Baby Girl: Better Known as Aaliyah

In a definitive and “excellent homage to a star who left this planet too soon” (Questlove), the life, career, tragic death, and evolution of Aaliyah into a music legend are explored—featuring in-depth research and exclusive interviews.

By twenty-two years old, Aaliyah had already accomplished a staggering amount: hit records, acclaimed acting roles, and fame that was just about to cross over into superstardom. Like her song, she was already “more than a woman” but her shocking death in a plane crash prevented her from fully growing into one.

Now, two decades later, the full story of Aaliyah’s life and cultural impact is finally and lovingly revealed. Baby Girl features never-before-told stories, including studio anecdotes, personal tales, and eyewitness accounts on the events leading up to her untimely passing. Her enduring influence on today’s artists—such as Rihanna, Drake, Normani, and many more—is also celebrated, providing Aaliyah’s discography a cultural critique that is long overdue.

“There’s no better way to pay your respect to R&B’s true angel than to lose yourself in the pages” (Kim Osorio, journalist and author of Straight from the Source) of this “dazzling biography” (Publishers Weekly) that is as unforgettable as its subject.

This book was written without the participation of Aaliyah’s family/estate.

Kathy Iandoli is a critically acclaimed hip-hop journalist and author of God Save the Queens: The Essential History of Women in Hip-Hop. She’s written for numerous publications including Vibe, The Source, The Village Voice, Rolling Stone, and many more. A professor-in-residence of music business at New York University, Kathy routinely serves as a TV and radio panelist for discussions on hip-hop and gender. She lives in New York City.