The hip-hop world is mourning as they have lost a legendary influence. Rapper Magoo has reportedly died at the age of 50 on Sunday. Magoo, born as Melvin Barcliff, was best known as one-half of the hip-hop duo – Timbaland & Magoo. Barcliff’s cause of death has not been released to the public yet. Neither his family nor Timbaland and Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliot have released a statement.
Timbaland & Magoo’s album cover for Indecent Proposal.
Magoo’s Musical Background
Timbaland & Magoo are from Norfolk, Virginia. The rap duo met when they were teenagers. They grew popular in 1997 with their debut single, “Up Jumps da’ Boogie.” The hit single featured Missy Elliot and the late Aaliyah. These artists became known as The Superfriends. The dynamic duo had ties with Larry Live and Pharrell Williams prior forming a group called SBI (Surrounded by Idiots). Magoo had written on Ginuwine albums and Missy Elliot’s debut, Supa Dupa Fly.
Is Magoo Responsible For Missy Elliot’s Iconic Nickname?
The “Work” rapper allegedly was gifted her nickname “Misdemeanor” from Magoo. Elliot revealed in an interview, “It was my high school friend Magoo who gave me the nickname because he said that it was a crime for someone to possess so many talents.” Barcliff later introduced Missy and Tim.
From left to right: Timbaland, Missy Elliot, Ginuwine, Aaliyah and Magoo aka “The Superfriends.” Image source: YouTube/”Up Jumps da Boogie.”
Heartbreaking Tributes To The Virginia Rapper
Music producer Digital Black broke the news in a social media post. The R&B star shared the legendary duo’s album cover of 1997 “Welcome to Our World.” Black added a heartbreaking caption reading, “Man can’t believe this RIH Magoo damn big bro wasn’t ready for this at all #superfriends.” R&B legend Ginuwine dedicated a post to Magoo as well. “Totally one of the best ever in my eyes,” said the “Pony” singer. He added that the love has always been there and will always be there, even though they did not speak to each other a lot.
We send our condolences to his family and friends.
Aaliyah‘s music is timeless. Not only is Aaliyah’s music timeless but, her voice is timeless. As such, musicians have always done posthumous collaborations with her. Every time they do so, it sounds like she’s still alive. Even teenagers in 2021 are familiar with her sound and aesthetic.
Thanks to Aaliyah’s uncle, Barry Hankerson, fans have access to her albums on all music platforms. That comes after only having access to most of her music through YouTube. He also promised that there will be a new album coming featuring artists such as Drake, Chris Brown, and Future.
While fans await Aaliyah’s upcoming album, The Weeknd dropped a new song with her called “Poison.”
Click here to hear “Poison”:
“I’m so excited to share this new song by Aaliyah and the very talented The Weeknd,” said Barry Hankerson. “I wanted her adoring fans to get a special gift before the holidays and felt it was the perfect time to release a never-before-heard offering.”
It’s also worth mentioning that Hankerson is the founder of the legendary Blackground Records. Aaliyah, among other iconic singers, was signed to the label.
Naturally, Aaliyah fans have a lot to say about “Poison.” Here is what they are saying on Twitter, for example:
The Weeknd sampled Aaliyah’s “Rock The Boat” earlier in his career on “What You Need.” The song appeared on his 2012 album Trilogy. Nine years later, he comes back with a legit collaboration that might just hit the billboard charts.
The 2021 Soul Train Awards proved to be an immersive experience bathing its viewers in an afterglow of r&b, funk, and soul. Performances were powerful, scintillating, and sexy.
Setting things Off Proper.
Things were off and popping from the beginning, with Silk Sonic moving and grooving the crowd. Their undeniable funky sound, smooth moves, and retro look were picture perfect. Their set was proof it would be a night of incomparable flyness.Silk Sonic has been blazing the stage from the American Music Awards to Soul Train. Although the group didn’t make the show, they found a way to set off the night. They took it back from their 70’s looks to their signature dance transitions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWfIoQoKZ8Q
Hosts Tichina Arnold and Tisha Campbell kept the fires stoked with their performance. Their showcase reminded the crowd of the music, passion, and purpose that solidified Soul Train as a cultural force. They took us down memory lane with soul classics such as Martha and Vandella’s ‘Dancing in the Streets’ and Jackson Five’s ‘Dancing Machine. And a special performance by El Debarge put a bit of rhythm in our night.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZbuWBy1Ltc
Soul Train Center Stage
Ari Lennox looking exquisitely angelic gave a sultry performance of “Pressure.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-OcGAe8JOs
Then the show took a praise break with an uplifting performance of “Yaweh” by Fred Hammond.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buX2NKKD8sM
Marrzz deliverance of a smooth and melodic hypnotic vocal left us with the assurance no one could stand in the shadow of her orbit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r83poF1nQ6s
Leon Bridges brought in the wow factor with some retro bedroom soul reminiscent of singers of yesteryear like Teddy Pendergrass.
