Aaliyah: Her Journey!

Aaliyah, we miss you!

Today would mark the 15 years since the world lost a R&B singer Aaliyah.

On August 25, 2001, the hip-hop community lost an iconic R&B singer. Aaliyah Dana Haughton was killed in a fatal plane crash. After finishing a music video shoot her single "Rock The Boat", the singer, her publicist, two members of Blackground Records, and her body man passed away in a ill-fated flight leaving the Bahamas.

Aaliyah's death came unexpected. She released her self-titled album that year and was promoting her movie Romeo Must Die. She was heading back to Los Angeles for a role for the horror Queen of the Damned.

Aaliyah released her first album at the age of 16. Age Ain't Nothing But A Number was produced by R. Kelly, the controversial R&B singer who had an alleged relationship with her at the age of 15.

R. Kelly produced her album and helped her gain mainstream success. R. Kelly had married Aaliyah for a brief moment but it was annulled after allegations of the singer's history.

Aaliyah teamed up with Virginia producer Timbaland and began a great working relationship.

One in a Million became a classic. With Timbaland and Missy Elliott on the album, they produced six singles and gave Aaliyah a four quadruple platinum album.

It also helped her gain success a model, actress and cultural icon.

Her death came unexpected. I mean a few weeks later we would have the worst tragedy to ever happen in our country.

Any thoughts on the tragic death of Aaliyah?

106 & Park Canceled!

After three nickels on the air, BET cancels 106 & Park.

It seems things are changing in the way we watch television. Music videos for example aren't shown on MTV, VH-1 and BET as much as they used to. YouTube, VEVO, and the other social networks are dominating music and giving stans the opportunity to view music videos whenever they want.

With record sales on the decline, record executives are trying to find ways to put talent out there. That's where these music programs came into play. They gave an opportunity for a rapper to venture into the mainstream whenever they appeared on these programs. Nowadays, you can get a record deal by just putting a video on YouTube.

The networks knew that the digital world is killing it. That's why it's time for a new era in music.

BET announced that the longest running music program is coming to an end this December.

Free and AJ from 2002.

That means that Bow Wow is out of work literally. He's no longer signed to So So Def. The deal with Cash Money/Young Money fell through. He's practically running on BET to pay his child support and debts.

Since 2000, 106 & Park was the television show. It's been through eight hosts. The original pioneers of the program AJ Calloway and rapper Free. They were the draw to the program. They both got the ax after conflict with their show producer Stephen Hill.

So they replaced them with Julissa and Rap City's Big Tigger. They canceled Rap City so Tig could run the show full time. After a few years of their reign. They were given the ax and then the second most notable talents came forth.

Terrance J and Rocsi joined the show. The show then went through a major change. The show was originally produced in Harlem, New York City, and the title of the show is derived from the original studio location at East 106th Street and Park Avenue. Viacom's acquisition of BET prompted a change to the CBS Broadcast Center at 524 West 57th Street between 10th & 11th Avenues, in the Hell's Kitchen section of Midtown Manhattan. There were allegations of conflict between the two.



There were allegations of sexual harassment. Rappers who came on to the show were being dickheads towards Rocsi. Terrance J would defend their behavior. She would split after an infamous incident involving a gangsta rapper from the Baton Rouge.  Louisiana rapper Webbie was banned on 106 & Park for trying to hit on Rocsi and threatening to assault Terrence J.

Terrance J and Rocsi.

When Terrance J decided to find an acting and rapping career, they added the former child star Bow Wow to the show. Bow Wow was designated as the new host.

After a few years of guest hosting and the search, they concluded Keisha Chante, a Canadian singer and actress as their final co-host.

Entertainer Keisha Chante got served by Def Jam singer August Alsina.The most notable event was the singer and his dirty mouth towards Chante and Bow Wow.

Of course, Bow Wow didn't step up to defend her. August would later come back to the show to make up. Def Jam told him to act right or get dropped. So it was forced upon him to apologize.

Big Tigger, Julissa and comedian Martin Lawrence.

Now all the drama, the countdowns, the freestyle Fridays and the prize giveaways are coming to an end. The executives are seeing ratings dropped badly, so it's time to ax it.

