Gone (Aaliyah & Tank song)

"Gone"
Single by Aaliyah with Tank
from the album Unstoppable
ReleasedMay 2, 2025 (2025-05-02)
GenreR&B
Length4:02
LabelBlackground 2.0
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Aaliyah singles chronology
"Poison"
(2021) 		"Gone"
(2025)
Tank singles chronology
"Before We Get Started"
(2024) 		"Gone"
(2025)
Official 2D video
"Gone" on YouTube

"Gone" is a song by American singer Aaliyah with singer and previous collaborator Tank. It was released on May 2, 2025, through Blackground Records 2.0, exclusively on the label's BLKStream music app, but saw a worldwide release on streaming and digital download sites on August 1, 2025. "Gone" is expected to be taken from Aaliyah's upcoming posthumous album, Unstoppable. It was written by Static Major, who was responsible for writing many songs for Aaliyah, and Tank. Production was overseen by Sean Garrett and Azul Wynter. "Gone" was not a commercial success, appearing only on American R&B airplay charts.

Background and release

In the late 1990s, Tank worked as a backing singer for Aaliyah.[1][2] In 1999, when Aaliyah was recording songs for her then upcoming third studio album, she asked Tank to provide adlibs on the song "Come Over", which went on to be released as a posthumous single in 2003.[3] Tank also went on to write two songs for Aaliyah: "I Can Be" and "What If". On August 25, 2021, Barry Hankerson revealed in an interview with Big Tigger for WVEE that a posthumous album titled Unstoppable would be released in "a matter of weeks". The album was said to feature Drake, Snoop Dogg, Ne-Yo, Chris Brown, Future and use previously unreleased vocals recorded before Aaliyah's August 2001 death.[4] In January 2024, Blackground Records hinted in an Instagram post that the release was "coming";[5] however as of 2025, no album has been released.

On May 2, 2025, Blackground Records 2.0 released the single "Gone", by Aaliyah, with former collaborator Tank. The single was released exclusively to the record label's streaming app, BLKStream,[6] but saw a wider release to streaming and digital download sites on August 1, 2025.[7][8]

Producer Sean Garrett opined, "Growing up admiring Aaliyah, who is such an icon, has completely been an inspiration for all of us [...] I could not have been more blessed to have made a record with her and Tank. Amazing voices and talent."[9]

Music video

A 2D music video was released on August 1, 2025, along with the announcement of a "3D holographic experience" provided by the Meta Quest app Soapbox[10][11]

Reaction

Like the previous Aaliyah single, "Poison", the release of "Gone" faced strong criticism from fans, who expressed distaste at the poor quality of Aaliyah's vocals, with some questioning the authenticity.[12]

Tank made a statement following the release. He wrote, "[The song] featuring myself was supposed to be something good to preserve and continue the legacy of the amazing Aaliyah… This is not it. I’m out [...] The Aaliyah song you are hearing featuring myself, I did out of love for her. I had concerns and I expressed them. From the track to the vocals to the mix and to the visual [...] I still went forward knowing I would at least be able to approve the final products. I haven’t approved one thing you’ve heard or seen [...] Me thinking people had changed was my mistake and I own it [...] Aaliyah deserves better".[13][14]

Chart performance

"Gone" debuted at number 20 on the Adult R&B Airplay Chart, peaking at number seven, three months later. It debuted at number 43 on the R&B/Hip Hop Airplay chart, peaking at number 28.[15][16]

Charts

Chart performance for "Gone"
Chart (2025) Peak
position
US Adult R&B Airplay (Billboard)[17] 7
US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard)[18] 28

Release history

Release history and formats for "Gone"
Region Date Format Label Ref
Various May 2, 2025 Exclusive to BLKStream app Blackground Records 2.0 & Empire [19]
August 1, 2025 Streaming, digital download [20]

References

  1. ^ Higgins, Keena (May 23, 2022). "Tank Says Validation From Aaliyah Meant Everything To His Career: "Nothing Trumps That"". Black America Web. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
  2. ^ Dorisca, Samantha (May 16, 2023). "Tank Recalls Blowing A $250K Advance From His Record And Publishing Deal — 'That's When It Went Left'". Afrotech. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
  3. ^ "Tank Recalls Providing Background Vocals For Aaliyah On "Come Over"". Hot New Hip Hop. September 26, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
  4. ^ "Barry Hankerson answers every burning question on Aaliyah, the wait to get her music on streaming and more". Radio.com. August 25, 2021. Archived from the original on August 26, 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
  5. ^ "Opinion: Aaliyah's Legacy Deserves More Than a Posthumous Album". BET. Archived from the original on April 25, 2024. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
  6. ^ Velasquez, Angelina (May 2, 2025). "Blackground Records 2.0 releases new Aaliyah and Tank collab "Gone"". Revolt TV. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
  7. ^ Jones, Okla (August 1, 2025). "New Music This Week: Ciara Drops "This Right Here" With Latto & Jazze Pha, Saweetie Releases "Superstars," Aaliyah's "Gone," And More". Essence. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  8. ^ "Aaliyah's 'Gone,' but her legacy lives on in new song". The Beat 951. July 31, 2025. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  9. ^ "Aaliyah's 'Gone,' but her legacy lives on in new song". ABC Audio. July 31, 2025. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  10. ^ "Aaliyah & Tank - Official 2D Video "Gone"". YouTube. August 1, 2025. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  11. ^ Williams, Aaron (August 1, 2025). "Aaliyah And Tank's New Song 'Gone' Is Now Available As A Virtual Concert On Meta Quest". Uproxx. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  12. ^ Velasquez, Angelina (August 1, 2025). "Blackground Records 2.0 releases new Aaliyah and Tank collab "Gone"". Revolt. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  13. ^ "Tank Slams Aaliyah's New Song 'Gone' Featuring His Vocals: She "Deserves Better…I Haven't Approved One Thing [Fans] Heard"". That Grape Juice. August 1, 2025. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  14. ^ ""Gone" featuring myself was supposed to be something good to preserve and continue the legacy of the amazing Aaliyah… This is not it. I'm out". Instagram. August 1, 2025. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  15. ^ McIntyre, Hugh (May 18, 2025). "Aaliyah's Posthumous Single Earns The Singer Her First New Radio Hit In A Decade". Forbes. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  16. ^ McIntyre, Hugh (August 15, 2025). "Aaliyah Charts Her First New Top 10 Hit In More Than 20 Years". Forbes. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  17. ^ "Aaliyah - Adult R&B Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2025.
  18. ^ "Aaliyah - R&B Hip Hop Airplay". Billboard. August 9, 2025. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
  19. ^ Centeno, Tony (May 2, 2025). "LISTEN: Aaliyah & Tank Join Forces On Their New Collaboration 'Gone'". V1017. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  20. ^ "Aaliyah & Tank - Gone". Spotify. August 1, 2025. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
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