In the world of R&B, some stories feel like destiny. During a recent sit-down on The Kenny Burns Show, Tank took it back to the late 90s to share the exact moment he caught the eye of the late, great Aaliyah.
Long before he was known as the R&B General, Tank was a young powerhouse singing background for Ginuwine, but it did not take long for the Princess of R&B to realize she needed that soul on her stage too.
It all started when Ginuwine decided to hype up the talent. Tank remembers Ginuwine bragging about the squad to Aaliyah, saying, “He went and ran to Aaliyah, bragged to Aaliyah… ‘I got the best background singers ever. You better come hear these niggas, I’m telling you!'” When Aaliyah finally pulled up to the rehearsal space, Tank says the room shifted. “Aaliyah came in that rehearsal, walked in, looking like Aaliyah. And I’m sitting there like, ‘Jesus Christ, that’s Aaliyah!'”
More than just a star, Tank described her as beautiful and angelic, carrying a glow that felt like a full movie. Tank noted that her look was immaculate and nothing was out of place, but it was her humble energy that really caught him off guard.
Instead of keeping it brief, Aaliyah started grilling him. “She said, ‘Oh my God, you’re such an amazing singer. Where are you from? When did you start singing like that? Are you from church?'” Tank recalled. He was stunned that a global icon was firing off a million interview questions at him when he was the one who wanted to ask her everything.
At the time, Tank was only 21 and in what he calls skinny shape, but his voice was enough to seal the deal. Aaliyah hired him and his partner Jonathan Hall right then and there.
From that point on, Tank’s life became a whirlwind of double duty, performing for both Ginuwine and Aaliyah every single night. It’s a legendary reminder of why Aaliyah is still so missed, she knew real talent when she heard it.
