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Aaliyah’s estate issues a statement about unauthorized projects from the late singer

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Sal Idriss/Redferns

The estate of Aaliyah Haughton has issued a statement about protecting the singer’s legacy after her former label teased allegedly “unauthorized projects.”

The statement appeared on Aaliyah’s official Instagram and Twitter Wednesday night, noting unusual “tactics” from those trying to “leech off” her unreleased music.

“… For 20 years, we have battled behind the scenes, enduring shadowy tactics of deception with unauthorized projects targeted to tarnish,” the statement reads. “We have always been confused as to why there is such a tenacity in causing more pain alongside what we already have to cope with for the rest of our lives.”

“Now, in this 20th year, this unscrupulous endeavor to release Aaliyah’s music without any transparency or full accounting to the estate compels our hearts to express a word: forgiveness,” the message continues. “Although we will continue to defend ourselves and her legacy lawfully and justly, we want to preempt the inevitable attacks on our character by all the individuals who have emerged from the shadows to leech off of Aaliyah’s life’s work.”

The statement adds that Aaliyah’s estate “desire[s] closure and a modicum of peace so we can facilitate the growth of the Aaliyah Memorial Fund and other creative projects that embody Aaliyah’s true essence, which is to inspire strength and positivity for people of all creeds, races, and cultures around the world.”

The statement arrives not long after Aaliyah’s former label, Blackground Records, hinted at releasing her music on the website AaliyahIsComing.com. The singer’s uncle and co-founder, Barry Hankerson, is currently reviving the label as Blackground Records 2.0.

Aaliyah died in a plane crash in 2001 at age 22. She released three albums during her brief career, but only her 1994 multi-platinum debut, Age Ain’t Nothing but a Numberis available for streaming.

 

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