One in a Million (1996)

One in a Million is the second studio album by the American singer Aaliyah. It was released on August 13, 1996, by Blackground Records and Atlantic Records. Largely a collaborative effort with Timbaland and Missy Elliott, the album is an R&B, pop, and hip-hop record experimenting with genres such as trip-hop, electronica, funk, and jungle music. Its lyrical themes predominantly address relationship circumstances, such as commitment, abstinence, and heartbreak.

After facing allegations of an illegal marriage with her mentor R. Kelly following the success of her debut studio album, Age Ain't Nothing but a Number (1994), Aaliyah severed all ties with him, while Blackground ended its partnership with Jive Records and signed a new distribution deal with Atlantic. Throughout that period of turmoil, Aaliyah began recording her second studio album with Sean Combs, who soon abandoned the project, prompting Aaliyah and her management to seek new collaborators. She subsequently began recording with producers such as Jermaine Dupri, Vincent Herbert, and Craig King, before meeting the previously unknown Timbaland and Missy Elliott, who quickly became the primary contributors for One in a Million.

On release, One in a Million garnered generally positive reviews from music critics, mostly directed towards the innovative production and Aaliyah's progressed vocal performance. It debuted at number 20 on the US Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 40,500 copies, before reaching number 18. Internationally, One in a Million peaked within the top 40 in Canada, Japan, and the UK. In June 1997, the album was certified double platinum in the US by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). By 2011, it had sold over three million copies domestically and eight million worldwide.

One in a Million was heavily and extensively promoted with media appearances and live performances. It produced six singles—"If Your Girl Only Knew", "Got to Give It Up", "One in a Million", "4 Page Letter", "The One I Gave My Heart To" and "Hot Like Fire"—with "The One I Gave My Heart To" becoming the highest-peaking single on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number nine. Following its 2021 reissue, the album peaked at number 10 on the US Billboard 200. Retrospectively, it has been listed among the best albums of its era and genre by numerous publications. It has further been credited for re-establishing Aaliyah's image, elevating the careers of Timbaland and Elliott, and influencing mainstream music trends of subsequent decades.

Background and development

After Aaliyah's uncle Barry Hankerson obtained a distribution deal with Jive Records, he signed her to his label Blackground Records when she was 12 years old. He introduced her to R. Kelly, who became her mentor, as well as the sole producer for her debut studio album Age Ain't Nothing but a Number (1994). A commercial success, the album was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), selling three million copies in the United States and six million worldwide. To promote the album, Aaliyah embarked on a 1994–1995 world tour throughout the US, Europe, Japan, and South Africa. She soon faced allegations of an illegal marriage with Kelly, consequently ending her partnership with Jive and severing ties with Kelly. According to Aaliyah's cousin and Blackground executive Jomo Hankerson, the music industry "villainized" Aaliyah for the scandal, which caused difficulty with enlisting producers for One in a Million "except for a couple of relationships with Jermaine Dupri and Puffy". Aaliyah reflected on the situation, saying she faced the adversity by refusing to give up singing as it was her passion, and that she used the support from her fans as inspiration for recording One in a Million.

Following her departure from Jive, Aaliyah transferred to Atlantic Records in June 1996, as Blackground signed a new distribution deal with the label. In a press release surrounding One in a Million, Aaliyah admitted to being "a little anxious" over transitioning from Jive to Atlantic and reformulating her musical style. However, considering the label switch and a new team of collaborators, the album was intended to re-establish Aaliyah's fanbase and broaden her mainstream appeal, as it featured contributions from a wider range of producers–unlike Age Ain't Nothing but a Number, which was produced solely by Kelly. While speaking with the Associated Press, Aaliyah claimed One in a Million showcased her growth over the prior two years, especially in her vocal range. She also noted that she took artistic risks by experimenting with different styles, and felt the record showcased divergent sides of her personality.