Category: aaliyah

The Legacy of Fatima Robinson: From Aaliyah to ‘The Color Purple’

In the year 2023, pop culture witnessed some of its most unforgettable moments, thanks to the creative genius of one woman: Fatima Robinson. From curating mesmerizing performances in music and film with artists such as Aaliyah, the late King of Pop, and more–Robinson’s impact on hip-hop culture cannot be overstated.

30 Years Of Non-Stop Talent

Throughout her illustrious 30-year career, Fatima Robinson has choreographed unforgettable dance routines for renowned musicians such as Aaliyah, Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, and more. 

From Aaliyah’s unforgettable videos like “Rock The Boat” and “Are You That Somebody” to Michael Jackson’s 90s classic “Remember The Time” and working as the Director of Choreography for Beyoncé’s groundbreaking Renaissance World Tour, Robinson’s influence is evident. Her ability to curate a variety of dance styles has left an indelible mark on some of the most iconic music videos in R&B and hip-hop culture.

It’s worth mentioning that this isn’t Robinson’s first collaboration with the “CUFF IT” singer. She was also involved in the singer’s performance at the 2022 Oscars alongside Blue Ivy, where they performed “Be Alive.”

Dancing In Hollywood

Robinson’s talents extend beyond music. Her involvement in other notable films, including Dreamgirls and Save the Last Dance, further cements her status as a creative force in the entertainment industry. 

More notably, Robinson takes part in The Color Purple, which is marked as the second-biggest release of a Christmas Day film. According to Entertainment Weekly, it’s a project she holds “dear” to her as she stated:

“Out of my 34 years of choreographing and dancing, I watched this movie and for the first time I didn’t critque it. I didn’t feel like, ‘Oh I wish I would’ve done that. Oh, I should have moved that over there. A lot of times I’m very critical of my work and this is the first time where I finally said, ‘That is a masterpiece.’’

Remembered for her work with a recent role as the choreographer for the acclaimed film The Color Purple, many fans have granted Robinson her flowers. As @DollarBeKnowing expressed, “A Fatima Robinson documentary needs to happen. Sooner rather than later. Thank you in advance.” @She_DreadzMe praised Robinson’s recent work in “The Color Purple,” stating, “Give her flowers because this woman went from ‘Remember The Time’ to ‘Are You That Somebody’ to the ‘Renaissance Tour’ to TCP.”

Queen Latifah’s Impact On Hip-Hop

While Fatima Robinson’s impact on the culture is undeniable, she is not the only Black figure who has left a significant mark. Queen Latifah, a hidden influencer in hip-hop culture, shares a similar role in shaping the industry’s landscape, just like Robinson.

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Aaliyah Fans Seek Justice For Late Singer’s Death 22 Years Later

Aaliyah, the celebrated R&B star who tragically passed away in a plane crash over two decades ago, is at the center of a new conversation. Started by her fans, they demand that her death case be revisited. 

R.I.P. Aaliyah

Known as the Princess of R&B, Aaliyah has consistently remained a trending topic. Nevertheless, while filming a music video for one of her hit songs, “Rock The Boat,” the talented artist tragically passed away at the young age of 22 in a plane crash in the Bahamas on August 25, 2001.

In the collective memory of her fans, Aaliyah’s death remains fraught with doubts and questions even twenty-two years later. 

Many supporters find the circumstances surrounding her death to be “fishy” and “shady.” Recently, a social media user named  

@stopfeenin ignited the conversation, writing:

“They need to revisit Aaliyah’s death case again— since everyone’s tea is resurfacing. Aaliyahs uncle Barry needs to be re-investigated for receiving 90 million from her death. Word around curb was she was allegedly about to leave his label once the album dropped. But he signed a liability agreement on 8/20/2001 (five months before her passing), saying that if anything bad were to happen to Aaliyah that Blackground wouldn’t be held responsible.”

‘Am I Supposed To Say That On TV?’

Allegedly, in a release of liability agreement purportedly signed days before Aaliyah’s death, the August 20, 2001 agreement stipulated, 

“That instinct shall be responsible and shall assume liability for any and all loss or damage in connection with the production of the Video excerpt to the extent arising out of Artist’s [Aaliyah’s] and/or company’s [Blackground’s] negligence or willful misconduct.” 

According to purported sources, an associate of Barry Hankerson named Ayatollah Marv alleged in an interview with Cam Capone News that Barry received a staggering $90 million after Aaliyah’s tragic death. He stated:

“Barry, when Aaliyah died, he got paid 90 million dollars for her death. Am I supposed to say that on TV?”

Damon Dash Speaks

Another contentious claim emerged from the late songstress’ former boyfriend, Damon Dash, who alleged that a plane meant for Aaliyah and her team’s return from the Bahamas was taken by director Hype Williams, who was also responsible for her last music video, “Rock the Boat.”

Dash revealed to Entertainment Tonight that Aaliyah had expressed discomfort with the plane, saying:

“She [Aaliyah] said I don’t like this plane. And I was like well don’t get on it. And she was like well I got to because I got work to do. She got on the plane and she had a very serious fear of planes in general. So she had to overcome a fear to get on that plane.” Dame continued, “But what I was really more tight about was that I heard that Lenny Kravitz had offered her a jet and then Hype took the jet.”

