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.
Down With the Clique
Aaliyah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So show your peace while the beat drops
And if you're in the house just throw your hands up
And let me see my brothers and sisters spread love
And if you're not down there's something wrong see
'Cause see my project homies, they got my back G
Droppin' a old school with a new school
PA's in the house and it's a good thing
Well if you down with the clique
Let me hear you say (I'm down wit it)
Well if you down with the clique
Let me hear you say (I'm down wit it)
Well if you down with the clique
Let me hear you say (I'm down wit it)
Well if you down with the clique
Let me hear you say (I'm down wit it)
Now it's a phone checker, I musn't do this
And if you didn't know I thought you knew this
It took a little time but now it's on see
You been waiting for so long to beep me
So check check check it out, all the dogs in the house (woof woof woof)
So pump your fist in the air and say
R. Kelly's on the track and it's a good thing
Well if you down with the clique
Let me hear you say (I'm down wit it)
Well if you down with the clique
Let me hear you say (I'm down wit it)
Well if you down with the clique
Let me hear you say (I'm down wit it)
Well if you down with the clique
Let me hear you say (I'm down wit it)
(break it down)
Tonight is the night that I
I take you boy and I put you in my good thing all night
First we have the Black ground posse in her clique
Then we have the funky second chapter in her clique
PA's in the house and yes you know they're in her clique
And all the project homies are down with the clique
Well now we have the double extra large in her clique
Plus we have the DA to the Smahd in her clique
Then we have the down town posse in her clique
Peace to the hood cause ya down with her clique
The song "Down With the Clique" by Aaliyah is a fun and positive hip-hop track about unity and camaraderie within her circle of friends or "clique." The lyrics encourage people to show love and throw their hands up in the air if they are part of this group. Aaliyah also raps about the support she gets from her "project homies" and gives a shoutout to the other members of her clique, which include the Black Ground Posse, the Funky Second Chapter, PA's, the Double Extra Large, DA to the Smahd, and the Downtown Posse.
The song has a catchy beat, which makes it perfect for dancing and partying. In the second verse, R. Kelly joins in with a rap about checking his phone and getting a call from Aaliyah. He encourages others to pump their fists and acknowledge that he's on the track as well. Overall, the song is a celebration of friendship and the joy of being part of a community.
Interestingly, "Down With the Clique" was released as a B-side for Aaliyah's first major single, "Back and Forth." The song was co-written and produced by R. Kelly, who would go on to work with Aaliyah on several other tracks. Additionally, the song's music video was directed by Millicent Shelton, who also directed videos for other R&B and hip-hop artists like TLC, Salt-N-Pepa, and Outkast.
Line by Line Meaning
Well now I guess it's time for me to wreck shop
Now is the time for me to take center stage and showcase my abilities
So show your peace while the beat drops
Show your enthusiasm and energy for the music when the beat drops
And if you're in the house just throw your hands up
If you're present, show your excitement by throwing your hands up in the air
And let me see my brothers and sisters spread love
Allow me to witness everyone, regardless of background, show love and unity
And if you're not down there's something wrong see
If you don't feel connected or supportive, there may be something wrong with you
'Cause see my project homies, they got my back G
My friends from the project always have my support and loyalty
Droppin' a old school with a new school
Mixing classic elements with modern ones in the music
PA's in the house and it's a good thing
PA is present and it's a favorable situation
Well if you down with the clique
If you are part of this group
Let me hear you say (I'm down wit it)
Express your membership by declaring that you are indeed part of this group
Now it's a phone checker, I musn't do this
Now it's time to check my phone, but I shouldn't do that
And if you didn't know I thought you knew this
If you weren't aware of it, you should have been
It took a little time but now it's on see
It took a while to get here but now things are happening as planned
You been waiting for so long to beep me
You've been waiting for a while to contact me
So check check check it out, all the dogs in the house (woof woof woof)
Take a look around and observe the lively atmosphere
So pump your fist in the air and say
Show your excitement by pumping your fist in the air and shouting
R. Kelly's on the track and it's a good thing
R. Kelly is involved and it's a favorable situation
Tonight is the night that I
Tonight is the night when I will
I take you boy and I put you in my good thing all night
I spend tonight with you in a good way that you'll enjoy
First we have the Black ground posse in her clique
Firstly, Aaliyah's clique comprises the Black ground posse
Then we have the funky second chapter in her clique
Secondly, the funky second chapter is included in her clique
PA's in the house and yes you know they're in her clique
Additionally, we have PA in the house and it's common knowledge they're in her clique
And all the project homies are down with the clique
Further, all of her project homies are members of her clique
Well now we have the double extra large in her clique
Next, the double extra large is part of her clique
Plus we have the DA to the Smahd in her clique
Furthermore, the DA to the Smahd is among her clique
Then we have the down town posse in her clique
Then, there's the down-town posse in her clique
Peace to the hood cause ya down with her clique
Show appreciation to the community for being supportive of Aaliyah's clique
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Robert S. Kelly
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind