Copyright 1994 Chicago Sun-Times, Inc.

Chicago Sun-Times December 30, 1994, FRIDAY, Late Sports Final Edition HEADLINE: Aaliyah: Success Without a Hitch ; Singer Denies Marriage Rumors BYLINE: By Jim DeRogatis T he word "protege" seems to follow Aaliyah's name in every article that's written about her, but the young R&B diva doesn't mind. "It's always Aaliyah and R. Kelly, R. Kelly and Aaliyah," says the singer, who's appearing Saturday with Keith Sweat at the UIC Pavilion. "I don't mind being called his protege because that's what I am." The Brooklyn-born, Detroit-raised Aaliyah (pronounced ah-lee-yah) is riding high on the success of her debut album, "Age Ain't Nothing But a Number." Her first single, "Back & Forth," was a No. 1 R&B hit, grabbing the top spot from Kelly, the Chicago phenom who's her producer, songwriter and mentor. But Aaliyah, who's listed as 15 on a press release issued with her album, may be more than that, and a report that she married Kelly, 27, in suburban Rosemont in September was one of the year's biggest pop-music scandals. Vibe magazine recently printed a copy of the couple's marriage license, signed and sealed by Cook County Clerk David Orr. It lists Aaliyah Haughton's age as 18. The County Clerk's office has verified the document. (Obtaining a marriage license doesn't mean a couple actually got married. And the minister listed on the license, Nathan Edmond, didn't return a call requesting comment.) Aaliyah refuses to comment on the Vibe article or the marriage license. She insists that she and Kelly aren't married. She refuses to give her age, but says she's still in high school and tours with a tutor. "I saw (the Vibe article), but I don't really comment on that because I know that's not true," Aaliyah says. "When people ask me, I tell them, 'Hey, don't believe all that mess. We're close and people took it the wrong way.' " The official statement from Aaliyah and Kelly's label, Jive Records, is "no comment." But Jive's Chicago branch manager Wayne Williams adds some insight: "I'll tell you this, they ain't married," Williams says. "You don't see no ring on her finger, right? As far as all that other stuff, I'm sure that's just media hype. "Robert (Kelly) has reached a level now where he's going to get a lot of rumors. The more successful he is, the wilder they'll get. I know Robert and Michael Jackson were talking about this (when they recorded together in Chicago). Things get crazy, and they get out of hand after a certain point." Williams acknowledges that Kelly's image could be hurt if he were married and fans found out. "Female fans are all in love with him, and when any guy who's a sex symbol gets married, you're gonna have a lot of disappointment," he says. And a big part of Aaliyah's appeal is that she's "young and youthful and she's connecting with her audience lyrically as well as imagewise," Williams says. That could also be hurt if it turns out that Aaliyah is really 18 and married. "We're really cool friends," is how Aaliyah characterizes her relationship with Kelly. "We've known each other for four years. But it's a friendship, and it will continue to be a friendship." The two met four years ago through Aaliyah's uncle and Kelly's manager, Barry Hankerson. Hankerson is the former husband of Gladys Knight, and Aaliyah's first professional gig was singing backup for Knight.

Like Kelly, Aaliyah started singing as a child, performing in school musicals and at church. She originally wanted to sing like her heroines, Whitney Houston and Barbra Streisand. But as a teen, she discovered hip-hop and the seductive sounds of New Edition. Aaliyah's street-smart debut was recorded with Kelly over the course of a year at the Chicago Recording Complex. Together with his own sophomore effort, "12 Play," it secured Kelly's reputation as the hottest producer in R&B. Traditionally, R&B stars' female proteges have had short-lived careers. Few people seem to remember the Mary Jane Girls (produced by Rick James) or Vanity Six (produced by Prince). But Aaliyah says she's here to stay. "Of course, there's a connection with me and Robert because he did write the whole album," Aaliyah says. "But as far as the second album, he probably will do some songs, but it won't be a whole project. "I do see myself becoming my own artist. If you know your own style and you're sure of yourself, you can definitely overcome the protege thing." GRAPHIC: Hip-hop sensation Aaliyah denies reports that she and mentor R. Kelly are married. "We're close, and people took it the wrong way," she says. LOAD-DATE: December 30, 1994