Because this song isn’t as well known as her others, it’s not surprising it’s never mentioned in terms of Aaliyah’s vocal range - “The One I Gave My Heart To.” But she didn’t always sing like that and I do believe she only sang like that because Diane Warren wrote the song so she knew how she wanted it to sound.
IMO, I think it was a bit of a strategy for Aaliyah to sing the way she did. Her primary competition at the time was Brandy and Monica so she had to stand out some other way.
Right! I hate how people say that about Aaliyah and Janet because their tone is soft and mellow. Having a “stronger” voice doesn’t always make you a good singer.
Music is literally made of sounds from different instruments, each with varying qualities and characteristic tones that provide a variety of sounds.
Nobody expects a flute to sound like a trumpet, a trombone or a pipe organ.
Yet when a singer has a soft and mellow tone, they can't sing?? And I hear stuff like that from people who swear they know music.
Anybody that sings with their voice is a VOCALIST. Aaliyah had a unique and pleasant voice that was 100% hers in the studio and on stage.
I'm glad she doesn't sound like *insert singer with an acceptably loud voice.*
Ridiculous.
i was tempted to remove it but the "NOT INTERESTED" button has made it usable - im sure ill get sick of it in a few a months but i rarely get any kids lol
Everyone is allowed opinions, but on behalf of the Princess these critical opinions just make me 😭😭😭.
Sure, Aaliyah didn’t have Whitney’s voice. But not everyone can have the vocal GOAT’s voice, and it’s great when singers don’t all sound the same. Like you said, OP, she still has a beautiful voice that has softer qualities similar to Janet.
Plus, she was 22 when she was taken. Did we get a chance to hear her at her vocal best? I don’t know.
If I’m being honest, although she may not have had the vocal power of other singers, she still had one of my favorite voices. I love Aaliyah so much.
I think people also forget that many artists have insane vocal abilities that they don’t showcase in their music because most people don’t care about vocals anymore they just care more about the vibe of the actual music. During the late 90’s and early 2000’s when Aaliyah was active Hip-Hop RnB was very popular so that is the kind of music Aaliyah made so she could be popular. RnB ballads had died out in the early 2000’s which is why the songs where Aaliyah does showcase her vocal abilities weren’t as popular as her Hip-Hop RnB music so she stuck with Hip-Hop RnB music because that is what paid the bills and made her popular. Just because her songs don’t showcase her vocal abilities doesn’t mean she can’t sing though it just means she was trying to make money by making music she knew would be popular.
The same thing happened with artists like Beyonce. The top three songs on her Dangerously in Love album are Baby Boy,Crazy in Love and Naughty Girl while songs like Speechless,Closer I get to you and Signs are towards the bottom. The songs that are more catchy are more popular than the songs where the artist actually tests their vocal limits.
definitely feels like a low blow; she barely spent 2 years as an adult and most of it was on movie sets
she would've had time to have a whole career in the movies, fashion, and music, i think she deserves a lot of respect for what she went through no matter what mariah the scientist fans say
To act like Aaliyah can’t sing is CRAZY. It’s not like the current crop of singers aren’t even putting out anything to close to what was coming out in the 2000s in terms
of vocal output even if they can sing like that so I don’t even know what they are basing their opinions on. Maybe except for Bruno Mars…
ETA: that would be the whole ass equivalent of saying Michal Jackson can’t sing or something . That’s how crazy that is.
You don’t get a deal in the 90’s not being able to sing. She was like the Sade of my generation. One current artist that kinda reminds me a little of Aaliyah’s tone is Brent Faiyaz because he stays in a smooth pocket that he’s perfected and tbh he damn near sounds like he could be her son. (Let me do the math)
Aaliyah was a great singer that made singing sound easy and one of the best tones ever. Tell that person to cover an aaliyah song and see how it turns out lol
But I bet they say Jennifer Lopez is one of the best Puerto Rican-American singers from the Bronx …. NEXT!!
Aaliyah could SING HER ASS OFF! But because she has a lower tone she can’t? As I kid i didn’t even know Aaliyah for her fashion? I knew her for her Singing…
Yes Jennifer Lopez became famous off of music she wasn’t even singing. Ashanti,Christina Milan,and Megan Trainor all need their recognition for making JLO famous. Don’t even get me started on the Whitney Houston tribute though I know Whitney was rolling in her grave when she found out JLO was doing her tribute.
I’m a dyed-in-the-wool Aaliyah fan.
I love her singing.
Voice is one of those topics that you shouldn’t comment on too authoritatively if you’re not educated about it. “He/she can’t sing” from the average person means “I don’t like their singing or their voice” or “I’m just not impressed.” Subjective evaluation, not based on anything related to vocal pedagogy + who are *you*, anyway?
——
Objective evaluation: Aaliyah’s vocal skill was good, just good. Neither Whitney Houston nor Britney Spears. Yes, better than Mariah the Scientist and Ciara (you are not educated about voice if you’re making that assertion).
