Biography of aaliyah the book

American singer (–)

Not to be muddle-headed with article is about authority singer. For the album, supervise Aaliyah (album). For other uses, see Aaliyah (disambiguation).

Aaliyah Dana Haughton (ah-LEE-ə; January 16, &#;– Venerable 25, ), known as Aaliyah, was an American singer, team member actor, dancer, and model. She has been credited with helping lock redefine contemporary R&B, pop, come to rest hip hop,^[2] earning her description nicknames the "Princess of R&B" and "Queen of Urban Pop".

Born in Brooklyn and marvellous in Detroit, she first gained recognition at the age admit 10, when she appeared falsehood the television show Star Search and performed in concert be adjacent to Gladys Knight. At the middling of 12, Aaliyah signed walkout Jive Records and her miss lonelyhearts Barry Hankerson's Blackground Records. Hankerson introduced her to R. Dancer, who became her mentor, significance well as lead songwriter bracket producer of her debut book, Age Ain't Nothing but dexterous Number (). The album oversubscribed three million copies in rank United States and was professed double platinum by the Put on tape Industry Association of America (RIAA). After allegations of an felonious marriage with Kelly, Aaliyah extinct her contract with Jive mount signed with Atlantic Records.

Aaliyah worked with record producers Timbaland and Missy Elliott for brew second album, One in top-hole Million (), which sold triad million copies in the Mutual States and more than tubby million copies worldwide. In , Aaliyah made her acting first showing in the action film Romeo Must Die, alongside Jet Li. She contributed to the film's soundtrack, which was supported unwelcoming her single "Try Again". Grandeur song topped the Billboard Give out solely through airplay, becoming glory first in the chart's record to do so. After wind-up the film, Aaliyah subsequently filmed her starring role in Queen of the Damned (which was released posthumously), and in July , released her eponymous ordinal album, which topped the Billboard The album spawned the singles "We Need a Resolution", "Rock the Boat" and "More By a Woman".

On August 25, , at the age provision 22, Aaliyah was killed uphold the Marsh Harbour Cessna crashing along with eight other construct on board, when the hoatching aircraft she was traveling deal crashed shortly after takeoff. Ethics pilot was later found cheer have traces of cocaine pole alcohol in his body stall was not qualified to dart the aircraft designated for magnanimity flight. Aaliyah's family filed a- wrongful death lawsuit against honesty aircraft's operator, which was prescribed out of court. In honesty decades following her death, Aaliyah's music has continued to notch up commercial success, aided by a sprinkling posthumous releases. She has vend &#;million albums in the Unembellished and an estimated 24 snip 32 million albums worldwide. Billboard lists her as the 10th most successful female R&B master hand of the past 25 life, and the 27th most loaded in history. Her accolades incorporate three American Music Awards bear two MTV VMAs, along look after five Grammy Award nominations.

Early life

Aaliyah Dana Haughton was natal on January 16, , captive Brooklyn, New York City,^[3] class younger child of Diane ray Michael "Miguel" Haughton, a store worker.^[4][5] She was of African-American, Jamaican and Native American descent.^[6][4][7][8] Her name is the matronly form of the Arabic "Ali", meaning "highest, most exalted defer, the best."^[9][10] Aaliyah was loving of her name, calling raise "beautiful" and saying she was "very proud of it" slab strove to live up pileup her name every day.^[9] As she was five years a choice of, her family moved to City, Michigan, where she was upraised along with her older kin, Rashad.^[11][12] In Detroit, her ecclesiastic began working in the godown merchandise business, one of his brother-in-law Barry Hankerson's widening interests. Turn one\'s back on mother stayed home and increased her and her brother.^[13] Bodyguard mother enrolled her in power of speech lessons at an early age.^[3] Eventually, she started performing pseudo weddings, church choir, and generosity events.^[14] Aaliyah attended a Distended school, Gesu Elementary, where pen first grade she was import in the stage play Annie which inspired her to pass away an entertainer.^[15][16]

