An accompanying video for "One in a Million" was directed by Paul Hunter, and it depicts Aaliyah in various futuristic settings as she mingles with her crush.

The video also featured cameo appearances from Timbaland, Missy Elliott, and singer Ginuwine, who stars as one of her leading men.

[3] According to Blackground Records CEO Jomo Hankerson, many radio station program directors had a problem with what they called "cricket sounds" in the song.

[4] When trying to create a solution so that "One in a Million" could get played on the radio, Atlantic Records suggested that the song be remixed and made more radio-friendly.

[12] Andrew Unterberger from Billboard said it is a "twitchy, booming slow jam that sounded both lush and minimal, expansive and intimate, alien and sexy".

[14] The Boombox stated it, "immediately captures your full attention with its pounding bass, quirky synths and chopped vocal samples".

[15] Melodically, "One in a Million" "cadences are similar to those of a rapper", as "she rides the currents of the undulating groove as if she were piloting a hang glider through them".

"[18] Chris Richards from The Washington Post said, "Aaliyah sings in her steadiest, warmest, coolest voice, gently melting time as she stretches her syllables".

[19] Author Kirsty Fairclough noted that the record has "maximal vocalization" and that towards the end Aaliyah's voice "stops again, with a twangy guitar sound picking up the outro".

[15] Bob Waliszewski from Plugged In (publication) stated a similar sentiment that, she "communicates love and commitment to her man" on the song.

[19] According to Khal from Complex, "One in a Million" "showcased an unstoppable trio, with Aaliyah being a perfect muse for the futuristic vibes that Missy and Timbaland were creating, and truthfully helped change the game.

[22] Georgette Cline from The Boombox praised the song, saying "The instrumental itself dripped with sex appeal and Aaliyah's musical stylings only enhanced the vibe.

[8] In a retrospective review, Billboard, praised Aaliyah's vocals on the track, saying that she "effortlessly dominates the beat through her inexplicably captivating swagger and tone".

[16] Variety writers stated that at the time of its release "there was nothing quite like it on the radio, they would go on to praise the song saying: "Missy's pen game, amalgamated with Timbaland's bird and cricket-laden production and Aaliyah's rap-singing stylings, made for a track that was true to its title".

"[42] After meeting with Aaliyah, Lee got a call asking if he could immediately fly back to Los Angeles to style the "One In A Million" video.

[18] In his biography Aaliyah (2021), author Tim Footman said in the video, "she moves through a series of apocalyptic, Mad max-style sets, her clothing and appearance changing with every frame.

"[45] Footman also noted that "where some performers appear as just another piece of scenery in their videos, Aaliyah was part of the action, a full participant in the world Hunter created for her (even if it didn't make any coherent sense).

[51] Jordan Simon from Idolator felt that the video for "One in a Million" displayed a striking resemblance to various futuristic science fiction films, such as Aliens, The Fifth Element and The Matrix.

"[54] Entertainment Weekly writer Brandon Caldwell said, "When the video for the album's title track hit TV screens, several months after Million's debut, Aaliyah had officially entered a new phase of her career.

The choreography, the outfits, and the swoop bang over her eye would soon become a popular fixture in beauty shops, as she took on a dark and mysterious persona from performance to music video.

"[62] In March, Aaliyah made an appearance at the annual MTV Spring Break event in Panama City, Florida.

[66] Cheo Hodari Coke from the Los Angeles Times praised her performance saying that she had "tight choreography, heartfelt vocals and enough platinum hits to delight the crowd.

"[66] The Daily Bruin gave a more mixed review explaining that, "Aaliyah’s vocals were right on the line with "4 Page Letter" and the rattling "One In A Million," but she might as well have sung from backstage with the uninspiring stage presence she quickly revealed.

[71] According to Billboard, "One in a Million bridged often-juxtaposed worlds: The track is a gentle ballad over a tough beat, melding together rugged and smooth with ease.

[16] BET said, "The title track from Aaliyah's double-platinum sophomore album was more than just a successful step forward from her R. Kelly days.

[72] Journalist Craig Seymour from The Buffalo News, stated that "One In a Million" "changed the sound of pop and R&B radio", and that "it's the reason that polyrhythmic smashes such as Christina Aguilera's "Genie in a Bottle" and Destiny's Child's "Say My Name" exist".

In 1996, at Pyramid Studios in Ithaca, New York, the trio would record Aaliyah's titular track from her sophomore album, One In A Million.

Unlike anything else on radio, "One In A Million" stood out for incorporating London's drum and bass electronic sound with slow-winding R&B synthesizers".