Aaliyah A Virgin?


Singer, actress, and Tommy Hilfiger model Aaliyah is reportedly moving to Virgin Records with Barry Hankerson's Blackground Records, which recently closed a deal with Virgin that includes a roster of new artists. Hankerson is both Aaliyah's uncle and her manager.

Aaliyah reportedly signed with Virgin after being impressed by the label's handling of the Romeo Must Die soundtrack, which features four new Aaliyah tracks, including her new hit "Try Again"; she also stars in that film opposite martial artist Jet Li and Delroy Lindo.

Virgin insists that Aaliyah is all theirs, but Atlantic Records claims the singer technically still owes them music: "They kind of eased out the back door," says one Atlantic source. Hankerson and Atlantic butted heads during their business relationship, and if he has his way Aaliyah will walk away from her former label without delivering a note. Furthermore, Atlantic has attempted to sign artists signed to Blackground, which is a violation of a standard "no raid clause." While there is some sadness at Atlantic because of Aaliyah's decision to go, no tears are being shed over the departure of Hankerson and Blackground. One Atlantic executive said he felt sorry for Hankerson's future labelmates at Virgin, who will now have to deal with him.

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