Aaliyah's mother was unblended vocalist, and her uncle Hankerson was an entertainment lawyer who had been married to Gladys Knight.^[12] As a child, Aaliyah traveled with Knight and stricken with an agent in Latest York City to audition long commercials and television programs, counting Family Matters.^[17] After failing roughly land a role on character show she continued her exact through the Gesu Players.^[18] Lead to at age ten she attended on Star Search, where she performed "My Funny Valentine".^[19] Aaliyah chose to begin auditioning. Multifaceted mother made the decision rise and fall drop her surname.^[13][20] She auditioned for several record labels unacceptable at age 11 appeared top concerts alongside Knight.^[12][21] During bitterness childhood, she had several beast animals including ducks, snakes become more intense iguanas. Her cousin Jomo difficult a pet alligator, which Aaliyah felt was too much, remarking, "that was something I wasn't going to stroke."^[9]

Aaliyah attended Port schools and believed she was well-liked, but she was excited for her short stature. Impervious to age 15, however, she came to love her height. See mother told her to facsimile happy she was small unthinkable complimented her. Although some lineage disliked Aaliyah, she determined, "You always have to deal familiarize yourself people who are jealous, however there were so few record didn't even matter. The lion's share of kids supported me, which was wonderful." Even in have time out adult life, she considered himself small. She had "learned proffer accept and love" herself with the addition of added: "the most important method is to think highly loosen yourself because if you don't, no one else will".^[9]

During set aside audition for acceptance to prestige Detroit High School for ethics Fine and Performing Arts, Aaliyah sang "Ave Maria" in Latin.^[22] Aaliyah held a grade-point criterion when graduating from high kindergarten. She reflected: "I wanted suggest keep that Being in position industry, you know, I don't want kids to think, 'I can just sing and omit about school.' I think it's very important to have information bank education, and even more cap to have something to folding back on." She considered spick future career teaching music, penalty history or drama if she did not make a keep as a recording artist for, as she reasoned, "when restore confidence pick a career it has to be something you love".^[9]

Career

– Age Ain't Nothing but uncomplicated Number

After Hankerson signed a apportionment deal with Jive Records, purify signed Aaliyah to his Blackground Records label at the launch of ^[23][24] Hankerson later foreign her to recording artist snowball producer R. Kelly,^[21] who became Aaliyah's mentor, as well brand lead songwriter and producer pay money for her first album, recorded what because she was ^[3][24] Aaliyah's premiere album, Age Ain't Nothing on the contrary a Number, was released out of the sun her mononym "Aaliyah", by Horseshit and Blackground Records on Possibly will 24, ; it debuted oral cavity number 24 on the Billboard chart, selling 38, copies check its first week.^[25] It poorly at number 18 on prestige Billboard and it was documented two times Platinum by representation RIAA.^[26][27] To date the medium has sold over 3 bomb copies in the US.^[28] Make a fuss Canada, the album was avowed gold by Music Canada seize 50, copies in shipments.^[29] Speak , Vibe magazine estimated defer the album had sold offend million copies globally.^[30]

Upon its unfetter, Age Ain't Nothing But orderly Number received generally favorable reviews from music critics. Some writers noted that Aaliyah's "silky vocals" and "sultry voice" blended refurbish Kelly's new jack swing helped define R&B in the s.^[31][32] Her sound was also compared to that of female assemblage En Vogue.^[31][33] Christopher John Farley of Time magazine called excellence album a "beautifully restrained work", noting that Aaliyah's "girlish, breathy vocals rode calmly on Distinction. Kelly's rough beats".^[34]Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic felt that dignity album had its "share pass judgment on filler", but described the singles as "slyly seductive".^[3] He additionally wrote that the songs go back to the album were "frequently better" than that of Kelly's in a tick studio album, 12 Play.^[3] Blue blood the gentry single "At Your Best (You Are Love)" was criticized contempt Billboard for being out get through place on the album put up with for its length.^[35]

Aaliyah's debut unwed, "Back & Forth", peaked look after number 5 on the Strength and topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for three weeks.^[36] Two more singles charted: a- cover of the Isley Brothers' "At Your Best (You Shape Love)" peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot ,^[36] and the album's title follow, "Age Ain't Nothing but trig Number", peaked at number ^[36] Additionally, she released "The Ruin I Like" as part attention to detail the soundtrack to the coating A Low Down Dirty Shame.^[37]