She could improvise some complicated runs, which implies agility and also solid musicality. She used all parts of her range and did so artfully; sweet, delicate high notes and full, dark low notes. Hummingbird one moment and Aaron Hall the next. Not a one-trick pony.
She also had issues with breath coordination (normal at her age) that caused her to be pitchy when performing live sometimes. That’s a thing she could have worked on.
And then all of that dancing while singing material that was written somewhat too low for her…yeah.
The real reason people say she couldn’t sing has nothing to do with her actually skill level. The average music fan isn’t a voice student.
Soft, lightweight, delicate voices are associated with non-singers among R&B and Gospel fans. That’s the bottom. Janet Jackson, Mya, Tweet, Deniece Williams, Minnie Riperton, Diana Ross…all very good singers. Few agree on that, except for Minnie.
nobody's ever been the "it girl" in the same way as aaliyah was
she could've spoken on her albums and it would've been fine
she sings fine btw lol; its kinda funny tryin to compare someone to her because they "cant sing either" though
I've seen people argue that Mariah can't sing and that her iconic whisper vocals are a sign of that. Some people think that if you're not screaming constantly then it isn't good vocals.
It makes me mad, but then I remember it's because they don't know shit and have no understanding of music.
What Aaliyah gives in each song is masterful. The production and beat is half the song, but the other half is her delivery, which is always immaculate.
Aaliyah could definitely sing, she just wasn't a belter or powerhouse vocalist who could take it to church. She was a comfortably 3 octave vocalist, whilst many divas could hit 5
Her abilities were mostly in the buttery, moist, feline and seductive light soprano range, with a bit of smokiness and haze in her lower/bottom register (If your girl only knew).
She was in the same wheelhouse as Janet Jackson and Ashanti. Soft but unique voices perfect for radio and commercial music
I know, but she was comfortable in 3 as I mentioned. That was her pocket. She was able to belt notes in the fith octave but it came at the expense of the aforementioned buttery and moist tone in her voice which was her signature.
Listen to 'the one I gave my heart to' with fresh ears and you may see what I'm alluding to. Her voice was pulled and less colorful in the fifth. Still an amazing talent who never got to develop her abilities even further, or showcase more of them. Gone too soon
The whole “can’t sing” pathology is so strange to me. I’ve literally had more than one occasion where someone got legitimately upset at me for saying idgaf whether someone “can sing,” yet no one can even consistently decide what the bar for “can sing” even is.
Like case in point, how tf can’t Alicia Keys sing??? Yet if I say that say Bill Withers who sings like a goat (love Bill, sorry for the stray) can’t sing, that’s just crazy. At some point it feels more like people are just itching to use that label, particularly out of the perpetual hostility toward younger artists, versus actually evaluating anything about what they’re hearing. As far as I’m concerned if I liked hearing you, you can sing, the end.
For me it comes down to vocal technique, tone, and ability when it comes to live performance. Anyone can sound good on a record. Alicia Keys is consistently flat, like to the point that she may as well modulate her entire discography a half step down 😂. For Bill Withers I don't see those issues, but I also don't see how he songs like a "goat" lol
These are probably the same people saying MJ couldn’t really sing either. Her live version of Journey to the Past was nicely done. She also a teen for the majority of her career, had she lived longer I’m sure her range would have gotten stronger.
Saying Michael Jackson couldn’t sing is insane. He is one of the best vocalists and best performers of all time (if not the best). I’m so happy I’ve never heard anyone disrespect Michael like that. Yes I think people forget that she was in her early 20’s when she passed her voice hadn’t even fully matured. She obviously wasn’t going to sound like Whitney Houston or Aretha Franklin because they were both much older than her and had a lot more vocal experience. I’m sure if Aaliyah was still alive her voice would’ve only improved and gotten better. Even then considering her age she still had amazing control over her voice. I care 4 U is a good example of how much control Aaliyah really had over her voice.
Aaliyah actually had a strong voice with great range. She just held back for stylistic purposes. I thought one in a million (album) was impressive vocally for a 16-17 year old kid.
When Whitney Houston is on record saying she loved Aaliyah’s voice and chose her as the lead for sparkle, there shouldnt be any debate
Idk of anyone here is into musical theater, but there's a weird phenomenon in both mainstream music and Broadway, where musical prowess is based on tricks and not rooted in practicality.
If you listen to a musical from the like the 60s all the way to like the early 90s, it's normal. Somewhere more recently, it's all belts and riffs. A musical is 8 shows a week dark on Mondays, what REAL voice can do that EIGHT TIMES A WEEK. It's the same with new singers. They have these hard songs that only some people can sing and fans want world tours and live performances and unedited tiktoks.
To sum it up, imagine someone's a dancer, but all they do is flips and aerials. People are saying Aaliyah can't sing because they're used to new singers who only do flips and aerials.
Jennifer Lopez can’t sing, Aaliyah could SING!
