Would Beyonce Be “Queen B” If Aaliyah Were Here?
When it comes to the greatest female entertainers of our generation, there are a few names that come up. Alicia Keys, Beyonce and Rihanna (which I don’t understand why). However, with the Beyonce explosion coming and hitting us hard in the late 90’s and never stopping, most people automatically give her the crown. Does she deserve it? She is a hard working woman however, that is something I have to question because not too long ago there was another very popular R and B songstress who was always on people’s minds and hearts. Sadly, she passed away right as her legend status was beginning to be aflame. I am speaking of Aaliyah.
Similar to the age-old hip-hop discussion of would Jay-Z be where he is now had Tupac not have passed away. I am going to take it in the R&B route. Before everyone was being “Bootylicious” and loving the almighty “Besus” (Beyonce fanatics actually call her that. I’m not making this up). People were singing “Your Love Is One In A Million” and “Back And Forth” and later on “Dust Yourself Off And Try Again”. Aaliyah was the “Queen B”. Similar to Beyonce she was an all around entertainer who could sing, dance, act (although I wouldn’t call what Beyonce does acting) and people were taking notice of her being the next big thing. She was beginning to be featured in major films and unlike Beyonce, was actually successful in conquering the lead role without boring the audience members with stale acting. She also gained popularity without resorting to using her sexuality as Beyonce often does. However, she did have a scandal where she was married to a grown a** man while she was still a teenager. So innocent and pure she was not either.
Beyonce, on the contrary, since her meteoric rise to fame has taken the whole superstar singer to a whole new level. She is in make-up ads, phone ads, movies, owns a clothing company and God knows what other projects she has her hands in. She is more than a singer. She is an icon for a generation some would say. She is also so popular that you could not escape her grasp if you tried. A task that not many other entertainers have done. Not to mention an African American one. That is a whole new accomplishment in itself. Some might also argue that Aaliyah never had a song that was as monumental as say Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” or “Crazy In Love”. Others might say that she was heading down that path and would undoubtedly had an iconic song for her generation had she been giving the chance.
So my question is, if Aaliyah were still alive, would she not be the one receiving the starring movie roles?
So my question is, if Aaliyah were still alive, would she not be the one receiving the starring movie roles? We can all agree that her acting was better than Beyonce. Would she be the one performing to sold out arenas? Like Beyonce, she could sing, and dance live as well without a slip in step. Would she not be a beauty icon for major make-up companies? She too was a very beautiful young woman and had inked modeling deals with popular clothing companies of the time such as Tommy Hilfiger. Aaliyah also had a strong team behind her, which consisted of Timbaland and Missy who helped to mold her sound. Just as Beyonce did with her Destiny’s Child roots and Papi Knowles. Would some of those Grammys Beyonce won recently been in the arms of Aaliyah?
I could go on and on with comparisons and such but I won’t. My question is: could Aaliyah have been the one to take Beyonce’s place in the limelight if she were still living?
What say you?
For more of La’Juanda “LJ” Knight check her out @ yeahshesaidit.com.
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Aaliyah and Beyonce at that time and place were in the same category period; R&B. If Aaliyah were alive music would not be in the direction it is going now and Beyonce wouldn’t have the Queen status; just like Hip-Hop i.e. Tupac and B.I.G. However due to the unfortunate circumstances for the two communities (R&B and Hip-Hop) two people (Jay-Z and B) capitalized on the present opportunity at that time. Their opportunity changed the game and made it what it is. I’ve heard this so many times from males; Aaliyah was better than B and if B.I.G. was here Jay wouldn’t be where he is. (People born and raised in Brooklyn). A star is nothing without the fans; so yes the fans do know so the saying “nobody knows” as to whether Aaliyah would have the Queen status is a fallacy.
All I know is I’d buy a ‘best of’ Aaliyah CD before any of Bey’s. You almost don’t have to buy a Bey record, you can hear her on the radio or on tv or in the mall for free! lol Anyway, I almost like Bey’s music, she’s not an actress, but a great musical talent a hard worker and a good dancer; however, her overexposure turns any fandom I might have into annoyance:( I miss Aaliyah. She was original and I could relate to her. I can’t see myself relating to Bey. I like unique ARTISTS that aren’t afraid of being different. We do have them (V.V. Brown, RES, The Noisettes, Esperanza Spalding, Alice Smith) but they rarely make it big, which is a shame. If she were still alive, I think there would be room for both of them. They would have different sounds and therefore attract different types of fans. There’s no way to know for sure.
Aaliyah has my heart forever, honestly so any comparison is mute for me. She was like the alternative girl before it became popular. I think about this all the time, actually…what would it be like if she were still alive? There wouldn’t be a need for half of the singers out today that’s for sure.