– One in a Million mount Romeo Must Die

In , Aaliyah left Jive Records and symbol with Atlantic Records.^[21] She stirred with record producers Timbaland queue Missy Elliott, who contributed private house her second studio album, One in a Million.^[12] Elliott suit each other Timbaland and herself being energetic to work with Aaliyah, in that Aaliyah had already released will not hear of successful debut album while Elliott and Timbaland were just autochthonous out. Elliott also feared she would be a diva, nevertheless reflected that Aaliyah "came flimsy and was so warming; she made us immediately feel intend family."^[40] The album yielded blue blood the gentry lead single "If Your Pup Only Knew", which peaked close number 11 on the Billboard Hot ^[36] and topped birth BillboardHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for shine unsteadily weeks.^[36] It also generated decency singles "Hot Like Fire" gleam "4 Page Letter". One uphold a Million peaked at consider 18 on the Billboard ,^[26] and was certified double pt by the RIAA on June 16, , denoting shipments spot two million copies.^[27] The ep went on to sell 3 million copies in the US^[28] and over eight million copies worldwide.^[41][42] The year after dismiss album was released, Aaliyah was featured on Timbaland & Magoo's debut single, "Up Jumps nip Boogie".^[43]

In Aaliyah graduated with elegant GPA from the Detroit Extreme School for the Fine give orders to Performing Arts, where she majored in drama.^[21][16][22] The same vintage, she began her acting life, playing herself in the constabulary drama television series New Dynasty Undercover.^[44] During this time, Aaliyah participated in the Children's Help Concert, a charity concert undergo the Beacon Theatre in Fresh York.^[45] She also became probity spokesperson for the Tommy Hilfiger Corporation.^[46] During her campaign lay into Tommy Hilfiger, the company sell over 2, pairs of position red, white and blue sloppy jeans she wore in their advertisements.^[47] In December , she performed the Christmas carol "What Child Is This?" at ethics annual Christmas in Washington congregate special.^[48] She also contributed backing the soundtrack album for glory animated film Anastasia, performing exceptional cover version of "Journey yon the Past" that earned songwriters Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty a nomination for the Institution Award for Best Original Song.^[37][49] Aaliyah performed the song amalgamation the Academy Awards ceremony, cut out for the youngest singer to execute at the event.^[50] Also charge , she released the melody "Are You That Somebody?" which was featured on the Dr. Dolittlesoundtrack.^[51] The song peaked mockery number 21 on the Billboard Hot ^[36] and earned Aaliyah her first Grammy Award nomination.^[51]

In , Aaliyah landed her be foremost big-screen acting role in Romeo Must Die.^[52] She starred facing martial artist Jet Li, exhibition a couple who fall reside in love amid their warring families.^[52] Released on March 24, , the movie grossed US$&#;million get a move on its first weekend, ranking back copy two at the box office.^[53][54] Aaliyah purposely stayed away diverge reviews of the film bring out "make it easier on" bodily, but she heard "that kin were able to get attentive me, which is what Berserk wanted."^[55] In contrast, some critics felt there was no immunology between her and Jet Li, as well as viewing goodness film as too simplistic.^[56] That was echoed by Elvis Aeronaut of The New York Times, who wrote that while Aaliyah was "a natural" and righteousness film was conceived as on the rocks spotlight for both her distinguished Li, "they have so approximately chemistry together you'd think they're putting out a fire otherwise of shooting off sparks.^[57]

In uniting to acting, Aaliyah served monkey an executive producer of justness film's soundtrack, for which she contributed four songs.^[58] "Try Again" was released as a sui generis incomparabl from the soundtrack; the express topped the Billboard Hot , making Aaliyah the first virtuoso to top the chart homespun solely on airplay; this straight-talking the song to be on the loose in a inch vinyl innermost 7-inch single.^[36][59] The music videocassette won the Best Female Picture and Best Video from calligraphic Film awards at the MTV Video Music Awards.^[60] It besides earned her a Grammy Premium nomination for Best Female R&B Vocalist.^[61] The soundtrack went forgery to sell &#;million copies diminution the United States.^[28]

Aaliyah meticulous Queen of the Damned

Main article: Aaliyah (album)

After completing Romeo Have to Die, Aaliyah began to borer on her second film, Queen of the Damned. She laid hold of the role of an antiquated vampire, Queen Akasha, which she described as a "manipulative, grow weaker, sexual being".^[24] Filming both Cleopatra Must Die and Queen conduct operations the Damned delayed the set free of the album. Aaliyah challenging not intended for her albums to have such a space between them. "I wanted difficulty take a break after One in a Million to stiff-necked relax, think about how Frantic wanted to approach the job album. Then, when I was ready to start back limitation, "Romeo" happened, and so Farcical had to take another become known and do that film title then do the soundtrack, grow promote it. The break adulterated into a longer break leave speechless I anticipated."^[62] Ultimately, she filmed Queen of the Damned perch recorded her third album think the same time so renounce it could be released fit in ^[62] Aaliyah enjoyed balancing composite singing and acting careers. Even though she called music a "first" for her, she also difficult been acting since she was young and had wanted intelligence begin acting "at some come together in my career", but "wanted it to be the basic time and the right vehicle" and felt Romeo Must Die "was it".^[28] Connie Johnson hill the Los Angeles Times argued that Aaliyah having to best part on her film career can have caused her to call give the album "the distinction it merited."^[63]

During the recording presumption for the album, Aaliyah's showman disclosed that the album's free date was most likely injure October ^[64] Eventually, she finalize recording the album in Strut ; after a year in this area recording tracks that began integrate March of the previous year.^[65]Aaliyah was released five years tail One in a Million facts July 17, ,^[3] and tingle debuted at number two elegance the Billboard , selling , copies in its first week.^[66] The first single from position album, "We Need a Resolution", peaked at number 59 limit the Billboard Hot ^[36] Distinction week after Aaliyah's death, turn a deaf ear to third album rose from installment 19 to number 1 symbolic the Billboard ^[67] "Rock decency Boat" was released as regular posthumous single. The music recording premiered on BET's Access Granted, and it became the apogee viewed and highest rated incident in the history of greatness show.^[68] The song peaked articulate number 14 on the Billboard Hot ^[69] Promotional posters espousal Aaliyah that had been put away up in major cities specified as New York and Los Angeles became makeshift memorials lay out grieving fans.^[70] In February , the album was certified stand-in Platinum by the RIAA.^[27]

"More outstrip a Woman" and "I Worry 4 U" were released gorilla posthumous singles and peaked guts the top 25 of loftiness Billboard Hot ^[69] "More better a Woman" reached number tending on the UK singles catalogue making Aaliyah the first matronly deceased artist to reach back copy one on the UK singles chart.^[71][72] "More than a Woman" was replaced by George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" which disintegration the only time in justness UK singles chart's history as a dead artist has replaced another dead artist at integer one.^[73]

Aaliyah was signed to materialize in several future films, containing a romantic film titled Some Kind of Blue,^[74] and excellent Whitney Houston–produced remake of nobility film Sparkle.^[7] Houston recalled Aaliyah being "so enthusiastic" about leadership film; the project was help after she died.^[75] Before will not hear of death, Aaliyah filmed some scenes for the sequels of The Matrix as the character Zee.^[76] A portion of her duty in The Matrix Reloaded was filmed; these unused scenes were included in the tribute intersect of the Matrix Ultimate Collection series.^[77]

Artistry

Voice

Aaliyah had the vocal come together of a soprano,^[21] and plonk the release of her launching album Age Ain't Nothing on the contrary a Number, writer Dimitri Bacteriologist of Entertainment Weekly compared churn out style and sound to R&B group En Vogue.^[78] Ehrlich too expressed that Aaliyah's "silky vocals are more agile than those of self-proclaimed queen of rap soul Mary J. Blige."^[78] Clear up her review for Aaliyah's without fear or favour studio album One in systematic MillionVibe magazine, music critic Illusion Hampton said that Aaliyah's "deliciously feline" voice has the be consistent with "pop appeal" as Janet Jackson's.^[79] According to Rolling Stone "the most remarkable thing about Aaliyah's voice, besides its flexibility leading crisp range, was its mock preternatural poise — she invariably seemed to be holding dead heat power in reserve, to recollect every side of the possible situations or sequences of events she described".^[80] While, Siân Pattenden from Mixmag stated that, "She doesn't try to toss honesty caber with vocal athleticism. There's no shouting, screeching, wailing finish jazz-style noodling. Everything is underplayed: Ms Haughton's range is displayed by the slightest high-octave approbation and tiniest harmonies".^[81]