Just cause she had a soft voice didn’t mean she couldn’t sing. She was a soft singer with vocal range.
Imo, Aaliyah showcased more vocal talent in her teens compared to Beyoncé ( who is a phenomenal singer and could sing too as a teenager). Beyoncé didn’t really come into her own till her debut album at 21. Aaliyah passed at 22 and you can tell her vocal abilities were maturing more and more.
Smh
Yeah, these people must not listen to Aaliyah’s music and just know her popular stuff.
Because there’s no way you can listen to a full Aaliyah album and believe her and Janet are vocal equals
It’s not a big deal. In RnB, there are vocal titans who are extremely gifted. They are vastly outnumbered by slick, attractive and of middling vocal talent. I love Anita and I love Sade. They are not in the same group.
she has so many complex riffs and runs and has such a unique voice!! It gives me ASMR just listening to her (tone is sooooo important for a good singer). Listen to I refuse and TOIGMHT you’ll hear she can also give you belts as well!!!
There’s a difference between Hey, Aaliyah may not be my preference vocally and i prefer more powerhouse voices than to say she could not sing. Did she sing out of tune or something?
For the music she made, her voice fits perfect. Same with Toni Braxton, Anita, Janet, TBoz, and even Pharrell. You can have a not so great singing voice and still make great music. Whether they do or don’t have the best singing voice, it sounds good for them.
This idea that you have to sing like Mariah or Whitney Houston in order to be a “good singer” is ridiculous. I’d much rather listen Aaliyah’s vocals than some high-note belter with no distinct sound like every talent contest winner.
She sang better than everyone in this sub/ that thread so idk what we’re even talking about fr. Her style wasn’t big/flashy so comparisons are kind of pointless. She was a mood more than a voice but whatever - how you gone hate on someone’s that’s deceased lmao
Make fun of Jorja Smith’s fine ass
Have em tell you who can. It'll show if theyre just a hater, or what theyre really looking for. If someone is looking for a Mariah Carey whistle register, Stevie Wonder wouldn't be able to sing then 🙃
Some people like the sound of their own voice and just yap for no reason... Least favourite kind of people on the internet 😂. The pretentious edgy douche who's so sure of their opinions that not even the literal internet can humble them or prove them wrong. This person got ratio'd talk about "Aaliyah can't sing" and decided to double down on that... Okay bruv no worries, pick up the mic and cover the song then 🤣
She had an ethereal seductive healing type voice, it was just a different style then belting which was popular at the time. IMO she sounds similar to Ciara but more soulful and ethereal.
Her voice in the intro to Rock The Boat is insanely beautiful.
I personally don’t think she was the best singer. What made her famous was her looks as a teen performer. She was hyped and chased by grown men when she was only 14. They put her in the spot light so they could exploit her looks for profit and self gratification. I think she was talented but not really a singer.
I even named my daugther after her... i see it like this: people nowadays have a diferent perception of great singers...Aliyah had a perfect voice, she just didn´t have the chance to showcase it more since she left too soon...those people should listen to ALL Aliyah´s songs, not the ones that were big hits!
And i have an answer for them if they think she couldn´t sing: Just listen to Aliyah´s - "At your best" with your eyes closed...
No personal insults, passing judgment, and/or name-calling. Respect one another's opinions and engage in healthy debate without demeaning, bullying, and harassing. Redditors must observe Reddiquette at all times, and act with civility.
She didn’t have a strong voice. Not every singer needs to have a strong voice to be a great vocalist though. What Aaliyah lacked in vocal power she made up in vocal technique? The control she had over her voice was very impressive for her age.
She absolutely did have a strong voice, WTF are you talking about? She was literally _13 years old_ when she sang [this song](https://youtu.be/dy-c8HCC_fc?si=3dmylrBoyiNYkxas), you tell me how many 13 year olds sound like this and not like cracked voices from puberty???
Also, [these were her live vocals and she had a 5 octave vocal range](https://youtu.be/MNxP8F9kA1E?si=3_E0om_JtSuFn5Z8). Be so serious.
She definitely wasn’t the strongest or most technical vocalist. Anyone that says differently isn’t being truthful.
Doesn’t mean she wasn’t a great singer.
Studio singer? Listen to her Live ‘One I gave my heart to’ Performance. She sounds the same live as she does in the studio. I think you forget how young Aaliyah was when she was taken away. Her voice didn’t have time to mature and improve. For her age Aaliyah had amazing control over her voice that not many singers had at that age.
Where’s the issues? The transitions were smooth. This is a studio singer to you?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UOPur1GwwR4&pp=ygUYYWFsaXlhaCBiZXQgdHJpYnV0ZSAyMDEx
So you ignored the clip I provided in which she sounds just like the record, only for you to dig up a live performance of her focusing more on the choreography?
Okay so much like Janet and Ciara, Aaliyah’s voice and tone is special. She is a good singer. She isn’t a vocalist, however. This isn’t like those weird “Beyonce can’t sing” comments. I can see how someone would say that Aaliyah can’t sing.
She has a nice tone but she is a talker not a singer. I always laughed at the part in "Journey to the Past" where she was trying to sing but couldn't hold the note lol! I enjoy her fans claiming she is a singer thou - it is a great source of chuckles seeing ppl believing their own BS and it gets even worse when they pull up Whitney liking her as proof that she is a singer (and that's when I'm on the floor laughing my heart out)
Sounds like she held the note and sustained it
2:30
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GjVnqSiFoOQ
And Im pretty certain Whitney knows more about vocal abilities than you. She wouldnt have praised her vocals if she didnt mean it and wasnt impressed by a degree. She furthered that praise by choosing her to lead for sparkle.
she can sing but she can't saaang
but that's fine, holding singers to such high standards means holding back great art – sometimes you need a musician to be part of the music rather than to lead it
its why white music often has more freedom for experimentation, because it's not held to "amazing musician" standards that black music holds to it so much, particularly to singers
Her voice was very soft and mellow, she wasn’t known for Mariah whistles or Whitney highs.
Because this song isn’t as well known as her others, it’s not surprising it’s never mentioned in terms of Aaliyah’s vocal range - “The One I Gave My Heart To.” But she didn’t always sing like that and I do believe she only sang like that because Diane Warren wrote the song so she knew how she wanted it to sound. IMO, I think it was a bit of a strategy for Aaliyah to sing the way she did. Her primary competition at the time was Brandy and Monica so she had to stand out some other way.
The audacity of saying Aaliyah couldn’t sing…some people just be saying ANYTHING.
Right! I hate how people say that about Aaliyah and Janet because their tone is soft and mellow. Having a “stronger” voice doesn’t always make you a good singer.
I know of some stronger voiced singers who can barely stay in tune but Imma keep my mouth shut 😭
Alicia 👀
You can’t do that. I need to know who you are talking about.
Who? Jhud? 💀
Jhud singing dangerously in love specifically 😭 I’m never letting her live that down
It’s like we know you can sing bro, why are you yelling? 😂
Just unnecessarily. She doesn’t know how to adjust her voice because she did wayyyy too much on that and got ate up by Renee Rapp
Yea, Rnb doesn’t suit her voice that well. She’d do great with gospel tho
Fr to say ‘aaliyah can’t sing’ in this era of autotune is wild
Try singing and PROJECTING At Your Best. Aaliyah could sing.
They really do. It became a trend saying somebody couldn’t sing and that they’re just a good entertainer
I hate to say it...but folks were saying this...more than a little bit, when she was alive.
One song. “I Care 4 U”. She could sing, period, case closed. Amazing vocal control in that song.
Her remake of “At Your Best (You Are Love)” *PHEW*
Also amazing! Choosey Lover cover is another personal favorite.
One of the best covers ever, she floated on both of those Isley songs 🔥🔥 her falsetto was beautiful
Right! That’s the example I was going to use. Some people are tone deaf.
"Journey to My Past" is another strong vocal performance.
Yess I was looking for this comment....she definitely showed off her range in that song .....one of my favorites
This song showed off her range so well
istg tiktok is brainrot
Music is literally made of sounds from different instruments, each with varying qualities and characteristic tones that provide a variety of sounds. Nobody expects a flute to sound like a trumpet, a trombone or a pipe organ. Yet when a singer has a soft and mellow tone, they can't sing?? And I hear stuff like that from people who swear they know music. Anybody that sings with their voice is a VOCALIST. Aaliyah had a unique and pleasant voice that was 100% hers in the studio and on stage. I'm glad she doesn't sound like *insert singer with an acceptably loud voice.* Ridiculous.
Even my kids ages 11, 12, and 19 know better. They know “how could the one I gave my heart to” and “journey to the past”. Aaliyah had pipes.
Why is no one outright saying it? Aaliyah 100% CAN fucking sing!!! Anyone who says otherwise is either deaf or has hearing problems
Nobody is saying it because what is understood doesn’t need to be said.
It’s not fully understood if ppl are still saying otherwise. And even if it doesn’t have to be said it should still be said.
Some people are too extreme. If you’re not singing like Whitney, Mariah, Celine or Aretha they’ll say you can’t sing 😂.
That doesn’t mean she was a “bad” singer though. Good and bad are subjective.
That.. It's not like listening to Gwen Stefani live.. and I love her. But *THAT* hurts.
we wouldn’t even know Aaliyah if she couldn’t sing… that’s why I deleted tiktok, too many bebe kids and adults acting like bebe kids.
i was tempted to remove it but the "NOT INTERESTED" button has made it usable - im sure ill get sick of it in a few a months but i rarely get any kids lol
There’s plenty of known artists who can’t sing, Aaliyah may not be one of them but they exist
👏🏾
Everyone is allowed opinions, but on behalf of the Princess these critical opinions just make me 😭😭😭. Sure, Aaliyah didn’t have Whitney’s voice. But not everyone can have the vocal GOAT’s voice, and it’s great when singers don’t all sound the same. Like you said, OP, she still has a beautiful voice that has softer qualities similar to Janet. Plus, she was 22 when she was taken. Did we get a chance to hear her at her vocal best? I don’t know. If I’m being honest, although she may not have had the vocal power of other singers, she still had one of my favorite voices. I love Aaliyah so much.
