> She would have
>been the Janet Jackson of her era.


That's the greatest appeal, that an artist like JJ had an heir apparent. Focusing on vocals diminishes Janet also. The catalog of hits cannot be separated from the visual aspect of choreography in both cases. Add enhanced production values to the dance numbers and voila: Aaliyah was getting to the 95 dollar and up ticket price range and only death stopped her. If you look at her catalog in that context, you see the juggernaut that was forming.