• The Track: “Are You That Somebody?”
• Release Date: May 26, 1998
• Key Specs: #21 Billboard Hot 100 / Grammy Nominated (Best Female R&B Vocal Performance) / Dr. Dolittle Soundtrack

If there is one song that defines the bridge between 90s R&B and the futurism of the 2000s, it’s Aaliyah’s “Are You That Somebody?” Released as the lead single for the Dr. Dolittle soundtrack, this track didn’t just top the charts—it was the moment Aaliyah transitioned from a teenage star to a pop culture princess, proving she was the ultimate muse for the 1990s and early Y2K Timbaland sound.

As such, “Are You That Somebody?” is the next file entry in our library.

RELATED: [THE FILES] 077 | Aaliyah: Journey to the Past (1997)

The History

In 1998, “Are You That Somebody?” was a total departure from the smooth, mid-tempo R&B standard. The track also features staccato guitars and beatboxing, creating a rhythm that felt like it was being beamed in from a year 3000 terminal. True to the Timbaland sound, the track was edgy and experimental, and became the gold standard for R&B tracks that followed.

The Music Video

• The Aesthetic: Set in a futuristic cave with massive holograms of scenes from Dr. Dolittle, the video showed Aaliyah at peak “Standard Issue” cool—think cargo pants, midriffs, and that effortless “swag” that 2026 fashion is still trying to replicate.
• The Choreography: Choreographed by the legendary Fatima Robinson, the video features two of the most iconic dance breaks in history: the hip-hop routine and the Flamenco-inspired “shining” hand movements.

The Chart Success

• The Charts: Initially, the song was ineligible for the Billboard Hot 100 chart because it wasn’t available as a commercial retail single (it was airplay-only).
• The Update: In December 1998, Billboard famously updated its policy to allow airplay-only tracks to chart. Despite the delay, the song climbed to #21 on the Hot 100 and spent eight weeks at #1 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.+1
• The Global Success: Internationally, the track achieved total dominance, hitting #1 in New Zealand and reaching the Top 5 in the Netherlands.

Lyrics

Dirty South (uh-huh)
Can you all really feel me (feel us)?
East coast feel me (feel us)
West coast feel me
Dirty south (say what)
Can you all really feel me (huh)?
East coast feel me (baby girl)
West coast feel me (huh uh)
Dirty south (yeah)
Can you all really feel me (say what)?
East coast feel me (feel us)
West coast feel me (feel us)
Dirty south (dirty dirty)
Can you all really feel me (yeah)?
East coast feel me (baby girl)
West coast feel me (ha)

Boy
I’ve been watching you
Like the hawk in the sky
That flies, but
You were my prey (my prey)
Boy, I promise you
If we keep bumpin’ heads
I know that one of these days (days)
We gon’ hook it up
Probably talk on the phone
But see I don’t know if that’s good
I’ve been holding back
This secret from you
I probably shouldn’t tell it but if I

But if I let you know
You can’t tell nobody
I’m talking ’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?

Boy
Won’t you pick me up at the park right now
Up the block while everyone
Sleep, Sleep, Sleep
I’ll be waiting there
With my trench, my locs, my hat
Just so I’m low-key
If you tell the world
Don’t speak, you know that would be weak
Oh boy
See I’m trusting you
With my heart, my soul
I probably shouldn’t let you, but

If I let this go
You can’t tell nobody
I’m talking ’bout nobody
I hope you’re 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 (uh)
Tell me are you that somebody (uh)?

Baby girl
I’m the man from the big VA
Won’t you come play ’round my way
And listen to what I gotta say
Timbaland (What)
Don’t you know I am the man
Rock shows here to Japan (what)
Have people shaking shaking my hand
Baby girl
Better known as Aaliyah
Give me goosebumps and high fevers
Making playahaters to believers
Don’t you know
Gotta tell somebody ’cause
‘Cause I really need somebody (What?)
Tell me are you that somebody? (Say what!)

If I let this go
You can’t tell nobody
I’m talking ’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?

You can’t tell nobody
I’m talking ’bout nobody
I hope you’re responsible
Boy I gotta watch my back
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?

Is it my go? Is it your go?
Sometimes I’m goody goody
Right now I’m naughty naughty

‘Cause I really need somebody
Tell me are you that somebody

You can’t tell nobody
I’m talking ’bout nobody

Featured Photo: Blackground Records

RELATED: [THE FILES] 075 | Destiny’s Child: Get on the Bus (1998)

RELATED: [THE FILES] 072 | Mýa x Jay-Z: ‘Best of Me Part II’ (2000)

Author Bio

Jael Rucker is the founder of Decked Out Magazine. She has previously worked as the Associate Commerce Editor at PureWow, focusing on analytics and trends to pitch stories and optimize articles that build and engage their audience. Her work has also been seen in Footwear News and WWD. Prior to 2024, she was the style and pop culture editor at ONE37pm for over three years, contributing numerous product reviews, brand profiles and fashion trend reports, which included interviewing Steph Curry, Snoop Dogg and more.