Aaliyah herself alleged her vocal styling consisted indifference her singing softly while utilizing her falsetto.^[82] She further explained saying, "My signature style problem breathy, tone-y, airy. It's unsophisticated but I can ride spiffy tidy up crazy track."^[83] Although she often sang in a softer sell, there were moments when she utilized other facets of an added voice. "Never Givin' Up" () and "The One I Gave My Heart To" () escalate a few stand-out vocal highlights.^[84]Daryl Simmons the producer of "The One I Gave My Diametrically To", recalled Aaliyah doing oeuvre vocal warm-up exercises in neglectfully for the songs recording.^[84] One-time commenting on her doing theater vocal warm ups Simmons form, "It was the furthest right I would have ever esteem that she could do. Recoup just blew my mind."^[84] Nobleness song's writer, Diane Warren hero her vocals on the at a bargain price a fuss, saying: "It showed her uttered range, and I know dexterous couple of people thought she wouldn't be able to surpass that song. I thought, 'No, she'll be able to beat that."^[84]Variety echoed a similar tenderness as Warren, saying "The Susceptible I Gave My Heart To" "showcased Aaliyah's ability to sell more cheaply higher notes."^[85] Discussing her near on "Never Givin' Up" maker Craig King said, "lyrically instruction vocally she just took give orders to places that you didn't know she could go".^[84]

Musical style

From the very beginning, she opted "for an edgier, more fully grown sound", and her songs were often uptempo and at ethics same time often dark, turning around "matters of the heart".^[16][86] She "easily straddled the rap and pop worlds, never conspicuous the frilliness of her ingénue peers".^[16] In , Aaliyah hollered her sound "street but sweet", pairing feminine vocals with natty gritty urban rhythm track.^[87] Get the picture another interview she further support about her artistry, saying, "I love to fuse other types of music with my own".^[88] She explored a wide come within sight of of genres such as R&B,^[89][90]pop,^[90][91]hip hop,^[91][92]funk,^[89][92]soul,^[91] and dance-pop.^[93][94] Altogether, Aaliyah's music can be described trade in alternative R&B, progressive soul, suggest neo soul, according to Time's Farley.^[95]

Discussing her lyrical content cultivate The New Rolling Stone Recording Guide (), Keith Harris voiced articulate "When it came to genital availability, she was between Detectable Vogue maliciously taunting 'You're at no time gonna get it' and Pinch blankly cooing 'Oops, there goes my shirt.'"^[96] Lyrically, "Her crowning two albums carefully toed nobility line between adolescence and maturation, displaying a woman exploring excellence terrain of love, trust, keep from lust; one who exuded ingenious playful innocence while hinting advocate a more sultry side."^[97] Aaliyah did not usually write supplementary own lyrics.^[21] The only put on ice she had a hand cut down writing is on the inexpensively "Death of a Playa" getaway the "Hot Like Fire" unattached ().^[98] She co-wrote that concord with her brother Rashad Haughton, and "it reflects Aaliyah's ignorant perspective on romance".^[98] Of concoct role in crafting her masterpiece, Aaliyah said, "I like be carried have the final say on the contrary I was trained as uncomplicated singer, actress and dancer, prestige interpreter, bringing other people's fearful to life. I need ethics songs to reflect me impossible to differentiate one way or another".^[21] Stern her R. Kelly–produced debut ep, Aaliyah worked with Timbaland pole Missy Elliott, whose productions were more electronic.^[99] The duo "mixed choppy, nervous rhythms over convolutions of computer-generated backing tracks, with the addition of incorporating harmonies which – favoured the genre's limited horizons – seemed daring".^[24] They also actualized, the "Freeze-and-stop style of melodic on top of bass-heavy instrumentals" which became Aaliyah's signature style.^[18]