And Summer Walker didn’t disappoint with duet partner Ari Lennox. These soulful vocalists gave light to the new age of soul music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdTpQ-URyTw
Soul Train Soul Cypher
The Soul Cypher had the crowd vibing with some of the industry’s favorite soul singers and D-Nice on the turntables. The performer’s blending of old-school flavor with a relevant twist was everything. Musiq Soulchild, Jac Ross, Koryn Hawthorne, Elle Varner, and Tone Stith’s flawless harmonies were amazing. In addition, their subtle and powerful tribute to Aaliyah was praiseworthy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZbuWBy1Ltc
Special performances
Ashanti stole the show with some of her greatest hits. Her performance was perfect in every way yet wholly complete with former label mates Fat Joe and one-time duet partner Ja Rule.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqDuiqThMZI
Then, an old favorite, Maxwell, signed, sealed, and delivered his performance with matchless swagger. His command of the stage gave everyone a little something-something to remember.
What better way to end than as it started? Silk Sonic left us all ‘Smokin out the Window.’ The 2021 Soul Train Awards was a celebration Don Cornelius would be proud of. It was indeed a night flowing with love, peace, and soul.
R. Kelly attends a hearing in Chicago, in 2019. (Erin Hooley/Chicago Tribune/TNS/Sipa USA)
R. Kelly Convicted of Racketeering and Sex Trafficking
After two days of deliberations, 54 year old R&B singer R Kelly has been found guilty on all charges of racketeering and sex trafficking. The verdict was read this afternoon in a Brooklyn federal Court, by Judge Ann Donnelly. The charges includes one count of racketeering, which has 14 underlying acts that includes kidnapping, bribery, sex trafficking and forced labor. Kelly has also been charged with eight counts of violating the Mann Act. The Mann Act makes it illegal to transport anyone across state lines for any immoral purpose. Kelly was found guilty on all counts, but found not guilty of three racketeering acts that were related to radio intern, that accused him of drugging and sexually assaulting her.
R Kelly’s The Trial
Kelly’s trial lasted almost seven weeks. The jury consisted of seven men and five women. The federal prosecutors were able to successfully prove to the jury that Kelly was indeed the head of a criminal enterprise. He employed a number of people including bodyguards, to lure girls, boys and women to him for his sexual gratification. Throughout the trial, a total of 50 witnesses testified. Five of those witnesses were victims. There was a sixth victim identified as the late R&B singer Aaliyah, who died in a plane crash on August 25, 2001.
R&B Singer Aaliyah Identified as R. Kelly’s 6th Victim
Aaliyah was at the forefront of the trial. A witness told the jury that she witnessed R. Kelly performing a sexual act on Aaliyah when she was just 14 years old. This was said to have happened a year before Kelly illegally married her at the age of 15. It was said that Kelly bribed a government worker into getting Aaliyah a fake identification card so that he could secretly marry Aaliyah, who he thought was pregnant with his child at the time.
Testimony
According to the accuser’s testimony in court, they were ordered to call Kelly “Daddy.” They were locked in rooms and had to get permission to leave out and use the bathroom. They were subjected to threats, punishments, violent spankings, and perverse and sadistic acts. Kelly forced one accuser to give him oral sex as he kept a gun by his side. He forced the accusers to have sex with others, as he videotaped the acts. Some of the victims claimed that Kelly gave them herpes without disclosing the fact that he had the STD.
“Mr. Kelly is the Worst
Gloria Allred, an attorney who represented three of the six accusers has been practicing law for 47 years. She said that she has pursued many predators that have committed crimes against women and children. However, of all the predators that she has pursued, Kelly is the worst. Allred is the same high profile attorney that represented 28 of the women who accused Bill Cosby. She also represented an accuser of Harvey Weinstein. Weinstein’s career ended after allegations of rape and other criminal sexual misconduct.
