New Song By Aaliyah Released As Tribute In Timbaland’s New Mixtape ‘King Stays King’

American rapper and record producer Timbaland has released a special treat for hip hop and R&B fans – a new Aaliyah song that she recorded before her tragic death more than 14 years ago.

Entitled “Shakin’,” the new song was released as part of Timbaland’s new mixtape, King Stays King. The 43-year-old songwriter and DJ dedicated the release to Aaliyah and posted a touching tweet on Christmas Day.

“Aaliyah.. This is for you baby,” the rapper said as he uploaded his mixtape on SoundCloud.

Aaliyah.. This is for you baby. Download #KingStaysKing NOW! https://t.co/85JsmmixUu pic.twitter.com/flh58d1m8U

— Timbaland (@Timbaland) December 25, 2015

“Shakin'” is a duet by Aaliyah and Timbaland that was recorded before the R&B singer passed away in a plane crash on Aug. 25, 2001 in the Bahamas. She was only 22.

The song talks about a man who keeps Aaliyah ‘shakin’ with “his love makin,” and the singer’s vocals definitely bring back the 90’s jive.

Timbaland collaborated with Aaliyah on a number of popular songs including “I Am Music,” “Are You That Somebody,” and “Try Again.”

‘Try Again’ by Aaliyah Featuring Timbaland

In the years after the singer’s death, a number of hip hop icons and artists have included Aaliyah’s vocals in their songs in honor of her memory.

In 2013, Chris Brown “sang with Aaliyah” in “Don’t Think They Know,” while Drake did the same in his own song, “Enough Said” in 2014.

‘Enough Said’ by Aaliyah Featuring Drake

However, Timbaland said that Aaliyah’s songs only work with him because she is his soulmate.

“People always say, ‘I’m going to do a song with Aaliyah.’ It will never work. Chris Brown got a record, it won’t work. Drake can go do a record with Aaliyah, it ain’t gonna work. Aaliyah music only work with its soulmate, which is me,” he said.

Timbaland, whose real name is Timothy Mosley, has also hinted several months ago that he had an unreleased track that he did with the late R&B singer.

The fact that Timbaland was able to release it and included it in his own mixtape is not only proof of the bond between him and Aaliyah, but it seems the late singer’s family also approves of it.

Record producer J-Dub Walker attempted in 2012 to launch an album that featured Aaliyah’s demo vocals from when she was still alive, but the project was shut down by the singer’s brother, Rashad Haughton.

Similarly, Aaliyah’s mom, Diane Haughton, shut down a tribute that Drake organized in 2014.

These instances could mean that Timbaland has the blessing of Aaliyah’s family in releasing new songs.

In a report, Timbaland has revealed that his closeness with Aaliyah was both on a professional and personal level. He even admitted that he was in love with the singer, although he tried to fight it and become her older brother because of their age difference.

“Oh man, I was fightin,’ I was fightin’ a lot—a big war. But I loved Aaliyah,” said the hip hop producer.

Timbaland is seen occasionally dropping messages and photos of Aaliyah photos on social media to pay tribute to the artist’s memory and her music.

According to a report from Billboard, Timbaland’s new mixtape serves as a preview to his upcoming album, Textbook Timbo, which would be released next year.

However, it is not clear whether “Timbo” has more of these 90’s unreleased music from him and Aaliyah. It sure would be a treat to the songstress’ fans if she still has some hidden gems waiting to be released.

[Image by George De Sota, Getty Images]