It’s been a great 14-year run as America’s top music/variety show on cable. And now that very valuable brand is going to take its talents to the digital realm. The interactive brand you helped build, 106 & Park, is alive and well…and it’s moving to the space in which our audience NOW interacts with music the most: online. It’ll be very exciting to connect with the millions of people that are already engaged with 106 & Park and other BET digital and social media entities and bring content that will further evolve the 106 & Park brand — and enhance the overall BET Networks brand. As we transition to the digital space, we look to continue 106 & Park’s role as both a leader of and a mirror to youth culture. We’ll have more information to share about how that is to roll out very soon.

And 106 & Park will still have specials on BET. What’s a New Year’s Eve without 106 & Party? 106 & Park Presents: 106 & Party will be on-air to take our viewers into the beginning of the second half of this decade in a big way. And when it’s time for the BET Awards to come around, you can be sure that 106 & Park Presents: Live, Red and Ready will be ushering you into the show and that 106 & Park will be an integral part of the BET Experience.

I’m not trying to minimize it; this is a very big change. We thank all the people who have worked on the show over the years; the talented hosts, the hard-working staff, production crews, and all the incredible guests we’ve had. Most of all, we’d like to humbly thank the “livest audience”, both in studio and at home, who fueled this landmark TV show from the very beginning. Meet you in the digital domain.

Bow Wow and Keisha Chante meeting First Lady Michelle Obama.

Most recently, the show — which counts down the day’s top videos, and features interviews with rappers, actors, singers, and athletes — has been hosted by Bow Wow and Keshia Chante. Before them, hosts included A.J. Calloway and Free, who helmed the show from its 2000 launch until 2005, and Terrence J and Rocsi, who took over from 2006 through 2012. In addition to playing music videos and interviews, “106″ became known for its Freestyle Friday segments.

Despite moving off air for its daily shows, “106 & Park” will still resurface for specials — like on New Year’s Eve and prior to the BET Awards.

“I’m not trying to minimize it; this is a very big change,” Hill added. “We thank all the people who have worked on the show over the years; the talented hosts, the hard-working staff, production crews and all the incredible guests we’ve had. Most of all, we’d like to humbly thank the ‘livest audience,’ both in studio and at home, who fueled this landmark TV show from the very beginning. Meet you in the digital domain.”

Myles Munroe Passes Away!

Megachurch pastor died in tragic plane crash in The Bahamas.

Bahamian mega pastor, his wife, and his entourage died in a plane crash in the Bahamas over the weekend. We here at Journal de la Reyna send our condolences to those lost in this senseless tragedy.

Myles Munroe was the president and founder of the Bahamas Faith Ministries International (BFMI) and Myles Munroe International (MMI), a Christian growth and resource center that includes leadership training institutes, a missions agency, a publishing company, a television network, radio and Web communications, and a church community. He was chief executive officer and chairman of the board of the International Third World Leaders Association and president of the International Leadership Training Institute. He was the author of 69 books and was a motivational speaker.



CNN reports that the aircraft hit a crane at the Freeport Ship Yard and crashed into a nearby "junk site," police said.

No U.S. agencies are involved, and the Royal Bahamas Police Force is handling the investigation, a police spokesman said.

Police released the names of five victims Monday that includes Myles Munroe and his wife Ruth.
Myles Munroe was the senior pastor of Bahamas Faith Ministries International Fellowship, that group's website says. Ruth served as co-pastor.

The two were friends of Andrew Young, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, who was also scheduled to arrive in Freeport.

"Ambassador Young expresses his deep sadness over the tragic death of his friends Dr. Myles and Mrs. Ruth Munroe. He offers condolences to the Munroe family and the families of the other souls who lost their lives as a result of this shocking plane crash," the Andrew Young Foundation said in a statement.

Young is scheduled to speak at a conference starting Monday in Freeport.

The Global Leadership Forum will continue this week, according to Munroe's organization.

"On behalf of Myles Munroe International and ITWLA. We would like to inform you that the Global Leadership Forum will continue," Myles Munroe International posted on its Facebook page. "This is what Dr. Munroe would have wanted."

The other identified victims are Stanley Jerome Thurston, Richard Howard Pinder and Frankhan Demeyer Cooper, all residents of the Bahamas.

The ITWLA is International Third World Leaders Association, which was founded by Munroe.

Lifetime Faces Criticism Over Aaliyah Biopic!

A long time ago, August 25, 2001, Aaliyah, famed entertainer died in a plane crash in the Bahamas.

The world lost a legendary talent who's down to earth appeal attracted millions of fans.

Lifetime is running an original movie based on her life. The junk food media thinks that it's going to be full of controversy because it doesn't really tell the story of Aaliyah.

Nickelodeon star Alexandra Shipp portrays the late singer Aaliyah. Previously entertainer Zendaya was going to portray the late singer. But death threats and harsh criticism forced her to drop the project.

Alexandra Shipp portrays Aaliyah in Lifetime movie.

In the synopsis, Lifetime will run the movie on November 15. Lifetime’s Original Movie, “Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B,” starring Alexandra Shipp (“House of Anubis”) as the beloved actress and music sensation, is set to premiere Saturday, November 15, at 8pm ET/PT.

The two-hour movie event is executive produced by Howard Braunstein, Debra Martin Chase and Wendy Williams, and based on the bestseller “Aaliyah: More Than a Woman” by former Time Magazine music editor Christopher John Farley (Game World).

Before Beyoncé and before Rihanna, self-proclaimed “street but sweet” Aaliyah was poised to become a global icon with top-selling albums, a hot movie career and an adoring fan base.

The film follows the beautiful and talented performer’s inspirational journey, from her debut on “Star Search” at the age of ten to the challenges she faced during her rise to become the Princess of R&B.

On August 25, 2001, at the height of her popularity, her life was tragically cut short when a plane carrying the singer and some of her video crew crashed after takeoff from a Bahamian runway.

Although just 22-years-old at the time of her death, Aaliyah continues to lead a legacy as Billboard’s tenth most famous R&B artist of the past 25 years and one of the recording industry’s most successful artists in history.

Multi-talented actress and singer/songwriter Alexandra Shipp starred as KT Rush in the Nickelodeon series “House of Anubis.” Additional credits include the upcoming film “Drumline 2: A New Beat,” “ Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel,” “Ray Donovan,” “Victorious,” “Switched at Birth” and “Awkward.” Shipp is currently filming Universal Pictures’ “Straight Outta Compton.”

“Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B” also stars Rachael Crawford (“The Man”) and Sterling Jarvis (“The Sentinel”) as Aaliyah’s parents Diane and Mike Haughton; A.J. Saudin (“Degrassi,” “The Next Generation”) as Aaliyah’s brother Rashad Haughton; and Lyriq Bent (“Saw IV”) as her uncle and music manager Barry Hankerson. The film also stars Anthony Grant as Damon Dash, Izaak Smith (“Mirror, Mirror”) as Timbaland, Elise Neal (“The Soul Man”) as Gladys Knight and Chattrisse Dolabaille (“Home Away”) as Missy Elliot. “Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B” is produced by Aaliyah Productions, Inc. Howard Braunstein (“The Informant!”) Debra Martin Chase (“The Princess Diaries,” “Sparkle”) and Wendy Williams (“Wendy Williams Show”) serve as executive producers. Steve Solomos serves as producer. Bradley Walsh (“Turn the Beat Around”) directs from a script written by Michael Elliot (“Brown Sugar”).

Bobby Wamack Passes Away!

Today we lost a great singer and inspiration to hip-hop and R & B. Bobby Wamack, famed singer passed away today. We here at Journal de la Reyna send our condolences to the family of Bobby Wamack.

Reuters reports Womack, who rose within the gospel music community in the 1950s, became a key figure in the R&B genre, and is best known for hits including "Lookin' For A Love," "That's The Way I Feel About 'Cha," and "Woman's Gotta Have It."

An active recording artist since the early 1960s, when he started his career as the lead singer of his family musical group The Valentinos and as Sam Cooke's backing guitarist, Womack's career has spanned more than 50 years and has spanned a repertoire in the styles of R&B, soul, rock and roll, doo-wop, gospel, and country.