Decades of Allegations
The Guilty verdict comes 13 years after Kelly was acquitted of child pornography charges at an Illinois State trial. There has been more than 25 years of accusations against R. Kelly. His arrest came about after an agent saw the “Surviving R. Kelly docuseries that detailed decades of sexual abuse allegations against R. Kelly. The allegations included him urinating on a 14 year old girl in a widely circulated video. The women used their voices to speak up against Kelly, and it has led to a conviction.
R Kelly Denies All Charges
After the “Surviving R Kelly docuseries aired, Kelly broke his silence in an interview with “CBS This Morning” host Gayle King. During the interview, Kelly became emotional an unhinged. He claimed that he had been “assassinated”, and “buried alive.” Now that Kelly has been convicted on all charges, he faces up to 20 years in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for May 4, 2022. An attorney for Kelly has said that they are considering filing an appeal, and are disappointed in the verdict. Kelly faces separate charges in Federal court in Chicago, where he was indicted by the state attorney in February 2019, for aggravated criminal sexual abuse involving four victims, three of whom were minors. Kelly also faces assault and state charges in Minnesota. He was charged in 2019 with engaging in prostitution with a minor.
Written by chi_journalist
Follow me at @chi_journalist on Twitter & Instagram
One in a Million’s re-release on streaming platforms broke a few records proving her song is just as live now as it was in 1996. According to a retro issue of The Hollywood Reporter, in 1996 “At eight weeks ‘One in a Million’ marked Aaliyah’s longest reign at No.1 on mainstream R&B/Hip-hop.”
But she was unable to move beyond 18 on the Billboard 200. Now, all that has changed.
Due to the success of the re-release, Aaliyah’s One in a Million cracked the top 10 of the Billboard 200, according to popglitz.net.
It’s All Love for Aaliyah’s One in a Million
It has been some time since fans could access the album digitally, decades to be exact. However, upon its release to steaming fans showed the album of the late and talented R&B princess much love. According to an August 25 issue of RollingStone, “By Wednesday’s chart, which includes streams and digital sales from Friday through Monday, the album had seen 7.7 million on-demand audio streams in the U.S. It was also the second biggest album of the week so far by digital sales, with 6,700.” Those numbers stand as proof of Aaliyah’s solid artistry and die-hard fandom.
Age ain’t Nothing but a Number
Despite her age, Aaliyah demonstrated early on that she was made of the stuff of true legends. Derek Lee, stylist and costume designer to Aaliyah, had this to say, “She was someone that had conviction and had a vision. She never really chased after anybody else’s style or chased what was going on at the moment.” And her work proves it.
Aaliyah was only 17 at the time of the original release of One in a Million. Its re-release and success is both a celebration and nod to her greatness even at such a young age.
So given what we know, it is undeniable that Aaliyah’s rising star was on a trajectory straight to the top. One in a Million stands as a reminder to that. As Treye Greene writing contributor of grammy.com, writes, “The project is a symbol of Aaliyah’s self-awareness and artistic sureness as she plotted next steps in her journey from breakout star to an established force who’s confident in her sound, her self-image, and the creative story she wanted to tell.”
If you want to take a look back at Aaliyah’s life and learn a few interesting facts about her as well, check out our retrospective article.
For the first time, “One in A Million” by Aaliyah is available on streaming platforms. Sources say that the song was unavailable for quite some time due to disputes between the singer’s estate and former record label. But that has recently changed, and fans now have accessibility to one of Aaliyah’s hottest releases.
Both Missy Elliott and Timbaland were on board as producers of the “One in A Million” track. According to an article on Songfacts.com, Missy Elliot once stated that she and Timbaland were only requested to work on one single, but it became an entire album with eight tracks. Indeed, Aaliyah had something special, and those who worked with her recognized her spark. According to The World News, producer Jeffery “J Dub” Walker once had this to say about the budding superstar, “She would have been the queen of the world right now!” And even posthumously, she remains an inspiration to many.
Success was in the stars
Many would agree that Aaliyah was born for this. Aaliyah was a singer and performer from a young age. In fact, according to a biographical sketch, she sang with Gladys Knight in Las Vegas at the age of 11. Her first album was released in 1994. She was only 14 years old. Two years later, in 1996, the “One in a Million” Album went public. The album was a hit nationally and internationally. According to Aaliyah.com/biography, “The album was multi-platinum” By the age of 22, she was well on her way to doing even greater things.
