Aaliyah (posthumous LP artwork)
Aaliyah's Uncle and mentor and the head of Blackground Records, Barry Hankerson is the person perhaps most qualified to speak for the late singer's legacy--and to perhaps clarify the sometimes contradictory statements about her posthumous LP that have been circulating from those concerned ('those concerned' including, but not limited, to: Drake, Timbaland & Missy Elliot, Barry's son Jomo Hankerson and Aaliyah's brother Rashad Haughton.) In an interview with ThatGrapeJuice Hankerson reveals, among other things, that the material (16 tracks) in question is all apparently from a single album Aaliyah was working on before she passed, and shares details about an upcoming babygirl biopic. Lest the spokesperson for Aaliyah's estate have the final word, Lil Wayne also added his 2c, letting Billboard know he felt Drake and Noah "40" Shebib's involvement as executive producers was a "good move." (Then Wayne added "I was talking to myself." No wait, that was on this video deposition.) In any case read on after the jump for Hankeron's quote on the album and film and read the full Q&A at TGJ.
TGJ: Young Money’s Drake and Noah Shebib have been named as the project’s executive producers, how did this arrangement come to be and how happy are you with the work they’ve produced for the album thus far?Barry: Drake and Noah did an exceptional job with “Enough Said”.
The intent was too be creative with one song at first and see how the fans would react. We look forward to them hearing the rest of the album next year.
TGJ: Likewise. So, could you run us through the creative process, exactly how are the new songs being crafted and how much unreleased material do you have to work with?
Barry: Sure. We’re working with 16 never before heard songs that were part of an album she was recording before she died. Fans will hear the same angelic tone they loved so much in these new songs.
TGJ: Upon confirmation of the project’s arrival , there was come confusion as to whether Aaliyah’s mother and brother were in support of it, could you explain what that was about for those who don’t know… and let us know how they feel about it as it stands today.
Barry: We always expected an unpleasant welcome this album.Due to the fact we have control over the estate and authoritative over royalties we will be moving forward with this album.
We never wanted the bad press that’s come with the album. The family might of made statements about us not supporting their “daughter” but the fan support and peaceful intent behind it is the reason we’ve decided to go forth with it.
The Aaliyah Biopic is currently on hold until the Haughton family agree to go forward with it. Before the controversy Warner (who would fund the movie) wanted Keshia Chante to play the lead role, and Aaliyah friends play themselves. We can’t go forward until Aaliyah’s family agree to let us.
We’ve always been sympathetic to Aaliyah’s mourning, and we’ll always love the graceful and angelic girl she was to the Haughton family. To us, she’ll always be ‘baby girl’.
props to TGJ
