While her previous collaborator, Timbaland, provided the backbone for her sophomore success,
The album also broke ground in its aesthetic. The cover art—Aaliyah in a leather cap, silver makeup, and a stark stare—was minimalist and fierce. The music videos (directed by Hype Williams, Dave Meyers, and others) used chroma-key effects, futuristic minimalism, and martial arts choreography. aaliyah 2001 album
Legacy