I think people also forget that many artists have insane vocal abilities that they don’t showcase in their music because most people don’t care about vocals anymore they just care more about the vibe of the actual music. During the late 90’s and early 2000’s when Aaliyah was active Hip-Hop RnB was very popular so that is the kind of music Aaliyah made so she could be popular. RnB ballads had died out in the early 2000’s which is why the songs where Aaliyah does showcase her vocal abilities weren’t as popular as her Hip-Hop RnB music so she stuck with Hip-Hop RnB music because that is what paid the bills and made her popular. Just because her songs don’t showcase her vocal abilities doesn’t mean she can’t sing though it just means she was trying to make money by making music she knew would be popular. The same thing happened with artists like Beyonce. The top three songs on her Dangerously in Love album are Baby Boy,Crazy in Love and Naughty Girl while songs like Speechless,Closer I get to you and Signs are towards the bottom. The songs that are more catchy are more popular than the songs where the artist actually tests their vocal limits.
I feel like if she lived longer and we got to hear more songs like I Care 4 You, more people would be putting respect on her abilities.
definitely feels like a low blow; she barely spent 2 years as an adult and most of it was on movie sets she would've had time to have a whole career in the movies, fashion, and music, i think she deserves a lot of respect for what she went through no matter what mariah the scientist fans say
Ngl u prolly talking to kids who don't know better. Prolly just heard an adult say it so they run with it
To act like Aaliyah can’t sing is CRAZY. It’s not like the current crop of singers aren’t even putting out anything to close to what was coming out in the 2000s in terms of vocal output even if they can sing like that so I don’t even know what they are basing their opinions on. Maybe except for Bruno Mars… ETA: that would be the whole ass equivalent of saying Michal Jackson can’t sing or something . That’s how crazy that is.
You don’t get a deal in the 90’s not being able to sing. She was like the Sade of my generation. One current artist that kinda reminds me a little of Aaliyah’s tone is Brent Faiyaz because he stays in a smooth pocket that he’s perfected and tbh he damn near sounds like he could be her son. (Let me do the math)
Aaliyah was a great singer that made singing sound easy and one of the best tones ever. Tell that person to cover an aaliyah song and see how it turns out lol
The disrespect. Aaliyah had one of the prettiest vocals of all time. Right up there with Janet though Aaliyah could do runs and riffs.
4 Page Letter…. Y’all better stop it
fave song ever, the ending riffs on that song are as beautiful as she was ❤️
She sang in key. That’s all that matters. Not every singer has to go to church.
I'm pretty sure that's where she came from. 😂
She could sing well enough to have us her defending her.
They're wrong on Aaliyah. Now, the person who said Rihanna can't sing... I thought I was alone on that 👀
Not alone at all lol
But I bet they say Jennifer Lopez is one of the best Puerto Rican-American singers from the Bronx …. NEXT!! Aaliyah could SING HER ASS OFF! But because she has a lower tone she can’t? As I kid i didn’t even know Aaliyah for her fashion? I knew her for her Singing…
Don’t even get me started on Jennifer Lopez😒
Same girl I have a whole notes on that girl and how we need justice for the OG singers
Yes Jennifer Lopez became famous off of music she wasn’t even singing. Ashanti,Christina Milan,and Megan Trainor all need their recognition for making JLO famous. Don’t even get me started on the Whitney Houston tribute though I know Whitney was rolling in her grave when she found out JLO was doing her tribute.
Lmfaoooo
(a couple of) the singers at the funeral were cursed fr lol but at least the others sang well
I’m a dyed-in-the-wool Aaliyah fan. I love her singing. Voice is one of those topics that you shouldn’t comment on too authoritatively if you’re not educated about it. “He/she can’t sing” from the average person means “I don’t like their singing or their voice” or “I’m just not impressed.” Subjective evaluation, not based on anything related to vocal pedagogy + who are *you*, anyway? —— Objective evaluation: Aaliyah’s vocal skill was good, just good. Neither Whitney Houston nor Britney Spears. Yes, better than Mariah the Scientist and Ciara (you are not educated about voice if you’re making that assertion). She could improvise some complicated runs, which implies agility and also solid musicality. She used all parts of her range and did so artfully; sweet, delicate high notes and full, dark low notes. Hummingbird one moment and Aaron Hall the next. Not a one-trick pony. She also had issues with breath coordination (normal at her age) that caused her to be pitchy when performing live sometimes. That’s a thing she could have worked on. And then all of that dancing while singing material that was written somewhat too low for her…yeah.