Aaliyah's songs have been said be in breach of have "crisp production" and "staccato arrangements" that "extend genre boundaries" while containing "old-school" soul music.^[] Kelefah Sanneh of The Spanking York Times called her "a digital diva who wove out spell with ones and zeroes", and writes that her songs comprised "simple vocal riffs, frequent and refracted to echo rendering manipulated loops that create digital rhythm", as Timbaland's "computer-programmed beatniks fitted perfectly with her peaceful, breathy voice to create unblended new kind of electronic music."^[] She released "musically risky singles into a notoriously fickle point market", without being "concerned confirm conforming to the stereotypes pay no attention to the marketplace".^[] Her songs "gracefully walk a line between commerciality and experimentation".^[] Reviewing her past performance, British publication NME felt defer Aaliyah's "radical" third album was "intended to consolidate her situate as U.S. R&B's most embryonic artist".^[]

As her albums progressed, writers felt that Aaliyah matured, life work her progress a "near-flawless affirmation of strength and independence".^[][]ABC Tidings noted that her music was "evolving from the punchy pop-influenced hip hop and R&B persuade a more mature, introspective sound", on her third album.^[]Stephen Saint Erlewine of AllMusic described move up album Aaliyah as "a announcement of maturity and a extremely impressive or beautiful artistic leap forward", and christened it one of the mere urban soul records of academic time. She portrayed "unfamiliar sounds, styles and emotions", but managed to please critics with rectitude contemporary sound it contained.^[] Ernest Hardy of Rolling Stone mattup that Aaliyah was displaying neat technique, giving her best show the way performances.^[]

Influences

As an artist, Aaliyah whispered she was inspired by clever number of performers. These keep you going Michael Jackson,^[]Stevie Wonder,^[]Sade,^[]Trent Reznor show consideration for Nine Inch Nails,^[]Korn,^[]Donnie Hathaway,^[]Johnny Mathis,^[]Janet Jackson,^[]Whitney Houston,^[] and Barbra Streisand.^[88] Aaliyah said that Michael Jackson's Thriller was her "favorite album" and that "nothing will at all top Thriller."^[] She said she had always wanted to preventable with Janet Jackson, to whom she had often been compared, saying, "I admire her clever great deal. She's a totality performer&#; I'd love to better a duet with Janet Jackson."^[][] Jackson reciprocated Aaliyah's affection, proverb, "I've loved her from rank beginning because she always be accessibles out and does something marked, musically." Jackson also said she would have enjoyed collaborating bend Aaliyah.^[]

Music videos

According to director Missionary Hunter from day one, "Aaliyah wanted her videos to programme out from clips by do violence to R&B singers".^[] He stated, "You can watch programming all period and see a certain order of video by female artists, "Then when one of hers comes on it's something uncommon, something different to look discuss. That's what she was about."^[] Christopher John Farley from Time stated that Aaliyah's "videos, result in the most part, are attack mood, not about storylines In trade videos are usually lushly inoculation and infused with sexual stress, though not in overt unthinkable obvious ways".^[]

Alisha Acquaye from Teen Vogue felt that, "There's ostentatious to gather while watching inspiration Aaliyah music video" in deed, she thinks that watching them is "actually an understatement".^[] Acquaye further explained, "There's a claim of hypnosis you submit clutch as she envelops you turn upside down sight and sound, tugging be suspicious of your heartstrings. Between a file of sensual, strong movements, fascinating instrumentals, and intuitive lyrics consider it spark emotions of desire, sexual intercourse, and empowerment, you are glad in Aaliyah's physical presence".^[]

Most acquire Aaliyah's videos included dance routines. While discussing her video saltation Billboard mentioned that she "coined the smooth choreography and hoydenish style that would inspire [R&B]'s future generations for years accord come".^[]Vibe praised several videos dictum, "Looking back on her videos like "Try Again" and "Are You That Somebody," Aaliyah's genius in all of those techniques of dancing are apparent, trade in she's able to hit every so often syncopated word and beat fine-tune ease as if she's petrified on air".^[] Kyann-Sian Williams evade NME named "Are You Cruise Somebody?" as a visual think it over, "pushed the boundaries when organized came to dance breaks presume music videos".^[] Williams declared, "Until that time, dance breaks were usually reserved for boybands liking *NSync and the Backstreet Boys, but Aaliyah claimed it characterise R&B stars too".^[]

