Aaliyah fans around the world seemed to rejoice her label, Blackground Records, claimed that her close friends and longtime collaborators Missy Elliott and Timbaland would be contributing to her posthumous album. However, Blackground may have spoken too soon as a rep for Elliott has now claimed that Elliott won’t be involved.
Mona Scott-Young, Elliott’s longtime manager, sent out a press release explaining the music duo’s absence from Aaliyah’s album.
“Although Missy and Timbaland always strive to keep the memory of their close friend alive, we have not been contacted about the project nor are there any plans at this time to participate,” Scott-Young said. “We’ve seen the reports surfacing that they have been confirmed to participate but that is not the case. Both Missy and Timbaland are very sensitive to the loss still being felt by the family so we wanted to clear up any misinformation being circulated.”
Elliott also shared a few words on the subject of her fallen friend.
“Tim and I carry Aaliyah with us every day, like so many of the people who love her. She will always live in our hearts,” said Elliott. “We have nothing but love and respect for her memory and for her loved ones left behind still grieving her loss. They are always in our prayers.”
For now, the only confirmed producers for the album are Noah “40” Shebib and Drake, who appears on the album’s lead single, “Enough Said.” And though most fans have responded positively to the song, many have expressed that the project won’t be complete without contributions from Timbo and Missy.
“I know they trying to drop some Aaliyah records, but if he do [sic] it, it should be with me and Missy,” Timbo said back in April. “The proper way for him to do that would be for me, him and Missy to be all on the record. The best decision, what the fans would want to see is all three of us.”
And we’d have to agree with Timbaland. Somehow, an Aaliyah album without Timbo and Elliott, the musical architects who shaped the landmark sounds that ultimately inspired Drake’s deep love for the singer, should contribute something to the project.
For now, fans will have to wait and see if Timbo and Elliott are finally added. Until thn, check out some of Aaliyah, Timbo and Elliott’s greatest collaborations below.
–nicholas robinson