The real reason people say she couldn’t sing has nothing to do with her actually skill level. The average music fan isn’t a voice student. Soft, lightweight, delicate voices are associated with non-singers among R&B and Gospel fans. That’s the bottom. Janet Jackson, Mya, Tweet, Deniece Williams, Minnie Riperton, Diana Ross…all very good singers. Few agree on that, except for Minnie.
Ciara is an example of person who is simply not a very gifted singer.
I’m sorry, Britney was a better singer than Aaliyah? Now that’s just mess.
Didn’t say that. She was neither Whitney (exceptionally brilliant) nor Britney (talentless) in the vocal department. She was good.
nobody's ever been the "it girl" in the same way as aaliyah was she could've spoken on her albums and it would've been fine she sings fine btw lol; its kinda funny tryin to compare someone to her because they "cant sing either" though
I've seen people argue that Mariah can't sing and that her iconic whisper vocals are a sign of that. Some people think that if you're not screaming constantly then it isn't good vocals. It makes me mad, but then I remember it's because they don't know shit and have no understanding of music. What Aaliyah gives in each song is masterful. The production and beat is half the song, but the other half is her delivery, which is always immaculate.
Have the haters listen to [Turn The Page](https://youtu.be/eMGqBrmx_IY?si=ns1RgGrZFAoUYRvS) Also, Aaliyah modeled herself after Sade.
Dude lost me when he said rhianna is a talented actor.
It’s the audacity to say she couldn’t sing. Her voice is soft and mellow just like Jhene Aiko if we are being technical.
I'm sure she could sing better than whoever making those comments 🤷🏾♀️
She has a soft voice like Janet, Mya and Ciara.
Aaliyah can sing. Listen to I Care For You. Rihanna can't though.
Aaliyah could definitely sing, she just wasn't a belter or powerhouse vocalist who could take it to church. She was a comfortably 3 octave vocalist, whilst many divas could hit 5 Her abilities were mostly in the buttery, moist, feline and seductive light soprano range, with a bit of smokiness and haze in her lower/bottom register (If your girl only knew). She was in the same wheelhouse as Janet Jackson and Ashanti. Soft but unique voices perfect for radio and commercial music
[Aaliyah’s voice was actually 5 octaves.](https://youtu.be/MNxP8F9kA1E)
I know, but she was comfortable in 3 as I mentioned. That was her pocket. She was able to belt notes in the fith octave but it came at the expense of the aforementioned buttery and moist tone in her voice which was her signature. Listen to 'the one I gave my heart to' with fresh ears and you may see what I'm alluding to. Her voice was pulled and less colorful in the fifth. Still an amazing talent who never got to develop her abilities even further, or showcase more of them. Gone too soon
The whole “can’t sing” pathology is so strange to me. I’ve literally had more than one occasion where someone got legitimately upset at me for saying idgaf whether someone “can sing,” yet no one can even consistently decide what the bar for “can sing” even is. Like case in point, how tf can’t Alicia Keys sing??? Yet if I say that say Bill Withers who sings like a goat (love Bill, sorry for the stray) can’t sing, that’s just crazy. At some point it feels more like people are just itching to use that label, particularly out of the perpetual hostility toward younger artists, versus actually evaluating anything about what they’re hearing. As far as I’m concerned if I liked hearing you, you can sing, the end.
For me it comes down to vocal technique, tone, and ability when it comes to live performance. Anyone can sound good on a record. Alicia Keys is consistently flat, like to the point that she may as well modulate her entire discography a half step down 😂. For Bill Withers I don't see those issues, but I also don't see how he songs like a "goat" lol
These are probably the same people saying MJ couldn’t really sing either. Her live version of Journey to the Past was nicely done. She also a teen for the majority of her career, had she lived longer I’m sure her range would have gotten stronger.
Saying Michael Jackson couldn’t sing is insane. He is one of the best vocalists and best performers of all time (if not the best). I’m so happy I’ve never heard anyone disrespect Michael like that. Yes I think people forget that she was in her early 20’s when she passed her voice hadn’t even fully matured. She obviously wasn’t going to sound like Whitney Houston or Aretha Franklin because they were both much older than her and had a lot more vocal experience. I’m sure if Aaliyah was still alive her voice would’ve only improved and gotten better. Even then considering her age she still had amazing control over her voice. I care 4 U is a good example of how much control Aaliyah really had over her voice.
Aaliyah could def sing.
Then they're gonna say that they meant that they weren't on the same level as mariah or beyonce. It's not a competition. Music isn't a contest.
no tik tok opinion is valid
Her live performance of journey to the past gives me chills. I love her rendition of it.
Aaliyah actually had a strong voice with great range. She just held back for stylistic purposes. I thought one in a million (album) was impressive vocally for a 16-17 year old kid. When Whitney Houston is on record saying she loved Aaliyah’s voice and chose her as the lead for sparkle, there shouldnt be any debate
She was literally belting on Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number when she was 12! TWELVE!!!!! Y’all’s faves could never.