Fans Rally For Aaliyah

As fans delve deeper into Aaliyah’s death, their frustration and mistrust intensify. Social media platforms have become a space for these emotions to unravel. One fan stated, “I’ve always said it, Barry Hankerson is a money-hungry devil… Truly a sick man.” Another fan @mistamonotone wrote, “At this point, I’m willing to believe damn near anything about the music business. What a cesspool of nefarious, greedy, and narcissistic (mostly) men. With that said, I hope Aaliyah’s death was truly an accident.” 

Fans have also resurfaced a video clip of allegedly Aaliyah’s former bodyguard from the years 2000 to 2001. The bodyguard stated in the clip, “They killed her!” 

Following the release of the clip one fan named @k.orocky stated, “I believe it & then kept her music off of so many platforms for a long time. It was like they were trying to diminish her legacy,” referring to the moment when Aaliyah’s music became accessible on streaming platforms in 2021 after a hiatus of two decades. 

Crunchy Black Calls Out Gangsta Boo’s Brother

In the quest for truth and justice, fans’ calls for answers extend beyond Aaliyah’s case. The recent passing of Gangsta Boo, a member of Three Six Mafia, has sparked similar demands for clarity. Crunchy Black, another member of the group, has alleged that her death was not an accident and openly implicates her brother in the matter.

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From Beyonce To Aaliyah: Songs Fans Probably Didn’t Know Were Covers

Many fan-favorite tunes are covers of earlier melodies created by pioneers that may have been unknown by some fans. Some include top hits sung by chart-topping artists such as Aaliyah, Beyoncé, Salt-N-Pepa, and more.

Beyoncé – ‘If I Were A Boy’

Queen Bey surprised fans with her 2008 hit “If I Were A Boy,” a cover of BC Jean and Toby Gad’s song. This rendition reached No. 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and garnered multi-platinum certifications in various countries.

Salt- N- Pepa’s ‘Whatta Man’

Salt N Pepa’s timeless hit “Whatta Man” was a cover of Linda Lyndell’s 1968 original. The duo’s version reached impressive positions on the Billboard Hot 100, the UK Singles Chart, and the UK Dance Singles Chart.

Aaliyah’s ‘At Your Best’

Aaliyah’s 1994 hit “At Your Best” was a beautiful rendition of The Isley Brothers’ 1976 smash hit “At Your Best (You Are Love).” The single spent weeks on the Billboard charts, peaking at No. 3 in September 1994.

Destiny’s Child – ‘Emotion’

Destiny’s Child, the iconic girl group, also tried their hand at covering songs. In 2002, they released their version of Samantha Sang’s 1978 hit, “Emotion,” which became a top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Lauryn Hill’s ‘Killin’ Me Softly’

Lauryn Hill captivated audiences in 1996 with her rendition of Roberta Flack’s “Killing Me Softly.” This cover topped the Mainstream Top 40 chart, leaving an indelible mark on music history.

Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You”

Whitney Houston’s 1992 rendition of “I Will Always Love You” is considered a classic. 

However, not many people know that the original belongs to Dolly Parton. Houston’s emotional tribute to Bobby Brown took the song to new heights.

Aretha Franklin’s “Respect”

Aretha Franklin’s iconic anthem “Respect” won her a Grammy and became a major feminist anthem. But it was originally written, and performed by the late music great Otis Redding in 1965.

These surprising covers remind us of the innovation and creativity that artists bring to their craft. While making a song, they pay homage to the original creators and introduce these timeless melodies to a new generation of listeners.

What’s The Problem? 

In the world of hip-hop, sampling has been a long-standing tradition. 

However, there are concerns about the overuse of sampling by newer artists, which some argue leads to a lack of originality in the genre. Hip-hop fans are divided on the issue, with some appreciating the homage paid to older tracks, while others feel it stifles the growth and creativity of the genre. 

Goodie Mob Gets Real

Sampling has been a prominent element of hip-hop, and artists like Goodie Mob have witnessed its impact. In an exclusive interview with SOHH, members of Goodie Mob discussed their perspectives on hip-hop sampling, the state of the modern hip-hop world, and the influence of Drake’s success.

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MTV’s 2023 VMAs: Hip-Hop Legends Overlooked For Video Vanguard Award

At this year’s 2023 VMAs, Colombian artist Shakira was honored with the Video Vanguard Award. While many fans applauded the decision, others felt MTV missed an opportunity to pay tribute to hip-hop’s 50th anniversary by not honoring a hip-hop artist for the award. SOHH, here’s a compiled list of hip-hop artists who could have been […]

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Remembering Aaliyah: 22 Years Since Her Passing

On August 25, SOHH reflects on the untimely passing of Aaliyah, the musical powerhouse who left an everlasting imprint on the world. The influential singer passed away when she was 22, along with eight other team members, on this fateful day in 2001. SOHH intends to provide lesser-known facts about the singer that may have […]

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Remembering Magoo: The Maverick Who Shaped Hip-Hop

Virginia’s own Magoo may be gone, but his legacy is a testament to the boundless creativity and innovation that define the music world. Through collaborations, experimentation, and his role in shaping musical alliances, he solidified his place in the pantheon of hip-hop legends.SOHH, here’s a tribute to the late great Magoo. A Hip-Hop Mastermind Magoo’s […]

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Top 5 Iconic Hip-Hop Songs That Keep On Giving

Hip-hop is no stranger to sampling, and some songs have become timeless sources of inspiration for newer artists. From Khia’s explicit anthem “My Neck My Back” to Aaliyah’s mesmerizing “One In A Million,” these classic tracks continue influencing and shaping the rap scene.  “My Neck My Back” By Khia Khia’s 2001 hit “My Neck My […]

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