Aaliyah's 1996 album One in a Million has been given a long-awaited digital release on streaming services, despite a conflict between the singer's estate and Blackground Records — the label co-owned and co-founded by uncle and former manager Barry Hankerson, who owns her masters.
"Aaliyah's Estate has always been ready to share Aaliyah's musical legacy but has been met with contention and a gross lack of transparency," Paul LiCalsi, an attorney for the estate, shared in a statement to Billboard earlier this month.
"For almost 20 years, Blackground has 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 catalog until after the deal was complete and plans were in place," the statement continues. "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."
A representative for Blackground shared with Billboard that a royalty payment had been made earlier this year, sharing in response, "The estate will receive everything that it is entitled to receive pursuant to the terms of our agreement. Blackground has shared our rollout plans with representatives for the estate and provided them with the opportunity to participate and provide input and the estate elected not to do so."
One In a Million features work with Missy Elliott and Timbaland, Slick Rick, Jermaine Dupri, and Treach.
Following today's release, Blackground and distributor EMPIRE will deliver 2001's Aaliyah on September 10, ahead of compilations I Care 4 U and Ultimate Aaliyah arriving on October 8.
Aaliyah died in a 2001 airplane accident at age 22. Previously, her lone album available on streaming services was 1994 debut, Age Ain't Nothing but a Number.
"Aaliyah's Estate has always been ready to share Aaliyah's musical legacy but has been met with contention and a gross lack of transparency," Paul LiCalsi, an attorney for the estate, shared in a statement to Billboard earlier this month.
"For almost 20 years, Blackground has 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 catalog until after the deal was complete and plans were in place," the statement continues. "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."
A representative for Blackground shared with Billboard that a royalty payment had been made earlier this year, sharing in response, "The estate will receive everything that it is entitled to receive pursuant to the terms of our agreement. Blackground has shared our rollout plans with representatives for the estate and provided them with the opportunity to participate and provide input and the estate elected not to do so."
One In a Million features work with Missy Elliott and Timbaland, Slick Rick, Jermaine Dupri, and Treach.
Following today's release, Blackground and distributor EMPIRE will deliver 2001's Aaliyah on September 10, ahead of compilations I Care 4 U and Ultimate Aaliyah arriving on October 8.
Aaliyah died in a 2001 airplane accident at age 22. Previously, her lone album available on streaming services was 1994 debut, Age Ain't Nothing but a Number.