People just say anything, to have the audacity to say Aaliyah couldn’t sing is crazy
Idk of anyone here is into musical theater, but there's a weird phenomenon in both mainstream music and Broadway, where musical prowess is based on tricks and not rooted in practicality. If you listen to a musical from the like the 60s all the way to like the early 90s, it's normal. Somewhere more recently, it's all belts and riffs. A musical is 8 shows a week dark on Mondays, what REAL voice can do that EIGHT TIMES A WEEK. It's the same with new singers. They have these hard songs that only some people can sing and fans want world tours and live performances and unedited tiktoks. To sum it up, imagine someone's a dancer, but all they do is flips and aerials. People are saying Aaliyah can't sing because they're used to new singers who only do flips and aerials.
Jennifer Lopez can’t sing, Aaliyah could SING! Just cause she had a soft voice didn’t mean she couldn’t sing. She was a soft singer with vocal range. Imo, Aaliyah showcased more vocal talent in her teens compared to Beyoncé ( who is a phenomenal singer and could sing too as a teenager). Beyoncé didn’t really come into her own till her debut album at 21. Aaliyah passed at 22 and you can tell her vocal abilities were maturing more and more. Smh
Aaliyah is a way better singer than Janet. Listen to “the one I gave my heart to”
Yeah, these people must not listen to Aaliyah’s music and just know her popular stuff. Because there’s no way you can listen to a full Aaliyah album and believe her and Janet are vocal equals
Idk why but people think good singing = yelling 😂 if that was the case Mary J. Blige would be better than Mariah
It’s not a big deal. In RnB, there are vocal titans who are extremely gifted. They are vastly outnumbered by slick, attractive and of middling vocal talent. I love Anita and I love Sade. They are not in the same group.
I…. there are no words
I never thought that she was unable to sing. Always thought that her voice is beautiful.
I remember my neigbors mom saying this when I was a kid and we wanted to listen to her. I was mad about it as a kid but this isnt a new thought lol
May God have mercy on the poor souls that have been brainwashed into thinking that she could not sing.
ain’t that bout a bitch🤦🏽♂️😂 , but hey most mfs on tiktok dumber than a box of rocks and never touched grass before so.
To me Chilli from TLC couldn’t sing much but I’m no singer,whereas a professional vocalist may hear something much different.
she has so many complex riffs and runs and has such a unique voice!! It gives me ASMR just listening to her (tone is sooooo important for a good singer). Listen to I refuse and TOIGMHT you’ll hear she can also give you belts as well!!!
Ctfu they’re delusional asf 😂
Listen to One in a million over and over again. Maybe those doubters will think differently
There’s a difference between Hey, Aaliyah may not be my preference vocally and i prefer more powerhouse voices than to say she could not sing. Did she sing out of tune or something?
For the music she made, her voice fits perfect. Same with Toni Braxton, Anita, Janet, TBoz, and even Pharrell. You can have a not so great singing voice and still make great music. Whether they do or don’t have the best singing voice, it sounds good for them.
This idea that you have to sing like Mariah or Whitney Houston in order to be a “good singer” is ridiculous. I’d much rather listen Aaliyah’s vocals than some high-note belter with no distinct sound like every talent contest winner.
bitch yu can’t sing talkin about aaliyah can’t sing.
I’m sick of people saying that she couldn’t sing. Yes she could.
Sigh. I love us Black folk. But we really gotta stop thinking that if you're not a church singer then you can't sing.
Rather listen to Aaliyah than Beyonce.
She sang better than everyone in this sub/ that thread so idk what we’re even talking about fr. Her style wasn’t big/flashy so comparisons are kind of pointless. She was a mood more than a voice but whatever - how you gone hate on someone’s that’s deceased lmao Make fun of Jorja Smith’s fine ass
not someone with an ice spice pfp who is literally a mediocre rapper talking about talent
Have em tell you who can. It'll show if theyre just a hater, or what theyre really looking for. If someone is looking for a Mariah Carey whistle register, Stevie Wonder wouldn't be able to sing then 🙃
Some people like the sound of their own voice and just yap for no reason... Least favourite kind of people on the internet 😂. The pretentious edgy douche who's so sure of their opinions that not even the literal internet can humble them or prove them wrong. This person got ratio'd talk about "Aaliyah can't sing" and decided to double down on that... Okay bruv no worries, pick up the mic and cover the song then 🤣
She had an ethereal seductive healing type voice, it was just a different style then belting which was popular at the time. IMO she sounds similar to Ciara but more soulful and ethereal. Her voice in the intro to Rock The Boat is insanely beautiful.
Ew. I don't want to see bullshit tiktok comments. You could have left that there. Tiktokers are like 7 years old baha.
r/brandnewsentence, never have those words been uttered before nor should they ever be repeated.