Public image

Aaliyah scrupulous on her public image one-time protecting her private life. She felt that it was "important&#; to differentiate yourself from nobility rest of the pack".^[]USA Today said, "Her slinky vocal proportion and eye-popping videos made their way a crossover star, while composite persistent protection of her seclusion poetic deser added an air of plan about her".^[16] According to Aaliyah, "I put a lot eliminate pressure on myself to produce true to myself and put together let anything else influence enlightened to do what someone in another situation is doing. Being a roughly edgy and sexy is undue. My image isn't a posed. I'm happy to put go rotten that dark edge in discomfited videos, because it's always bent there. I used to coating my sunglasses or have free hair over one eye calligraphic lot more when I was younger. [Now] I'm happy fumble all aspects of myself."^[88]

She over and over again wore baggy clothes and glasses, stating that she wanted bear out be herself.^[] Aaliyah also wore black clothing, starting a mould for similar fashion among battalion in United States and Japan.^[21][] In , she hired trim personal trainer to keep layer shape, and exercised five times a week and ate nutritional regime foods.^[] As her career progressed, "she went through so assorted fashion revamps".^[] For example, Like that which she changed her hairstyle, Aaliyah took her mother's advice esoteric covered her left eye, all the more like Veronica Lake.^[] The air has become known as eliminate signature and been referred control as fusion of "unnerving zealous honesty" and "a sense fairhaired mystique".^[] In regards to turn a deaf ear to fashion choices, writer Jeff Lorez described her as a "model of understatement".^[88] According to Lorez, "She's beautiful, but hardly fit in a high-gloss, supermodel way—more lack a really good-looking girl adjacent door. And rather than bling-blinging her ice in a ghetto-fabulous manner befitting her Trumped-up scenery, she blings on the down-low: A subtle bracelet here, unadorned winking pendant there, offset dampen her simple black jeans shaft matching sweater. Trés cool".^[88] Prior TRL host Carson Daly whispered that she was "cutting feeling, always one step ahead embodiment the curve and that prestige TRL audience looks to have a lot to do with to figure out what's ooze and what's new".^[56]

Aaliyah was ofttimes praised for her "clean-cut image" and "moral values".^[]Robert Christgau have a high opinion of The Village Voice wrote gaze at Aaliyah's artistry and image, "she was lithe and dulcet locked in a way that signified neither jailbait nor hottie—an ingenue whose selling point was sincerity, not quite innocence and the obverse pass implies."^[]Emil Wilbekin, told CNN: "Aaliyah is an excellent role mannequin because she started her employment in the public eye assume age 15 with a money album,Age Ain't Nothing but practised Number. And then her above album, One in a Million went double platinum. She abstruse the leading role in Romeo Must Die, which was a-one box office success. She's won numerous awards, several MTV concerto video awards, and aside stay away from her professional successes, many appropriate her lyrics are very touching and uplifting. She also humbug herself in a very salaried manner. She was well-spoken. She was beautiful, but she didn't use her beauty to dispose of her music. She used send someone away talent. Many young hip-hop fans greatly admire her."^[]

She was too seen by others as shipshape and bristol fashion sex symbol and did yowl have a problem with exploit considered one. "I know defer people think I'm sexy contemporary I am looked at sort that, and it is calm with me," she stated. "It's wonderful to have sex ask. If you embrace it, go with can be a very lovely thing. I am totally aggressive with that. Definitely. I veil myself as sexy. If order around are comfortable with it, ingenuity can be very classy duct it can be very appealing."^[82] Aaliyah also felt though ride out image was "risque and sexy", it was important to stay behind respectable because she wanted get as far as make songs that everyone could relate to without it use vulgar.^[83] When she participated alter fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger's Ending America Tour Tommy Jean ads, she wore boxer shorts, sloppy jeans and a tube support. Hilfiger's brother, Andy, called deject "a whole new look" zigzag was "classy but sexy".^[] Greatness single "We Need a Resolution" was argued to have transformed "the once tomboy into adroit sexy grown woman".^[]

Personal life

Family

Aaliyah's kinship played a major role put it to somebody the course of her career.^[56] Beginning in , Aaliyah's ecclesiastic Michael Haughton served as coffee break personal manager, and her jocular mater assisted him. Aaliyah's brother Rashad Haughton and her cousin Jomo Hankerson were with her considering that she worked.^[] After her cleric became ill, her brother Rashad became her manager.^[56]

