Missy Elliott Reveals Aaliyah's "One In A Million" Demo Was Created For "Rap Singing"

BY Erika Marie 7.2K Views
Link Copied to Clipboard!
Roy Rochlin / Stringer / Getty Images
Missy Elliott, Aaliyah, Timbaland, One in a Million, Rap Singing
Missy & Timbaland wrote the song & she explained how her views of her own talents helped shape the classic single.

The friendship involving Timbaland, Aaliyah, and Missy Elliott was tried and true, but many fans are more familiar with their collaborations than their personal relationship. The trio was of a select group of Hip Hop and R&B artists that dominated the 1990s music scene, but before Aaliyah was able to continue her goals into the 2000s, the 22-year-old songbird tragically died in a plane crash back in 2001.

Since her untimely passing, both Missy and Timbaland have not only honored her legacy, but they often pop up with memories unknown to the public. On Friday (May 14), Missy gave a "fun fact" about Aaliyah's 1996 single "One in a Million," a track that was written by both Tim and Missy.

"Funfact because I didn’t think I was a singer singer I would rap sing all the songs I did. If you listen to Aaliyah 'One in A Million' it was rap singing a bounce to the melody because that’s the only way I thought I sounded decent in the demos [shrrug emoji]." In today's music scene, "rap-singing" is a norm and often, it's difficult to determine if an artist that many consider a rapper should truly be classified as a singer. 

Missy has been one of the leading innovators in the music industry, and whether one categorizes her as a singer or rapper, or overall entertainer, fans can't get enough. Check out Missy's tweets and take a trip down memory lane with Aaliyah's "One in a Million" below and let us know if you can hear the "rap-singing" element of its production.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

Comments 1
Page was generated in 1.455451965332