Womack wrote and originally recorded The Rolling Stones' first UK No. 1 hit, "It's All Over Now" and New Birth's "I Can Understand It" among other songs. As a singer he is most notable for the hits "Lookin' For a Love", "That's The Way I Feel About Cha", "Woman's Gotta Have It", "Harry Hippie", "Across 110th Street" and his 1980s hit "If You Think You're Lonely Now".

In 2009, Womack was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

B.I.G. Time!

The King Of New York. The legendary Notorious B.I.G. was murdered over 16 years ago.

Christopher Wallace will always be remembered.

Brief Summary:

The tragic death of Notorious B.I.G. happened 16 years ago.

March 9, 1997 was the day that the Notorious B.I.G. (aka Biggie Smalls) was gunned down in Los Angeles after he attended a Soul Train Music Awards show. The death of Biggie happened just a few days before his double album Life After Death was to hit the store shelves.


Biggie was raised in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. When he released his debut album Ready to Die in 1994, he became a central figure in the East Coast hip hop scene and increased New York's visibility in the genre at a time when West Coast hip hop was dominant in the mainstream.

The following year, Wallace led his childhood friends to chart success through his protégé group, Junior M.A.F.I.A. While recording his second album, Wallace was heavily involved in the growing East Coast/West Coast hip hop feud.

When hip-hop was good!

Tupac Shakur, Notorious B.I.G., Big L, Pimp C, Big Pun, Guru, Soulja Slim, Magic, Left-Eye, Aaliyah,Whitney Houston, and Michael Jackson are gone but never forgotten.

They will be truly missed.

Jenni Rivera: Famed Latina Singer Died In Plane Crash!

Famed singer Jenni Rivera died in a tragic plane crash.

We here at Journal de la Reyna send our condolences to the family of famed singer Jenni Rivera. A tragic plane crash in Mexico carried her and other passengers on it. There were no survivors of this crash.

Jenny Dolores Rivera Saavedra was a Mexican-American singer known for her work within the banda and norteña music genres. She began recording in 1992, and her recordings often have themes of social issues, infidelity, and relationships.

Her tenth studio album, Jenni in 2008, became her first number-one album in the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart in the United States. In 2010 she appeared in and produced the reality TV show Jenni Rivera Presents: Chiquis & Raq-C, featuring her oldest daughter. She also appeared in and produced I Love Jenni starting in 2011 and Chiquis 'n Control in 2012.

Rivera was born in Long Beach, California. Her parents are Mexican immigrants who raised Rivera and her four brothers and sister (including Lupillo Rivera) in a tight-knit musical household.

Rivera died in a plane crash near Iturbide, Nuevo León, Mexico on December 9, 2012.

Rivera had three children with her first husband, José Trinidad Marín: Janney "Chiquis" Marín Rivera (born 1985), Jacqueline Marín Rivera (born 1989), and Michael Marín Rivera (born 1991). After divorcing Marín, Rivera married Juan López in 1997 and had two children with him: Jenicka López Rivera (born 1997), and Johnny López Rivera (born 2001). They divorced in 2003, and López died in 2009. Rivera married baseball player Esteban Loaiza in 2010. They filed for divorce in 2012.

On August 6, 2010, Rivera was named spokeswoman for the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. A proclamation was given "officially naming" August 6 “Jenni Rivera Day” by the LA City Council for all her charity work and involvement in the community.



The Los Angeles Times report the Mexico's Ministry of Transportation and Communications said the Learjet carrying seven people, including Rivera, was found in mountainous terrain in Nuevo Leon, just south of Monterrey. There were no survivors, authorities said.

The plane left Monterrey around 3:30 a.m., following a concert that she had given, according to the Associated Press. The U.S.-registered Learjet 25 was headed to Toluca, near Mexico City.

The 43-year-old Long Beach native, known to fans as "la diva de la banda," was best known for her interpretations of regional Mexican music, norteno and banda. She was one of NBCUniversal's biggest bilingual television stars, with a hugely popular reality show, "I Love Jenni," on cable channel Mun2.

She also had a syndicated weekly radio program and clothing and cosmetics lines -- all designed to appeal to U.S. Latinas. The ABC television network was developing a sitcom starring Rivera, tentatively titled "Jenni," about a strong-willed Latina single mother.

According to Nielsen SoundScan, Rivera has sold 1.2 million albums and 349,000 digital tracks in the United States.

Rivera belonged to one of the most important dynasties in contemporary U.S.-based Mexican music. Her father, Pedro Rivera, launched the independent label Cintas Acuario in 1987; it grew out of a booth at an area swap meet. Her four brothers were also involved in music, and her younger brother Lupillo also is a wildly popular Mexican regional singer.

According to her Telemundo biography, Rivera didn't plan on joining the family's musical dynasty. But after an early marriage ended in divorce, she obtained a college degree in business administration and worked in real estate before going to work for her father's record label.

Her debut, "Chacalosa" (slang for "party girl"), was her introduction to the music scene. She eventually signed with Fonovisa, one of the most prominent labels in regional Mexican music, and began releasing bestselling Latin music CDs.

More than 16,000 people attended a concert that she headlined last year at Staples Center in Los Angeles. She was scheduled to appear next March at L.A.'s Gibson Amphitheatre.

So many fans flocked to a record-signing event in Riverside last year that police reportedly were called to help disperse the massive crowd.

Her tumultuous life included an early marriage and pregnancy, domestic abuse and divorce. She wove some of those themes into her songs and was an advocate for social responsibility. She founded a charitable organization, the Jenni Rivera Love Foundation, offering support to single mothers and victims of domestic abuse in the United States.

Rivera had five children and a grandchild. Celebrity magazines said she was seeking a divorce from her second husband, former Major League Baseball player Esteban Loaiza.

New Aaliyah Album Causing Rift!

Timbaland and Missy Elliott with Aaliyah. The rappers reflect on the tragedy that killed the singer.

Timbaland and Missy Elliott, were the longtime producers and friends of the late entertainer Aaliyah. I wrote earlier this year that there's unreleased songs getting a revamp from Canadian rapper/actor Drake and his producer Noah "40" Shebib.

It looks like I was wrong on the issue. Missy Elliott and Timbaland are not going to be featured on this new album set for release in late 2012. That has been the talk of the hip-hop community.

Missy Elliott appears under Atlantic Records.
Timbaland appears under Blackground Records/Interscope Records.
Drake appears under Cash Money Records.
Lil' Wayne appears under Cash Money Records.
Aaliayh appears under Blackground Records.

Aaliyah died over 10 years ago in a fiery plane crash in The Bahamas and it left a big hole in the lives of many. Damon Dash, the former president of Roc-A-Fella Records was devastated by her death. He was planning on marrying her in the coming year. Timbaland threaten to retire from the music industry after hearing the news. Missy Elliott was distraught about the loss of one of her best friends and collaborator.

They're rebounding though. After a seven year hiatus, Missy Elliott released a single with her longtime friend and it's getting buzz. "9th Inning" and "Triple Threat", were produced by Timbaland and its signaled that the rapper is making her comeback.

But there's a rift between Aubrey "Drake" Graham and the two.

I got this!

A few weeks ago, they went on to Hot 97 to talk with Angie Martinez to promote the new singles. When asked by Martinez about the upcoming album, they've shunned the notion and stated it was a personal matter.

Timbaland stated: "I don’t even know if it’s an album, I don’t think that’s in the works. I don’t know, I think it’s blown out of proportion. I haven’t spoken to Drake yet. I have a hard time just hearing her music."

Missy Elliott stated: "No call has been made to me. I have to respect her family, and until they come and say they’re ready to do an Aaliyah album then I don’t really want to get into that because it’s very sensitive. It’s not records that already done came out, we’re talking about unfinished music. And we don’t know what her reasoning for not putting those records out. Maybe she didn't feel like they were her best work. We just don’t want to tap into that, just spiritually something else you know ... very very touchy. Unless her parents came in and conducted that."

Drake has appeared on the Aaliyah's single "Enough Said" which is getting buzz on the radio.

Drake is a member of Cash Money Records and is a member of Lil' Wayne's hip-hop collective Young Money with Nicki Minaj and Tyga.

The rapper has started first as an actor on the teen drama Degrassi: The Next Generation and then went forth to rapping and singing. The rapper released mixtapes before signed to Cash Money to release his debut album. The first album Thank Me Later was critically acclaimed and earned him Grammy nominations.

