Throwback Thursday: Aaliyah – “Rock the Boat”
Yesterday, August 25, 2021, marked 20 years since we lost one of the most beloved R&B stars of the ‘90s, Aaliyah. She died in a plane crash in the Bahamas, where she had just shot the last scenes for a music video for her next single, “Rock the Boat.”
Before a video for “Rock the Boat” was shot, Aaliyah’s record label had planned to released “More Than a Woman” as the second single from her self-titled third album, and she was already performing it live during promotional appearances. However, fans were responding to “Rock the Boat” so favorably that it had become a radio hit despite being an album cut. The label insisted on sticking with its original plans, but after pushback from Aaliyah, they decided to go with “Rock the Boat.”
For many, myself included, this video — which fits the sexy summertime energy of the song perfectly — evokes feelings of sadness because of the knowledge that some of these scenes show the final hours of Aaliyah’s life.
Even though she was only 22 when she passed away, Aaliyah already had a seven-year career and had accomplished more than most would in a lifetime. And as big of a star she already was, she hadn’t quite peaked yet, which makes her passing that much more painful.
Unfortunately, we’ll never know what the rest of Aaliyah’s career would’ve looked like, but may we all find solace in the timeless music left behind.
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