It seems that every day, news about the highly anticipated posthumous Aaliyah album surfaces in the form of “he said” and “she heard.” Well, we finally have word from an official statement from a rep for Missy Elliot confirming that she and producer Timbaland will NOT be a part of the project.
In the statement, longtime manager for Missy, Mona Scott-Young, states, “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.” She continues, “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.”
This official release comes after Jomo and Barry Hankerson of Blackground Records (Aaliyah’s former label) told Billboard that the mega-producers “will definitely be involved.”
Even though the pair doesn’t plan on being a part of the project, doesn’t mean they care less about the late songstress’ memory. Missy Elliot added in the statement, “Tim and I carry Aaliyah with us everyday, like so many of the people who love her. She will always live in our hearts. 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.”
Missy Elliott and Timbaland have been two of the most influential artists in hip-hop over recent decades. Their collaborations with Aaliyah, the late R&B singer, are some of the best known work within their respective musical careers. Unfortunately for fans, it has recently been confirmed that neither Missy nor Timbaland will be contributing to a posthumous album featuring music from Aaliyah’s catalog.
The news came as a shock to many; after all, both Missy and Timbaland had worked closely with Aaliyah before her untimely death in 2001. While it is still unclear why they won’t be involved in this project, there can be no denying that their absence will leave a huge void on what could potentially be an incredible collection of songs.
For those familiar with the trio’s previous work together – which includes hits such as ‘Are You That Somebody’ and ‘Try Again’ – this sadly means that we may never get to hear new music from them again collectively. In light of these developments, this article explores exactly why Missy Elliott and Timbaland have chosen not to partake in the upcoming posthumous Aaliyah album project.
Rumors Of Collaboration
For months, there have been rumors circulating that Missy Elliott and Timbaland would be participating in the posthumous Aaliyah album. Unfortunately, those who were hoping for some collaboration between these two music giants will have to look elsewhere. Recent reports confirm that neither Missy nor Timbaland are taking part in the project.
The speculation surrounding their involvement was fueled by a series of tweets from both artists back in April 2019. They hinted at creating new music together and fans quickly assumed they meant an Aaliyah album was in the works. But it seems this was not the case after all; they simply had plans to work on other projects outside of Aaliyah’s legacy.
Although we won’t hear any tracks featuring them, it appears as though others have stepped up to contribute to the tribute album instead. The latest news is that producers such as Darkchild, DJ Paul and Jazze Pha have joined forces with members of Aaliyah’s inner circle—including her brother Rashad Haughton—to create something special for fans everywhere. While we may never get what we wanted from Timbaland or Missy Elliott, it’s comforting knowing the project is still alive and breathing with so many talented people involved.
Official Response
In response to the rumors, representatives for both Missy Elliott and Timbaland released statements confirming that they are not part of the posthumous Aaliyah album. They each expressed their admiration for Aaliyah’s artistry but ultimately stated that this project was outside of their scope. Missy made it clear she had been hard at work on her own solo music while Timbaland said he had “other commitments” in his career.
Though it may be disappointing to fans, these comments provide some clarity about what is going on behind the scenes. It appears as though new artists have taken up the reigns and now there is an even greater sense of anticipation around who will feature on the record. With producers such as Darkchild and Jazze Pha involved, we can expect a sound that pays homage to the iconic R&B star while still pushing boundaries within contemporary genres.
It’s also comforting knowing that Rashad Haughton—Aaliyah’s brother—is leading production with his team of trusted experts. Having someone so close to her legacy steering things ensures that no matter who else joins in, Aaliyah’s vision remains intact throughout all stages of development. We look forward to hearing more information about the upcoming album soon!
Conclusion
In conclusion, it’s been confirmed that Missy Elliott and Timbaland will not be participating on the posthumous Aaliyah album. This is unfortunate news for fans of the late singer who had hoped to hear a collaboration between these three artists once again.
Though I’m sure many were excited at the prospect of hearing something from Missy and Timbaland alongside Aaliyah, it doesn’t look like we’ll get this opportunity any time soon. That said, there are still plenty of opportunities to enjoy music from all three artists separately. We can look forward to their new releases in upcoming months for our own listening pleasure.
At the end of the day, though disappointed by this announcement, we should take solace knowing that each artist remains successful and continues to create incredible music today as they did before – even if they won’t appear together on an album honoring Aaliyah’s legacy.
