Late singer Aaliyah’s musical catalogue is set to hit digital platforms for the first time later this year.
Currently, only the star’s debut LP ‘Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number’ is live on download and streaming platforms, alongside cuts from the ‘Romeo Must Die’ soundtrack and compilation albums.
However, it’s been announced the singer’s former label Blackground Records, which was founded by her uncle Barry Hankerson, will re-release its entire catalogue digitally after securing a new partnership with independent label EMPIRE.
“Blackground Records has always been about independence and ownership,” he said in a statement. From day one, we set out to shake up the music industry and partnering with a company like EMPIRE continues that legacy.
“This is Blackground Records 2.0.”
‘One In A Million’, Aaliyah’s 1996 album, will arrive on August 20, ahead of its 25th anniversary, while third LP ‘ΛΛLIYΛH’ will debut on September 10.
Compilation albums ‘I Care 4 U’ and ‘Ultimate Aaliyah’ will be added on October 8, while each LP will get a physical CD and Vinyl release, including standard and limited editions.
Of the decision, he told Billboard: “It has been a long time since the fans could enjoy Aaliyah and other artists on our catalogue, and there has been a lot of changes in the music business since we took the music off the market.
“We wanted to be sure to be with the right people, the right executives, and to give ourselves the right time to do the different things.
“So when you add all that up, it was a couple of years before we could even really consider putting the music out.”
While fans have been overjoyed by the news, Aaliyah’s estate has slammed the move, with its attorney Paul LiCalsi telling the publication Blackground had “failed to account to the estate with any regularity in accordance with her recording contracts”.
“In addition, the estate was not made aware of the impending release of the catalogue until after the deal was complete and plans were in place,” he insisted.
“The estate has demanded that Blackground provide a full account of its past earnings, and full disclosure of the terms of its new deal to distribute Aaliyah’s long embargoed music.”
Alongside records from Aaliyah, who passed away aged 22 in a 2001 airplane accident in the Bahamas, music from JoJo, Toni Braxton and more will also be made available online.
