Aaliyah’s Uncle Weighs In On Alleged Sample On Normani & Cardi B’s “Wild Side”
He said Aaliyah would be “very supportive” of the song.
Normani and Cardi B’s new single, “Wild Side,” pays tribute to Aaliyah in its music video, and many fans also believe the song directly samples the late R&B star’s “One in A Million.” However, the song’s credits don’t contain any reference to Aaliyah or writers and producers Timbaland and Missy Elliott, and the infamously shadowy administration of Aaliyah’s estate left many wondering how a sample would get cleared at all. Barry Hankerson, Aaliyah’s uncle and the manager of her catalog, recently weighed in to TMZ, saying he thinks Aaliyah would support the song and that it’s clearly meant to reference her music.
“I believe that Aaliyah would be very supportive of a young Black woman that chose to emulate her music and style,” he said, noting that she “always encouraged young women pursuing their musical and entertainment careers, to achieve their dreams.”
Hankerson did add that it would have been “more honorable” to consult with the estate first, but clarified that there wouldn’t be any legal action. “I will not stand in the way of something that brings to light the incredible staying power of Aaliyah,” he said. “So in that light, wishing Normani well with the song and overall career. God bless. I think Aaliyah would be pleased.”
A Blackground attorney told TMZ that they never cleared a sample for “Wild Side,” but Normani’s team also told the gossip outlet that the song doesn’t contain a direct sample. However, it does appear the drums on “Wild Side” are an interpolation or at least an homage to “One In A Million.”
Timbaland shared a video of himself listening to Normani’s song, showcasing his own approval without addressing whether or not it directly samples his work with Aaliyah. Normani responded to a fan sharing Timbaland’s video and referencing a “sample” on “Wild Side” in a now-deleted tweet:
Aaliyah released all three of her albums via Hankerson’s Blackground Records, which still has full control of the masters for her latter two projects, One In A Million and Aaliyah. Blackground has famously refused to bring Aaliyah’s albums to streaming services or digital retailers, leaving them difficult to access in a world of digital music consumption. Despite these barriers, the singer’s catalog continues to inspire new generations, as Normani showcases with “Wild Side.”
Read all the lyrics to Normani’s “Wild Side” featuring Cardi B and Aaliyah’s “One in a Million” on Genius now.