The album went on to sell nearly 2 million copies giving it platinum status. The second album Take Care was release late last year and went on to produce a few massive hits. It also earned him another shot at grabbing a Grammy Award.

The rapper has a strong obsession with Aaliyah. Drake tattooed the singer on his back and arm.

The release of her album will mark 11 years since her third release a self-titled album in which it produced the hit single "Rock The Boat".

R.I.P. Aaliyah: More Than A Woman!

I Miss You, Aaliyah!

With all the talk of the death of Neil Armstrong, I haven't forgotten about another legendary talent we've lost. 

Before I and most of the world was glued to the television on September 11, 2001, I remember the day that I've heard that R & B singer Aaliyah was killed in tragic plane accident in the Bahamas.

I remember buying Aaliyah's third album on the whim of her first single "We Need A Resolution". My sister begged me to buy that album because she was at work and didn't have the cash to get it at the time.

I was 20 at the time of the tragedy. I was going to community college and I was going to work and struggling to live on my own. One night I came back from the club and I decided to sleep over at my parent's house.

I come in at 3am and told my parents that I'll be sleeping in my old room tonight. As I entered the home, I went to turn on the television and watched MTV's The Lyricist Lounge Show, a show that once featured comedian Tracy Ellis Ross. Across the screen ticker was an announcement that Aaliyah was killed in a plane incident according to the Associated Press. I remember that Kurt Loder and Sway Calloway were talking about it on the MTV News updates. 

I told my sister about it the next day. She was attending a nearby university at the time. We were both saddened by the lost of this great talent.

It's been over 10 years since the tragedy and new album is in the works. Timbaland, Missy Elliot and rapper Drake are collaborating on an album based off some of her unreleased tracks.

Aaliyah's death came after finishing up the single "Rock The Boat". This video was directed by hip-hop video director Hype Williams. The plane that carried Aaliyah, the pilot her manager, some of her personal staff and two of her family members crashed upon takeoff. The pilot was inexperienced and was on cocaine at the time of flight. 

Gladys Knight is the godmother of the late singer and Damon Dash former CEO of Roc-A-Fella Records was to marry the singer after the filming of her last movie Queen of The Damned. They were devastated by this tragedy.

From Wikipedia, She was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was raised in Detroit, Michigan. At the age of 10, she appeared on the television show Star Search and performed in concert alongside Gladys Knight. At age 12, Aaliyah signed with Jive Records and her uncle Barry Hankerson's Blackground Records. 

Drake announced that he will produce Aaliyah album.

Hankerson introduced her to R. Kelly, who became her mentor, as well as lead songwriter and producer of her debut album, Age Ain't Nothing but a Number. The album sold three million copies in the United States and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). After facing allegations of an illegal marriage with R. Kelly, Aaliyah ended her contract with Jive and signed with Atlantic Records.

Aaliyah worked with record producers Timbaland and Missy Elliott for her second album, One in a Million; it sold 3.7 million copies in the United States and over eight million copies worldwide. In 2000, Aaliyah appeared in her first major film, Romeo Must Die. She contributed to the film's soundtrack, which spawned the single "Try Again". The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 solely on airplay, making Aaliyah the first artist in Billboard history to achieve this feat. "Try Again" earned Aaliyah a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female R&B Vocalist.

After completing Romeo Must Die, Aaliyah filmed her part in Queen of the Damned. She released her third and final album, Aaliyah, in July 2001. On August 25, 2001, Aaliyah and eight others were killed in an airplane crash in The Bahamas after filming the music video for the single "Rock the Boat". The pilot, Luis Morales III, was unlicensed at the time of the accident and had traces of cocaine and alcohol in his system. 

Aaliyah's family later filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Blackhawk International Airways, which was settled out of court. Since then, Aaliyah's music has continued to achieve commercial success with several posthumous releases. Aaliyah is estimated to have sold 24 to 32 million albums worldwide. She has been credited for helping redefine contemporary R&B and hip hop, earning her the nicknames "Princess of R&B" and "Queen of Urban Pop". She is listed by Billboard as the tenth most successful female R&B artist of the past 25 years, and 27th most successful R&B artist overall.

