Aaliyah, Are You That Somebody? | Bangerz N Bopz 🔥

In the 49th edition of Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 (2025), we highlight “Are You That Somebody?” performed by Aaliyah.  

Bring on the bold, fierce songs! Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 serves up background info and insight into songs of various styles, especially songs that raise eyebrows and stir the pot.  Featured records can be classic or brand new. In the 49^th edition of Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 (2025), we break down “Are You That Somebody?” performed by Aaliyah.

“(Uh) / Dirty South (Uh-huh), can y’all really feel me? (Feel us) / East Coast, feel me (Feel us), West Coast, feel me (Say what?).” Woo! In 1998, Grammy-nominated R&B singer Aaliyah (1979 – 2001) unleashed a surefire R&B banger: “Are You That Somebody?”. Timbaland and the late Static Major (1974 – 2008) wrote this classic. Timbaland, then one of the most innovative producers in the game, also produced it. “Are You That Somebody?” samples two songs, according to WhoSampled: “People Say” by The Meters and “Happy Baby” by Jac Holzman. It originally appeared on the soundtrack for the 1998 movie Dr. Doolittle. It ultimately appeared on Aaliyah’s posthumously released 2002, platinum-certified compilation album, I Care 4 U.  “Somebody” impacted the pop charts, peaking at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2023, the Recording Industry Association of America certified the single gold. “Somebody” earned her first Grammy nomination at the 41^st Annual Grammy Awards for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. Who beat her in a stacked category? The one-and-only Lauryn Hill for the once-in-a-lifetime bop, “Doo Wop (That Thing)”.

“Are You That Somebody” begins with Timbaland setting the tone with his infectious vocals and signature, electronic-tinged, innovative beats.  At the time, he was one of the freshest, most unique producers in the game, and he shows off his skills mightily from the jump. Aaliyah steps in, beginning in the first verse, wowing with her angelic, smooth, and sultry vocals.  She doesn’t hold back her feelings, asserting, “Boy, I’ve been watching you like the hawk in the sky / That flies, but you were my prey.” The melody is rhythmic, tuneful, and instantly catches the ears.  In the second verse, we get more of the same: “Oh, boy, see I’m trusting you with my heart, my soul / I probably shouldn’t let you.” Yeah, probably not, but the heart wants what it wants, right? The section to beat is the chorus, one of my personal favorites of the 1990s, hands down:

“If I let this go

You can’t tell nobody, I’m talkin’ ‘bout nobody

Are you responsible

Boy I gotta watch my back, ‘cause I’m not just anybody

Is it my go, is it your go?

Sometimes, I’m goody-goody

Right now, I’m naughty-naughty

Say yes or say no, ‘cause I really need somebody

Tell me, are you that somebody?”

In her brief but successful career, Aaliyah charted 15 songs on the pop charts (a few posthumously). Although she had five top-10 hits, including the number one hit “Try Again”, “Are You That Somebody?” has a strong case as the best song from her catalog.  This question song NEVER grows old.