the singer’s masters, Aaliyah’s Estate was not made aware of the release of her music on Spotify. “Protecting Aaliyah’s legacy is, and will always be, our focus. For 20 years we have battled behind the scenes, enduring shadowy tactics of deception with unauthorized projects targeted to tarnish,” they wrote on Wednesday.
Hankerson says he struck a deal with music distribution company Empire “to introduce Aaliyah and Blackground’s legacy to a new audience.”
The Music Lab 