Drake Will Produce New Aaliyah Album!

      

Aubrey Graham, known as Drake is a Canadian born rapper/singer and actor who signed to Cash Money Records under Lil' Wayne's sub label Young Money Entertainment. He along with Kevin Rudolf, Nicki Minaj and Tyga rolled out in 2009 as the rebirth of the once struggling label. 

He was born in Toronto, Ontario, to American father and Canadian Jewish mother. When his parent's divorce, Drake moved with his mother to Forest Hill, Toronto. He originally became known for playing Jimmy Brooks on the television series Degrassi: The Next Generation, but also began to rise to stardom with the release of multiple mixtapes that began to generate hype for his future career as a rapper.

Cash Money Records is based out of New Orleans was home to then multi-platinum rapper Juvenile, street rapper B.G., and the youngest rappers Lil' Wayne and Turk. They formed the Hot Boys. Co-founder Bryan "Baby (aka Birdman)" Williams and in-house producer Mannie Fresh formed the group The Big Tymers. They all released albums during their rise in 1998 to 2005. Mannie Fresh went on produce most of their solo albums at the time.

Aaliyah was killed August 25, 2001 in a tragic plane crash in The Bahamas.

According to Wikipedia, Cash Money's big break came in 1998 when the Hot Boys, B.G. and Juvenile in particular, caught the attention of Universal Records executives. In 1998, Cash Money signed a $30 million pressing and distribution with $3 million advance contract with Universal, entitling the label to 85% of its royalties, 50% of its publishing revenues and ownership of all masters.

Nowadays, Cash Money Records is mostly focused on the rising career of Lil' Wayne and his own record label Young Money. With the signing of Drake, the rap label went through a major overhaul from the bounce catchy Southern beats, to a sophisticated style of music that appeals to a more pop friendly audience.

Drake surpassed Jay-Z as the rapper with the most number one hits on the Billboard 200 hot singles list.

Drake declared his love for the late singer Aaliyah. Aaliyah was killed in a plane crash in the Bahamas after filming a music video. Her death in August 2001, came at the peak of the R & B singer's rising movie career.

                       
Aaliyah Dana Houghton broke into the music scene in 1994 as a protege of R. Kelly. Her album Age Ain't Nothing But A Number went on to sell over 3 million copies. After a bitter fallout with R. Kelly, the singer team up with up-and-coming producer Tim Mosley (aka Timbaland) and rapper Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliot to work on her albums. One In A Million, went on to be one of the singer's most critically acclaimed albums. Her final album Aaliyah was released in July 2001. Her smash single "Rock The Boat" and "We Need A Resolution" became instant hits.

It's been over a decade since Aaliyah's death. The singer's legacy continues to influence a new generation of singers and entertainers. Drake was one who felt her influence in the industry inspired him. He declared that his interest in working on a posthumous album.

Drake tattooed the late singer Aaliyah on his back and his start up label OVOXO. 

In an interview with SoulCulture TV, the rapper stated that R&B singer Aaliyah has had the biggest influence on his career:

Aaliyah has had probably the most impact on my career because when I made a choice to start singing it was because of something that my father had told me which was, ‘There’s no rapper out there that sings and raps and does both things well… and in order to be successful you’re gonna need something other than just what everyone else is doing.

I was rapping already at the time so I had an identity in rap, but when I started singing I needed something to reference. I needed someone to be like, ‘I wanna be like that’. I didn’t want it ever to be a male because then I would sound like that person, so I just found comfort in all of Aaliyah’s music and her melody choices and the things that she talks about – and how she always conveyed these amazing emotions but never got too sappy, she always kept it G. That had the biggest influence on my music because – as much as my music may be geared towards women – I try not to make it so that only women can sing it.

The first single released is "Enough Said", and it's produced by Drake's long time producer Noah 40 Shebib.



The release of this single comes after Blackground Records founders Berry and Jomo Henderson allowed access to unreleased demos and outtakes. Drake, Missy Elliot and Timbaland are slated to work on this album and it's planned release in late 2012.

Drake appears under the banter of Universal-Republic Records under Cash Money Records.