Ashanti

“Who wasn’t an Aaliyah fan?” Ashanti asks with a very distinct laugh. The “Foolish” singer was around 16 when Aaliyah first popped onto her television screen, which prompted her to follow in the star’s footsteps and forge her own mark on the music industry. But still today, she is able to reflect on Aaliyah’s impact on her own life with some clarity.

Throughout Ashanti’s nearly 16-year career, she’s often been connected to baby girl. Although the singer has definitely created a name for herself, separate from the other female artists in the game, she still carries certain characteristics that are reminiscent of her musical influence. The visuals of her 2003 music video for “Rock Wit U” mimic Aaliyah’s final video, “Rock the Boat” in the most flattering of ways. And her performance of her single with Ja Rule, “Always On Time,” also adds her own spin onto Aaliyah’s signature “tomboy sexy” look.

In honor of VIBE’s Aaliyah Week, Ashanti and her sister, Shia took some time to remember the late icon and pay homage to her impact on their careers as well as many others. – Jessica McKinney

Read the full story (source): What The Songbird’s Music Meant To Ashanti