Known as the 'Princess of R&B,' legendary singer-songwriter Aaliyah was at the height of her career when she tragically died in a plane crash in the Bahamas on Aug. 25, 2001. The native Brooklyn singer, born on Jan. 16, 1979, rose to fame early on after an appearance on the TV show 'Star Search' at age 10. To honor the icon, take a look through her life and legacy in photographs.
While her life was cut tragically short, Aaliyah had a lasting effect on music thanks to an early start in the industry. Before she was dubbed the “Princess of R&B,” Aaliyah signed with Jive Records at the age of 12 and her uncle Barry Hankerson’s Blackground Records. Hankerson later introduced her to R. Kelly, who would become her mentor and a lead songwriter and producer of her debut album, “Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number,” which she recorded when she was just 14.
With the release of her debut album “Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number,” rumors started circulating of a relationship between R. Kelly, 27, and Aaliyah, who at the time was just 14 years old. Vibe magazine later revealed a wedding certificate which showed the couple were married on Aug. 31, 1994. Aaliyah was listed as 18 on the certificate when she was really 15 at the time of marriage. The illegal marriage was later annulled in February 1995 by her parents. After the allegations were made public, Aaliyah distanced herself from R. Kelly and ended her contract with Jive before signing a new deal with Atlantic Records.
After the success of her first album, Aaliyah collaborated with record producers Timbaland and Missy Elliott, who contributed to her second album “One in a Million.” The album, which generated singles “If Your Girl Only Knew” and “Hot Like Fire,” went double platinum and sold eight million copies worldwide.
As her music career took off, Aaliyah also attended the Detroit High School for the Fine and Performing Arts, where she graduated in drama in 1997 with a 4.0 GPA. She began her acting career that same year, starring in the police drama “New York Undercover.” Juggling her career and school, Aaliyah is pictured performing at The Forum on April 10, 1997.
At the 1998 Academy Awards, Aaliyah performed her Oscar-nominated song “Journey to the Past,” making her the youngest singer to perform at the Oscars. She was 19.
Aaliyah landed her first film role in the 2000 movie “Romeo Must Die” opposite martial artist Jet Li. The pair played a couple who fell in love amid their warring families. While the film didn’t win over critics, the soundtrack, which was produced by Aaliyah, topped the Billboard Hot 100, including “Try Again,” which saw her win the “Best Female Video” and “Best Video from a Film” awards at the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards. It also earned her Grammy nomination for Best Female R&B Vocalist.
Missy Elliott, who was at the start of her career as a producer when she collaborated with Aaliyah, revealed she and producer Timbaland were nervous about working with the singer, an already established star in the industry. “When me and Tim first went to work with her, we were so nervous,” Elliott revealed to MTV. “She was a very sweet spirit! Never seen her angry as long as I’ve known her, and in this business, that’s unheard of!” she said.
Back when Justin Timberlake had cornrows and frosted tips were in, Aaliyah was pictured with the members of ‘NSync backstage at the MTV Movie Awards.
Aaliyah and actress Halle Berry were pictured together backstage at the 2000 MTV Movie Awards.
Aaliyah attends the 4th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival and preview of Kimora Lee Simmons’ new lingerie line “Baby Phat” at Sony Atrium on Aug. 4, 2000, in New York City.
Just months before her tragic death, Aaliyah is pictured wearing her trademark sunglasses and crop top at the 2000 Teen Choice Awards. The singer’s unique sense of style led to her becoming the face of Tommy Hilfiger and a fashion icon.
At MTV’s 20th Anniversary party, Aaliyah posed alongside Carmen Electra on Aug. 1, 2001.
After completing her first film, Aaliyah starred in “Queen of the Damned,” where she played the role of an ancient vampire named “Queen Akasha.” Due to filming commitments, the release of Aaliyah’s self-titled album “Aaliyah” was delayed until 2001, released five years after her last album “One in a Million.”
While they never collaborated professionally, Aaliyah and P. Diddy became good friends during her short-lived life. The rapper was among the attendees at her funeral. Here, the pair are pictured presenting at the 2001 MTV Movie Awards just months before her death on June 2, 2001.
During an appearance on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” Aaliyah let her bubbly personality shine through before taking to the stage on April 26, 2000.
Little did anyone know, Aaliyah’s performance on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” would be her last before her untimely death. She performed her hit songs “More Than A Woman” and “Try Again.”
The tragic and sudden death of Aaliyah on Aug. 25, 2001, shocked the world and left a huge hole in the industry. The 22-year-old singer and members of the record company boarded a plane after wrapping up filming for her music “Rock the Boat,” before the plane crashed shortly after takeoff, killing everyone on board. According to findings from an inquest, the plane was carrying one excess passenger, causing the plane to nose dive upon takeoff. An autopsy on the pilot Luis Morales III also revealed traces of cocaine and alcohol in his system and he was reportedly not approved to fly.
Aaliyah’s silver-plated coffin is pictured being carried out of the St. Ignatius Loyola Church in Manhattan as her grieving mother follows on Aug. 31, 2001.
Aaliyah’s mother, Diane Haughton cries as she watches 22 doves fly away after being released in front of the St. Ignatius Loyola Church following funeral services held for the singer on Aug. 31, 2001, in New York City. Each dove symbolized every year of Aaliyah’s life.
Friend and producer Missy Elliott looks solemn as she leaves Aaliyah’s funeral attended by more than 800 mourners at the St. Ignatius Loyola Church in Manhattan on Aug. 31, 2001.
Jay-Z leaves Aaliyah’s funeral at St. Ignatius Loyola Church in Manhattan on Aug. 31, 2001. Missy Elliott, Timbaland, Gladys Knight, Lil’ Kim and P. Diddy were also among the attendees at the private ceremony.
P. Diddy is pictured leaving the St. Ignatius Loyola Church in Manhattan after Aaliyah’s funeral before the release of 22 white doves, each symbolizing each year of Aaliyah’s life, on Aug. 31, 2001.
At the time of Aaliyah’s death, she was in a long-term relationship with Roc-a-Fella co-founder Damon Dash. “She was the best person I ever knew. […] I never met a person like her in my life,” he later told to MTV.
After the death of Aaliyah, Beyonce fondly recalled how the singer was the first person to “embrace Destiny’s Child.” Meeting for the first time in 1998, Beyonce revealed how she and her fellow band members were nervous about meeting her since she had already established herself in the industry, but their nerves were later extinguished after their warm meeting.
During happier times, Aaliyah is pictured with her boyfriend, Roc-a-Fella co-founder Damon Dash. While they were not formally engaged, the couple had discussed marriage before her untimely death.
