Aaliyah: A Life and A Legacy

R&B is a realm in which sophistication, class, and soul are accentuated. The rare mixture of originality, charisma, and dedication is something that few in any genre of music have yet to master, especially at a very young age. I remember the first time I saw a certain young lady on TV, and I quickly became enthralled by her natural talent, beauty, and personality. Ever since then, Aaliyah has been at the forefront of R&B, recognizable by most anyone that listens to it.

Hailing from Detroit, Michigan, a city well known for spawning all-time greats from legendary record company, Motown Records, Aaliyah started her music career at a very young age. At age 11, she was singing on stage in Las Vegas for a five-night stand with R&B icon, Gladys Knight. From then on, she would emerge from the shadows to become one of the youngest and most sought after personalities in R&B. Aaliyah would also be the focal point of the ever-popular "street-but-sweet" sound. She combined sensuality with hard-hitting baselines and a smooth vocal delivery to create a sound that was strictly hers. At the tender age of 15, the time had come for Aaliyah to showcase her talents, and she would not disappoint the ones who anxiously awaited her arrival.

Aaliyah's debut single "Back & Forth" would mesmerize the music world, and it just a set-up for her debut album. Seemingly coming out of nowhere, she would command the attention of her building legion of fans. Her debut album, "Age Ain't Nothing But A Number," a title very fitting due to her young age and talent well beyond her years, was released in May 1994. Smooth, yet hard-hitting tunes such as "At Your Best (You Are Love)," "Street Thing," the title track "Age Ain't Nothing But A Number," and the remix of "Back & Forth" pushed Aaliyah to the frontline of R&B, making it very obvious that she would be around for quite a long time. Her debut single would be certified Gold, the album would sell over one million copies worldwide, and she would spend of 1994 & 1995 on the road, with tours that would take her to Japan, across much of Europe, and as far as South Africa.

School was also a big priority for Aaliyah, who made sure she graduated with honors from Detroit's Performing Arts High School. She majored in dance, and her teachers kept diligent to make sure she met her goals as a student in hand as she worked to grow as an artist. Amidst her senior year in high school, she would release her sophomore masterpiece, an album that put to rest any doubts of her oncoming growth as a person, and an artist.

"One In A Million" was released to heavy fanfare in August 1996, and contents of the album were astounding. With top-notch production from heavy-hitters Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott, and Timbaland, she belted out tunes with ease. Alive and well was her patented "street-but-sweet" sound, and with tracks such as "If Your Girl Only Knew," "Hot Like Fire," the Platinum single "4 Page Letter," "Heartbroken," and the popular remake "Choosey Lover," Aaliyah was back full circle after a two year layoff. Making plenty of noise upon her return, Aaliyah was sexier than ever, her voice was as beautiful as ever, and she was at the top of her game. Her debut single, "If Your Girl Only Knew," would be certified Gold, and the album would be astronomically successful, selling close to two million copies worldwide, and allowing her to continue where she left off.

Aaliyah would also make good of her other talents as well, most notably in the modeling industry. She would be a spokesperson and model for world-renowned clothing line Tommy Hilfiger, alongside fellow R&B artists Usher and Tyrese. Aaliyah would make the covers of many magazines, and she would be featured in many commercial advertisements for the clothing line. Aaliyah was later cast in her debut film “Romeo Must Die,” alongside martial arts star Jet Li and rap star DMX. She received critical acclaim from box office critics for her role. She showed versatility in every venture she became part of, and anything she touched seemingly turned into gold.

2001 was supposed to be a jet-setting year for Aaliyah. She was in the midst of being cast for her second major motion picture and preparing to release her third album. The sequel to the movie “The Matrix” was starting to swing into production, and Aaliyah received a major role in the film. Her third album, “Aaliyah,” hit stores nationwide in late August. All seemed well, until the unthinkable happened.

On August 25, 2001, Aaliyah was shooting the video to her debut single “Rock The Boat” on location in The Bahamas. After the shoot, her and eight members of her entourage boarded a small Cessna airplane en route back to the U.S. When the plane reached 200 feet, it suddenly nose-dived, killing everyone on board. "The investigation is ongoing," said an officer in the police department at Marsh Harbour, the small town on the Abacos islands where the plane crashed that evening. The twin-engined propeller plane crashed into swampy scrub and burst into flames just 200 feet from the runway at Marsh Harbour airport shortly after taking off for Miami. Aaliyah was just 22 years old at the time of the crash, and her and six members were pronounced dead at the scene. Two other members of the entourage died soon thereafter of massive injuries.

The announcement of Aaliyah’s untimely demise has shocked the music world as well as family and friends. She was a gift to everyone she knew, and her talent will be deeply missed in the eyes of all that came to love her as an artist. In loving memory, radio and television stations have an ongoing tribute; playing her music, videos, and having loved ones pay their respects to her. The life of Aaliyah, although short, was one of many triumphs and memories, and a life that will live on in our hearts forever. We love you, Aaliyah…save us a place for when we get there.

Aaliyah Dana Haughton: 1979-2001