Age Ain't Nothing but a Number is the debut studio album by American singer Aaliyah. It was released under Jive and Blackground Records on May 23, 1994, in the United States. After being signed by her uncle Barry Hankerson, Aaliyah was introduced to recording artist and producer R. Kelly. He became her mentor, as well as the lead songwriter and producer of the album. The duo recorded the album at the Chicago Recording Company in Chicago, Illinois. The album featured two hit singles; the top ten-charting "Back & Forth" and "At Your Best (You Are Love)"; both singles were certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). One additional single followed in the US: "Age Ain't Nothing but a Number". Two more singles were released internationally after "Age Ain't Nothing but a Number": "Down with the Clique" and "The Thing I Like". 　　Age Ain't Nothing But a Number received generally favorable reviews from critics. Many noted Aaliyah's vocal ability and praised the lyrical content. Aaliyah was credited for redefining R&B by blending her voice with Kelly's new jack swing. The album peaked at number 18 on the Billboard 200 and sold over three million copies in the United States.The album was certified Gold in Canada by Music Canada and Gold in the United Kingdom by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). To date the album has sold over six million copies worldwide.