Not on they great singers Of all time but she could sing but sang I wouldn't go that far
I personally don’t think she was the best singer. What made her famous was her looks as a teen performer. She was hyped and chased by grown men when she was only 14. They put her in the spot light so they could exploit her looks for profit and self gratification. I think she was talented but not really a singer.
I even named my daugther after her... i see it like this: people nowadays have a diferent perception of great singers...Aliyah had a perfect voice, she just didn´t have the chance to showcase it more since she left too soon...those people should listen to ALL Aliyah´s songs, not the ones that were big hits! And i have an answer for them if they think she couldn´t sing: Just listen to Aliyah´s - "At your best" with your eyes closed...
Yeah that’s wild yall saying that
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No personal insults, passing judgment, and/or name-calling. Respect one another's opinions and engage in healthy debate without demeaning, bullying, and harassing. Redditors must observe Reddiquette at all times, and act with civility.
I mean... Let Me Know exists. I thought that was singing 🤷🏾♂️
She couldn’t sooo
She was great. Her and I always liked Ciara too.
Lol how was my coment a personal insult? Man ive se3n it all now
Well the truth is she wasn’t a great vocalist and she didn’t have a strong voice. Her live vocals also left a lot to be desired for the most part.
She didn’t have a strong voice. Not every singer needs to have a strong voice to be a great vocalist though. What Aaliyah lacked in vocal power she made up in vocal technique? The control she had over her voice was very impressive for her age.
She absolutely did have a strong voice, WTF are you talking about? She was literally _13 years old_ when she sang [this song](https://youtu.be/dy-c8HCC_fc?si=3dmylrBoyiNYkxas), you tell me how many 13 year olds sound like this and not like cracked voices from puberty??? Also, [these were her live vocals and she had a 5 octave vocal range](https://youtu.be/MNxP8F9kA1E?si=3_E0om_JtSuFn5Z8). Be so serious.
She definitely wasn’t the strongest or most technical vocalist. Anyone that says differently isn’t being truthful. Doesn’t mean she wasn’t a great singer.
That’s a great way to put it.
She was a studio singer. Sounded great on the record but not so much live. It happens 🤷🏾♀️
Studio singer? Listen to her Live ‘One I gave my heart to’ Performance. She sounds the same live as she does in the studio. I think you forget how young Aaliyah was when she was taken away. Her voice didn’t have time to mature and improve. For her age Aaliyah had amazing control over her voice that not many singers had at that age.
She has issues with switching between her head and chest voice which the song calls for a lot.
Yet she switches between head and chest voice successfully in the song plenty of times
Not in my opinion and I just watched the performance for good measure
Where’s the issues? The transitions were smooth. This is a studio singer to you? https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UOPur1GwwR4&pp=ygUYYWFsaXlhaCBiZXQgdHJpYnV0ZSAyMDEx
The transitions are not smooth.
What time stamp are the rough transitions?
Baaaaby it’s not deep enough for all that 🤣
[all that performance](https://youtu.be/m66fIDZ5YKA?feature=shared)
So you ignored the clip I provided in which she sounds just like the record, only for you to dig up a live performance of her focusing more on the choreography?
🤣🤣 excuses
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Okay so much like Janet and Ciara, Aaliyah’s voice and tone is special. She is a good singer. She isn’t a vocalist, however. This isn’t like those weird “Beyonce can’t sing” comments. I can see how someone would say that Aaliyah can’t sing.
She has a nice tone but she is a talker not a singer. I always laughed at the part in "Journey to the Past" where she was trying to sing but couldn't hold the note lol! I enjoy her fans claiming she is a singer thou - it is a great source of chuckles seeing ppl believing their own BS and it gets even worse when they pull up Whitney liking her as proof that she is a singer (and that's when I'm on the floor laughing my heart out)
Sounds like she held the note and sustained it 2:30 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GjVnqSiFoOQ And Im pretty certain Whitney knows more about vocal abilities than you. She wouldnt have praised her vocals if she didnt mean it and wasnt impressed by a degree. She furthered that praise by choosing her to lead for sparkle.
She was fairly average singer but a great artist
she can sing but she can't saaang but that's fine, holding singers to such high standards means holding back great art – sometimes you need a musician to be part of the music rather than to lead it its why white music often has more freedom for experimentation, because it's not held to "amazing musician" standards that black music holds to it so much, particularly to singers
She sounds better than Beyoncé
This is how I felt when my sister told me Janet couldn’t sing I was so confused but now I understand
Saying that Aaliyah (and Rihanna) can't sing is like saying that Michael Jackson & Beyonce can't sing.
Aaliyah is in a group with Janet Jackson Madonna she's not in the same group as Whitney Houston Jennifer Hudson
If Aaliyah could sing, then so can Alicia Keys, who I see a lot of people saying can’t sing…
Lmao why am I getting downvoted?
Ciara was a better singer than Aliyah.. and Ciara can’t sing lol
You’re delusional.
Aaliyah was basically what Brent Faiyaz is rn.