I think a interesting comparison would be Rihanna/Aaliyah. Aaliyah had the whole edgy persona, while still remaining mainstream. She was a great actress, stunning beauty, amazing dancer. I could definitely see Aaliyah as a gateway to some of the newer underground artists coming up. She was in a different lane, she could have easily fit in with people like M.I.A., Santigold, Maluca, Amanda Blank. I could really see her as a matriach for that whole scene. She worked really well with other artists, Timbaland, Missy, Ginuwine, Magoo, the whole blackground camp.
My 6th grade self will never forget. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehFDZU4hXbw
Two different styles. Beyonce is not the best of actresses. I think Aaliyah would have been the same things thought. A clothing line, acting, probably promoting other artist. Who know.
I do wish Aaliyah was still here as she would have have offered a very nice slice of musical artistry. I believe she was on her way to superstardom. However, it may have changed her for the worse and not the better as is the case with many. Although I would not compare her with Beyonce (who is the premiere entertainer right now whether you like her or not), I prefer Aaliyah simply because I can remember her work! That is what I would like to see for Beyonce because I feel that at present, most of her music has no lasting legacy. But, when it comes to working the “business”, Ms. Knowles has one of the greatest PR machines ever.
This is an apple/oranges comparison. The simple answer is of course Beyonce would still be the queen that she is. Aaliyah never had the numbers Beyonce has. She was no way near as famous or popular. I am a huge Aaliyah fan but she never had the crossover appeal that B has.
The question should be if Aaliyah was still alive would Ciara and Rhianna even exist?The answer to that question is definitely NOOOO!
I don’t understand why people always make these kind of articles about Beyonce. There are a lot of other singers out. I guess if you want all the stans to come out write about Beyonce…
Ok why the comparasion can we leave Beyoncé alone ? Seriously I’m tired of the comparaison Beyoncé is where she is cause she works hard, nd she is an amazing artist and entertainer. Ailyah and her are completely 2 different type of artist. Ailyah is more in the Ciara range. Long leave the Queen B
aight i was just listening to my Aaliyah mix in the car so you know I had to comment. In my opinion Aaliyah was IT, but I can not knock Beyonce’s hustle. If Aaliyah was here today I believe her and Beyonce would be the Biggie and Tupac of R&B. They are completely different yet would both be powerfully successful and overwhelmingly loved in thier own ways. They represent two different types of women, just as Biggie and Pac represented two different types of men. Aaliyah was a an enigma, mysterious, ethereal, understatedly sensual, smooth…Beyonce is more charismatic her appeal is a lot more exuberant, Aaliyah is like lightning while Beyonce is all thunder. If I had to ride with one it would most definitely be Aaliyah as I connect more with her image and music but I still love me some Beyonce though, she truly is very talented and deserves her success . At the end of the day it’s apples and oranges….it’s all about taste. I find it funny though that Aaliyah was with Dame and Beyonce is with Jay-Z as Jay and Dame are like two sides of the same coin….just as Aailyah and Beyonce are
Honestly.
No attack on you Ms. Knight. I’ve read your writing and you are indeed talented.
But this is just another one of salty beans articles trying to knock Bejesus down a peg or two to make others feel good about themselves. I mean really? What is B supposed to do? Throw herself under a bus?
I really get that there’s a lot of resentment & cat claws towards Bey because of her astronomical success: she’s banging beauty and lives the life that dreams are made of; and she makes you want to hate her.
And we get it: some of us want to screw her man for bragging rights, some of us want to stab her in the back and twist it slowly, gouge her eyes out, burn her hair weave, and push her down a flight of stairs. Will that make the “B is soooooo overrrrrrrated” articles go away? This kind of reporting/writing just taps into why women are so mistrustful of one another
Aaliyah has passed away. Why can’t we let her Rest In Peace without someone trying to would’ve, could’ve, should’ve on her soul?
Didnt use sex to sell record?
Could act?
Better singer?
Dancer?
I dont know which Aaliyah people are remembering but I damn sure dont remember her knocking any of these things out the box.
She and Beyonce are carbon copies of each other and given the shelf life of these artist her star probably would have been fading right around the time Beyonce’s sar was rising.
Nice conversation topic though.
Second that Nia. The Beyonce hating is beyond ridiculous and things are written everyday to knock her down a peg. This is just another one of those articles. However the answer is yes Beyonce would still be Queen B if Aaliyah were alive. Aaliyah was more R&B while Beyonce has perfected the art of appealing to a massive audience.
