via Instagram (@aaliyah)Music / NewsMusic / NewsAaliyah’s estate warns of ‘unauthorised projects’ ahead of anniversaryThe Estate of Aaliyah Haughton said it had ‘battled behind the scenes’ against ‘shadowy tactics’ShareLink copied ✔️August 5, 2021August 5, 2021TextFelicity Martin As the 20th anniversary of Aaliyah’s death approaches, fans have been teased with a new streaming release after the Instagram account Blackground Records 2.0 revealed a new website and the hashtag #AaliyahIsComing. Much of the late R&B star’s music is missing from streaming services, with only her early singles and debut album, 1994’s Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number, currently available on digital streaming platforms. Blackground Records, owned by the singer’s uncle and former manager Barry Hankerson, was responsible for the majority of Aaliyah’s music. Hankerson owns the majority of Aaliyah’s masters (aside from her debut album), and he’s confirmed that he’s behind the label’s “2.0” revival. Yesterday (August 4), the Estate of Aaliyah Haughton shared a statement explaining how it has “battled behind the scenes, enduring shadowy tactics of deception with unauthorised projects targeted to tarnish.” The statement criticised an “unscrupulous endeavor to release Aaliyah’s music without any transparency or full accounting to the estate.” “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 post continues. “Ultimately, we desire 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.” Many fans have reacted to the news by pleading with the estate to permit the release of her music. “You guys claim to be protecting her legacy but what you are actually doing is erasing it,” one Twitter user wrote. Read the estate’s statement in full below. Escape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy Expand your creative community and connect with 15,000 creatives from around the world.READ MORESwedish House Mafia unpack their Miami Ultra festival mega-set2Slimey isn’t here to be a meme artist: ‘I want a fucking Grammy’ Nourished by Time: ‘Music should be fun – but it can’t be fun all the time’K-pop has an AI problemCoals are kickstarting Poland’s dream pop sceneEvilgiane’s camera roll from his tour with Snow StrippersFinnish alt-pop star Pehmoaino: ‘Art helps us survive this dark country’10 great albums you may have missed in the last three monthsLamb is making ‘electronic lyrical’ music that sounds like no one elseArabic shoegaze duo Kiss Facility speak a language deeper than words‘Nazis can’t dance’: Photos from London’s House Against Hate protest rave5 tracks you can’t miss from March 2026Escape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy