Normani has returned from her seemingly forever hiatus and is back in the lime light with her brand new single ‘Wild Side’. It is no doubt that this new release is straight up fire, it would seem that the R&B singer had not received permission to Sample Aaliyah’s One in a million. As most people know it is very rare that artists get their hands on an approved Aaliyah sample seeing that her music isn’t even available on streaming platforms.
Barry Hankerson, Aaliyah’s uncle and manager of her catalog, claims that permission wasn’t granted to sample the song. Hankerson Told TMZ that it would have been “more honorable” had Normani sought approval to use “One in a Million,” however, showed support to Normani’s single noting that “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.”
And though both camps may be a little bit on defense right now, with Normani’s team saying that “Wild Side” does not actually use a direct sample of Aaliyah’s 1996 single. Super Producer Timbaland has given his stamp of approval on the track.
.@Timbaland singing along to and praising "Wild Side" on his Instagram story.❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/MVtdmXPIKM
— Normani Updates (@NormaniUpdate) July 16, 2021