She first gained recognition at the age of 10, when she appeared on the television show Star Search and performed in concert alongside Gladys Knight. At the age of 12, Aaliyah signed with Jive Records and her uncle Barry Hankerson's Blackground Records. She released her debut album, Age Ain't Nothing but a Number the album sold three million copies in the United States and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry.
Aaliyah worked with record producers Timbaland and Missy Elliott for her second album, One in a Million, which sold three million copies in the United States and more than eight million copies worldwide. In 2000, Aaliyah appeared in her first film, Romeo Must Die. She contributed to the film's soundtrack, which spawned the single "Try Again". The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 solely on airplay, making Aaliyah the first artist in Billboard history to achieve this goal. After completing Romeo Must Die, Aaliyah filmed her role in Queen of the Damned, and released, in 2001, her self-titled third and final studio album, which topped the Billboard 200. Unfortunately, the 22 year old singer's life was tragically cut short in a 2001 plane crash after filming her video for "Rock The Boat" in The Bahamas.
Aaliyah became famous in her own right during the mid-1990s with several hit records from the songwriting/production team of Missy Elliott and Timbaland, and their associate Steve "Static" Garrett. Notable for recording several hit singles, including "One in A Million" and "Try Again", Aaliyah has sold over 32 million records total worldwide, including posthumous releases. Two posthumous albums have been released since Haughton's death: I Care 4 U in December 2002, and Ultimate Aaliyah in April 2005, the latter of which was released as a box set that included her greatest hits and a documentary on her life. Haughton also ventured outside of music, modeling for Tommy Hilfiger and starring in two motion pictures (Romeo Must Die & Queen of The Damned) before her untimely death.
Death of a Playa
Aaliyah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Leave them, kiss them
Break their hearts
But now I got you in my arms
You used to get them,
Trick them, diss them
Do them wrong,
Everybody knew about you baby
And the games you played
Couldn't count the names
Faces and numbers
Nor the times you laid down
But somebody knew about you baby
And that you'd change
It was me 'cause I could see
My love would turn you around
You used to love them
Leave them, kiss them
Break their hearts
But now I got you in my arms
You used to get them
Trick them, diss them
Do them wrong,
But now your playa days are gone
I always say never say never boy
But you did
That's when I took your mind
And flipped the script
Your boys talkin' 'bout you're falling off
And that you're whipped
But who are they
To say
When it's all my love I give to you
You used to love them
Leave them, kiss them
Break their hearts,
But now I got you in my arms
You used to get them
Trick them, diss them
Do them wrong,
But now your playa days are gone
The song "Death of a Playa" by Aaliyah tells the story of a former player who has now met the one person who has been able to change his ways. In the first verse, Aaliyah sings about how the person used to love them, leave them, kiss them, and break their hearts, but now they are in her arms. The second verse talks about how this person used to trick and disrespect the women they were with, but now they have changed their ways.
Aaliyah then sings about how everyone knew about this person's playboy ways, and how they had been with countless women. However, she saw something in him that others didn't, and knew that her love would be enough to make him change. She mentions that even though his friends were talking about how he was falling off and whipped, she was the one giving him all her love.
The chorus repeats the idea that this person used to be a player who would love them, leave them, and break their hearts, but now that person is in Aaliyah's arms, and their player days are over. This song celebrates how the right person can change even the most committed player, and shows the transformative power of love.
Line by Line Meaning
You used to love them
Leave them, kiss them
Break their hearts
But now I got you in my arms
You used to date around and not commit to any one person, but now you are in a relationship with me.
You used to get them,
Trick them, diss them
Do them wrong,
But now your playa days are gone
You used to manipulate and mistreat your past partners, but you have changed and are no longer a player.
Everybody knew about you baby
And the games you played
Couldn't count the names
Faces and numbers
Nor the times you laid down
Others were aware of your behavior in relationships and how many people you had been with. It was impossible to keep track of all the people and times you were involved with.
But somebody knew about you baby
And that you'd change
It was me 'cause I could see
My love would turn you around
I saw that you had the potential to change and become a better partner, and my love for you motivated and supported that change.
I always say never say never boy
But you did
That's when I took your mind
And flipped the script
I believed that you could change and be faithful, despite your past. When you proved me right and changed, it changed our dynamic and relationship.
Your boys talkin' 'bout you're falling off
And that you're whipped
But who are they
To say
When it's all my love I give to you
Your friends may think that you are no longer cool or free because you are in a committed relationship, but their opinions do not matter. The love and commitment we share is more important than their judgment.
Lyrics © CRYSTAL AIRE MUSIC
Written by: Aaliyah Haughton, Rashad Haughton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
A.
love this sort of dark essence the song has! her low notes are sick too 🔥Aaliyah Forever 💛
Donalveon
Mane Aaliyah knew where music was headed...i can just imagine what she wouldve came up with today, its like she sparked creativity...we would be way past the hihat drums in beats.
Prince Von
I agree 💯💯
RainbowArtEntertainment
This song is so good it's like a whole movie just the sound of a star
Ryan Wilson
The feeling I felt when I went to look for my copy of this cd last year...I just knew it was there! I just knew I was gonna rip it to iTunes! It was the first of a handful that was gone!
Thank God her catalog is finally coming to streaming services in less than a week!!
Andres Flores
It’s happening tonight
cryosteam
@The Hood Pope possibly next year...apparently the estate is in talks. we will see
The Hood Pope
@Mr. Modè still waiting
Mr. Modè
Ryan Wilson yeah “Barry Hankerson” played us🙄😪
Mortez
How can you not love this beautiful voice and style ❤❤