I agree with all those posters who stated that these young women are/were of totally different calibers in entertainment. Beyonce can dance very well, Aaliyah could dance very well. Both have won numerous awards for their artistry yet both offer very different things. (why do I keep saying ‘very’?) I noticed that not long after Aaliyah died, there appeared Alicia Keys and Beyonce along with other young female artists. One thing I can say the two have in common is that long after they’re gone, their names and legacies will remain because they have left a lasting impression on this earth.
Clutch claims to be a positive site (false) but they are always disrespecting Beyonce and now not letting Aaliyah rest in peace. How many times are you going to write an article on why you dislike Beyonce if you don’t like her don’t post anything about her and your problems will be solved.
Readers: We have never disrespected Beyonce. It you are referring to “15 Reasons” article – I would advise that you re-read the piece fully. The author makes not one but two points to say the reasons are not OUR reasons and if you read the end of the piece we give Beyonce major accolades and again reaffirm those are not our thoughts.
I think a lot of people DO NOT READ articles fully and make assumptions about a piece based off a title. Thanks again for your comment.
From Beyonce Article:
1st: “Before you all start out trying to ring my neck, I better first state the fact that this letter should strictly be filed in a drawer set aside for anything fiction. This letter isn’t true to my situation, but I guarantee you it’s a feeling that’s continually echoed throughout the minds of many women and men out there. We’re no stranger to the fact that people across the board got love for Beyoncé, but lets keep it real since we’ve already entered the sharing circle, and dish a bit on the reasons why people got hate for Beyoncé too.”
2nd: “These are all just possible ideas, and not something I personally hold as doctrine. I believe you have to personally know a person to truly have a reason to hate on ‘em, and since I have yet to be invited for tea at Beyoncé’s, none of these bulletins personally reflect my opinion. Instead of focusing so much on B, you should consider a quote by Dr. Benjamin E. Mays”
3rd: “Whatever you do, do it so well that no man living, no man dead or no man yet to be born can do it any better.” That’s the philosophy we see in Beyoncé. She does it to the best of her abilities and her talents have led her to the top of the industry. So I’ll leave you with this — don’t hate, just step up to the plate.”
And might I add – I am a BIG fan of Beyonce – so it wouldn’t make any sense for me (or Clutch team members) to degrade Beyonce or any other person.
Best,
Dede
dsutton@clutchmagonline.com
Also – this article is in no way disrespecting Aaliyah. If anything – it’s keeping her alive and honoring her memory.
Best,
Dede
Clutch isn’t positive!? HA! get out of here with that. The most positive site for young black women I have seen and frequented. And I agree with Dede this is NOT negative or disrespectful. It’s something lots of people have been wondering for years.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYtnNk7xCRE
Beyonces Tina Turner Celebration/Tribute “Rolling on the River”
“However, she did have a scandal where she was married to a grown a** man while she was still a teenager. So innocent and pure she was not either.”
Thank you for speaking about this in this article. I remember when Aaliyah passed… i was 13 years old in the salon when I heard the news. .. Everyone from my school and even others years later have always exaggerated how she was innocent.. and an angel… making her out to be perfect.
Now i don’t have anything against Aaliyah for those who are wondering.. I actually listened to her music back in the day … more than Beyonce. I actually prefer Aaliyah over Beyonce. Someone explained that Aaliyah was more diverse and its true. If you look at her old videos she always wore baggy TH clothing and when it was time to be a lady .. she shined on that! ALso her songs were different.. I can personally relate to Aaliyah’s songs over Bey’s. ( no offense to Bey’ and her fans).
My friends and I think were discussing the same thing! Great convo starter! I am on the fence about who would be the Queen, but best believe Aaliyah would have been just as big as Beyonce.
To all that think this is being disrespectful to Aaliyah you all are nuts<<<<< how is this disrespectful!?!Why try to go after Clutch and the author of the article for something that is a common convo in many circles for years. smh.
did u mean to get those aaliyah song titles all messed up?
I think both of them would have been very successful however the album sales for ‘Aaliyah’ were mediocre until her death. Aaliyah would stay within the R&B charts and possibly dominate while Beyonce would be in pop.
I am a fan of both. But, Aaliyah was not the powerhouse vocally that Beyonce is. Both women acting skills left much to be desired. They would be able to coexist. Beyonce would still be the uber star she is now…outshining, outselling, outperforming, outsinging her competition.
Well.. this is a good convo.
Idk. cause you never know. You don’t know how things pan out.
No one can predict the future. Alot of ppl who used to be huge, are
no longer there.
However I think if Aaliyah would have grown more as an artist.
And grew vocally and artistically, I don’t see why there would be no
reason for her to be huge right now.
There’s room for everyone to do their thing..
I think we all just miss having her around.