Timbaland recently sat down with media and spoke on Drake trying to release a song with Aaliyah vocals; ulimately resulting in a collaboration. He stated that he heard about it through the grapevine and was never contacted regarding the situation. He said, ultimately, the choice is up to Barry Hankerson, Aaliyah’s uncle, and manager of the record label Aaliyah was signed to, Blackground Records.

Barry Hankerson KNOWS better than to approve rights for Drake to do a song with Aaliyah without Missy and Timbaland. Although Timbaland does not own Aaliyah’s copyrights, him and Missy were a BIG impact in shaping Aaliyah’s sound and it would be straight trifling for Barry Hankerson to release it without their consent.

In the interview, Timbaland stated that if the collaboration was ever made it should not be for profit, Timbaland was right. This should be done solely for charity purposes. Do not use Aaliyah to make a hit. People know how loyal Aaliyah’s fans are and to use that again them is so trifling. All honesty, I don’t even want Aaliyah on a Drake track. They did the same thing with Pac’s legacy. Instead of letting him bow out gracefully, they keep releasing bad music by Pac. Pac put out the music that he did for a reason. There was a reason he has songs that didn’t make the cut. Let them stay where they are. The I Care 4 U album was pushing it and I think any Aaliyah fan will agree, it was NOT her best work. It’s so funny how everyone wants Aaliyah to rest in “peace” but won’t give her peace to rest.

I understand Drake has an obsession with her. But if you love her that much, you would respect her enough to not try to release something she has no consent over.

Anyway, of course, my opinion doesn’t matter. So if you are going to do it, do it right. Putting Missy and Timbaland on the track is literally the only right way.

““I know they tryna drop some Aaliyah records. I got something that I never put out. I’m trying to get one done now just for the fans, but if [Drake] do it, it should be with me and him and Missy. The best decision what the fans would want to see is all three of us. It can’t be something to make money off of ’cause I think it’s wrong to make money off the dead.” – Timbaland

Timbaland also speaks on Beyonce and Aaliyah comparisons. He hints Aaliyah is the better singer and would take a little work, but could of been to where Beyonce is. Coming from an Aaliyah STAN (who also happens to love Beyonce), I appreciate that honesty. So often, we get in our feelings about Aaliyah’s sudden death that we dismiss factual information. Yes, Aaliyah was a GREAT artist but just because we love her, we can’t dismiss Beyonce on all the things she has done for Hip Hop, R&B and pop.

“Cause she was the first one that’s doing all those things. I’ll tell you straight up… She wasn’t the fabulous singer. She was a great singer. Could she probably beat Beyonce? No, but if she had more practice up til now, she could’ve been as good as Beyonce, with a lighter tone.” – Timbaland

Watch the full interview below.

REESE LEW