Following her passing in 2001, the question of what Aaliyah could have been was she alive today is a question many still find themselves asking today.

To some, she was on her way to becoming the biggest crossover act of the noughties, rising above her R&B princess status to enjoy the global acclaim the likes of Beyonce & Rihanna enjoy today.

Now, long time friend Timbaland has weighed in on the matter.

His thoughts below…

During an interview with Power 105.1′s ‘The Breakfast Club‘, he confessed:

I think she would have been Beyoncé status ’cause she was the first one who was doing all those things.

 Then, on Drake‘s hint at a duet with the late star, he revealed:

I know they tryna drop some  records. I got something that I never put out. I’m trying to get one done now just for the fans, but if [Drake] do it, it should be with me and him and Missy. The best decision what the fans would want to see is all three of us. It can’t be something to make money off of ’cause I think it’s wrong to make money off the dead.

While some choose to dirty the Beyonce/Aaliyah comparison with ‘fan boy’ type comparisons, it is likely the pair would have been friendly rivals if the latter was still here.

Sure, while she was set to make the transition to the A List faster than Knowles was (and give her a run for her money as far as popularity goes), it’s silly to think they couldn’t happily co-exist in the way Prince and Michael did back in the 80s.

Both  talented with immense  potential, it’s a shame we never got to see the pair excel together in the way many would have hoped.

Still, with a legacy of timeless music under her belt, Aaliyah’s mark will live far longer than the conjecture, and to be honest- that’s all that really matters.