Aaliyah oozed talent
She was not just a phenomenal singer but also a promising actor. Aaliyah landed roles in quite a few major motion picture releases, including Romeo Must Die and Queen of the Damned. In her biography, it is said that she had secured roles for TheMatrix Reloaded, The MatrixRevolutions and Honey. These are just a few. Aaliyah had other promising projects on the horizon as well.
Gone too soon
But on August 25, 2011, the world mourned her passing. The mark she left was indescribable. But the contributions of her artistry, performance and music are timeless. Without a doubt, the legacy and treasures she leaves speak volumes of her inexhaustible passion and talents, which are never to be forgotten.
“One in a Million” is now streaming on Spotify.
Written by Renae Richardson
Check out our article done in memory of Aaliyah’s life and legacy.
Previously unseen photo of Aaliyah by Albert Watson.
Blackground Records finally blesses fans with Aaliyah music for the 20th anniversary of the singer’s death
Aaliyah Dana Haughton, the singer, songwriter, and performer who influenced the lives of many in her short life is finally able to share her music with fans again after a decade. Aaliyah died at the young age of 22 in an airplane accident.
With tons of new Aaliyah news this month,some of her most famous discography will be available to Spotify listeners only. The music will roll out over the course of two months, as follows:
Photo of Aaliyah by Albert Watson.
The surprising moment was caught by fans on 8/4, a few days before the announcement. The #AaliyahIsComing hashtag started trending on Twitter when investigative fans caught Spotify’s social media accounts follow Aaliyah’s old record company, Blackground Records. Fans found the record company’s new social media handles and a newly created website.
There would be unforgettable experiences for non-Spotify listeners too. Barry Hankerson, founder of Blackground Records and Aaliyah’s uncle, said the label “would be rereleasing 17 albums from its catalog over the next two months, on streaming services as well as on CD and vinyl.” It would also release a posthumous album featuring the likes of Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, Snoop Dogg, Future and Drake.
Right now, the only Aaliyah album available for streaming is her debut album, 1994’s Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number. Aaliyah’s sophomore album, 1996’s One in a Million, and final studio album, 2001’s Aaliyah, are not available on any digital platforms.
Hankerson started Blackground Records in 1993
The manager and producer has been surrounded by controversy since he introduced 12-year old Aaliyah to 24-year-old R. Kelly.The two eventually became romantically involved and got engaged when Aaliyah was just shy of 16-years-old. Problematic R. Kelly was 27.
Hankerson is also the sole legal owner of all Aaliyah masters. This is the “official original recording of a song, sound or performance,” and the source of all later copies. Therefore, he is the only person who profits from Aaliyah’s music and legacy.
Aaliyah’s family issued a semi-vague statement stating their dissatisfaction with the announcement of her music soon reaching streaming services. Their statement accompanied a hashtag of their own: #IStandWithAaliyah.
Aaliyah’s family issued a semi-vague statement stating their dissatisfaction with the announcement of her music soon reaching streaming services.
Some fans say the reports of Hankerson refusing to pay Aaliyah’s family for her name and likeness may turn them away from listening to the records on streaming services.
“It feels eerie and lowkey disrespectful,” says one fan via Twitter.
Over the years, plans to release Aaliyah’s music never materialized. This is very likely due to the conflict between the family’s estate and the label. On what would have been the R&B singer’s 42nd birthday, Aaliyah’s estate released a statement about the absence of the music from streaming platforms:
“We hear you and we see you. While we share your sentiments and desire to have Aaliyah’s music released, we must acknowledge that these matters are not within our control and, unfortunately, take time,” the statement read. “Our inability to share Aaliyah’s music and artistry with the world has been as difficult for us as it has been for all of you. Our priority has always been and will continue to be Aaliyah’s music.”
As Aaliyah’s family continues to fight for their “Babygirl’s” legacy, Hankerson continues to grow Blackground Records
He recently announced he would be relaunching the record company as Blackground Records 2.0. The first signee will be singer Autumn Marini, newly coined as the “First Lady of Blackground Records 2.0.” Blackground has not released an album since Timbaland’s “Shock Value II” in 2009.
The record company not only announced the release of Aaliyah records, but long-time held JoJo albums as well. The 2004 breakthrough artist went through years of legal battles over her contract with Blackground Records.
As “Aaliyah Is Coming” billboards start showing up in cities all over the U.S., the debate continues.
It leaves Aaliyah fans with just one question: Will you be streaming?
