Get to Know Whitney Houston

In the aftermath of the World Trade Center disaster of September 11, 2001, Whitney's soaring rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" (from Greatest Hits) was the first benefit single to be issued, coupled with her version of "America the Beautiful." The Whitney Houston Foundation for Children, Inc. and Arista Records agreed to donate royalties and net proceeds from all single sales to the New York Firefighters 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund and the New York fraternal Order of Police. Both groups as well as the families of those affected by the tragic event were to benefit from the sales.

The following year saw the release of Just Whitney (December 2002), her fifth studio album and first for the new millennium. An A-list of handpicked hitmakers and producers contributed to the album, among them Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Missy Elliott, Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs, Teddy Bishop and Gordon Chambers. The diverse program of ballads included "Try It on My Own," (written by Babyface and Carole Bayer Sager); "My Love" (a duet with Bobby Brown); and a powerful remake of Debbie Boone's 1977 "You Light Up My Life." Also among the album's gems were such hip grooves as "Love That Man" and the old-school style jam "Things You Say" (written and produced by Missy Elliott).