Baby Girl: Better Known as Aaliyah

By: Kathy Iandoli

Narrated by: Bahni Turpin, Kathy Iandoli

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 22 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.

©2021 Katherine Iandoli. All rights reserved. (P)2021 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Great read! Had me hooked!

This book actually gave me closure on Aaliyah’s passing. I was 11 years old when she passed. I remember being a fan of hers but too young to truly know her life story. This book helped me understand her trajectory in music a bit more. I couldn’t put it down! I love hearing how artists rise and make it big. I don’t feel this book was disrespectful to her memory at all. Only con of this book is I do feel the author spoke too much on R Kelly in the beginning chapters. She could have shortened it a bit! Overall, it was a great read that will help you understand Aaliyah’s career trajectory and what she went through a lot more.

Offers no real insight

I was so excited when I heard there was going to be a new biography on the life of the legendary Aaliyah and I so looked forward to reading this book. Despite Aaliyah’s family not participating nor any close friends the book promised to be a telling account of the all too short life of Aaliyah. Sadly the reader doesn’t get much insight into who Aaliyah was and how she felt abt the things she endured, achieved and overcame. The book is basically a copy plaster job of everything we already know abt her.
I’m hoping someday Aaliyah’s family will have the strength to tell her story because it certainly deserves to be told by them.

Beware!!

Beware the voice you hear in the sample is not the voice reading the story, only the introduction. I wish I had known that so I could have bought the ebook instead. The lady who reads the actual story is PAINFUL to listen to. She sounds exactly like a female automated voice. I actually wonder if it is one, she mispronounced alot of things, such as, Christina Aguilera & is extremely monotone and dull..listening is painful. I will probably buy the ebook anyway I doubt I can listen to this anymore, even when I am listening I cant pay attention to this broad.

Great From Beginning to End

I can say I remember where I was when I heard of this Beautiful young Ladies death. This book was well read and explained ALOT. I recommend anyone to listen/read this book. Rest In Peace Baby Girl!!!

Boring narrative’s and too much about R Kelly.

R Kelly was mentioned way to much in this book, I understand R Kelly was a big part of her career and early success but come on. This barely touched on Aaliyah’s personal life or who she was as a person. Disappointing I expected something better, Aaliyah deserved better.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

It felt great to run through the story of Aaliyah again yet sad at the same time. The fact that her story of being in the industry begins with the likes of Robert leaves a nasty feeling on my soul. She was the most high profile victim who escaped & never wanted to discuss it again. Very well so, she went on to become bigger than she lived to see yet I believe she knew she was the most high exalted one at all times.
The book read like it was citing quotes from every interview & article that could be found on her which had it's positives. Bahni reading the story left me feeling some negatives about it though. I'm just not a fan of how she reads stories.
I lived through the Aaliyah era & I idolized her. I even got a chance to meet her. I appreciated the story from a fan's pov yet I still wonder about the story of who she really was. With so many other people in charge of her career the world will never know just how amazing she truly was. Thank you Kathy Iandoli for giving us fans a little bit more understanding into who she was. Rest in Heaven our sweet angel.

Love the storyline

Pros: I’m glad we finally got a glimpse into Aaliyah’s rise to fame. I LOVE her music always, and can’t wait until her music is available to stream.

Cons: I HATE the tone of how the book started, and made the intro about Kels. I’m really glad the author didn’t narrate this book. I would’ve had to just read the hardback copy instead.

Baby Girl

Loved it...very interesting and teaching. Truly followed her life. Rest in Peace Aaliyah. Enjoyed it

Lots of filler

There was a lot of filler in the book. things to pad out what was. unfortunately, a too short life to begin with. About midway through the R. Kelly stuff (which I feel wasn't needed) and up to her death, I liked it. However, before and after seemed like padding. This could've been a long article or essay instead of a book. Also, I'm sorry, but the voice was very monotonous. Not expressive at all, almost robotic at times. I would've rather the author read it all as she did at the start.

Aaliyah is Baby Girl💞

Loved it! It detailed information not previously highlighted in other bios. Thank you for this!