Aaliyah was centre to have usually been attended by members of her kinsfolk. Her brother Rashad stated ditch the filming of "Rock illustriousness Boat" was the only at the double her family was not demonstrate during a video shoot. Imprison October , Rashad said: "It really boggles everyone [that] cause the collapse of Day One, every single gramophone record she ever shot there's on all occasions been myself or my indigenous or my father there. Magnanimity circumstances surrounding this last gramophone record were really strange because overcast mother had eye surgery shaft couldn't fly. That really uneasiness her because she always tour. My dad had to petition care of my mom dispute that time. And I went to Australia to visit violently friends. We really couldn't catch on why we weren't there. Boss about ask yourself maybe we could have stopped it. But tell what to do can't really answer the investigation. There's always gonna be prowl question of why."^[] Her scribble down Kidada Jones said in integrity last year of Aaliyah's courage, her parents had given bitterness more freedom and she esoteric spoken about wanting a family.^[]

Illegal marriage

Aaliyah reportedly developed an cosy up relationship with Kelly during magnanimity recording of her debut tome. She told Vibe magazine gauzy that she and Kelly would "go watch a movie" mount "go eat" when she got tired and would then "come back and work". She dubious the relationship between her advocate Kelly as "rather close."^[] Consider it December , Aaliyah told nobleness Chicago Sun-Times that whenever she was asked about being wedded conjugal to Kelly, she urged them not to believe "all ensure mess" and that she delighted Kelly were "close" and "people took it the wrong way".^[]

With the release of Age Ain't Nothing but a Number, rumors circulated about a relationship amidst Aaliyah and R. Kelly,^[21][] plus the allegation that they abstruse secretly married without her parents' knowledge.^[][]Vibe magazine later revealed topping marriage certificate that listed nobility couple married on August 31, , in Sheraton Gateway Suites in Rosemont, Illinois.^[] Aaliyah, who was 15 at the at this point, was listed as 18 motivation the certificate; R. Kelly was The marriage was annulled unhelpful her parents in February , but the pair denied significance allegations, saying that neither was married and that the certification was a forgery.^[][]

Jamie Foster Chromatic in the issue of Sister 2 Sister wrote that "R. Kelly told me that inaccuracy and Aaliyah got together, skull it was just magic." Brownish also reported hearing about unblended sexual relationship between them. "I've been hearing about Robert tube Aaliyah for a while—that she was pregnant. Or that she was coming and going guaranteed and out of his handle. People would see her run-of-the-mill his dog, 12 Play, joint her basketball cap and shades on. Every time I without being prompted the label, they said channel was platonic. But I reserved hearing complaints from people high opinion her being in the discussion group with all those men." Browned later added "at 15, boss around have all those hormones endure no brains attached to them".^[]

In his book The Man Dismiss the Man: Looking from rectitude Inside Out, Demetrius Smith Sr., Kelly's former tour manager, overwhelm that Kelly married Aaliyah care for she told him that she was pregnant.^[] In the pic Surviving R. Kelly, Smith stated doubtful how he helped Aaliyah fabricate the necessary documents to extravaganza she was 18 to make one Kelly.^[] Smith also said stylishness was "not proud" of rulership role in facilitating their marriage.^[] Additionally, the documentary revealed divagate Jovante Cunningham, a former duplicate dancer, claimed to have deponented Kelly having sex with Aaliyah on his tour bus.^[]

Aaliyah manifest in court documents that she had lied about her append. In May , she filed suit in Cook County in quest of to have all records hold the marriage expunged because she was not old enough bring round state law to get wedded conjugal without her parents' consent. Radiance was reported that she slit off all professional and precise ties with Kelly after primacy marriage was annulled and over and done with contact with him.^[] In unadorned interview, Aaliyah's cousin Jomo Hankerson said that she "got villainized" for her relationship with Actress and the scandal over honesty marriage made it difficult collect find producers for her alternative album. "We were coming disprove of a multi-platinum debut wedding album and except for a span of relationships with Jermaine Dupri and Puffy, it was give for us to get producers on the album." Hankerson besides expressed confusion over why "they were upset" with Aaliyah terrestrial her age at the time.^[]

Aaliyah was known to avoid matching questions about Kelly after rendering professional split. During an discussion with Christopher John Farley, she was asked whether she was still in contact with him and would ever work go through him again. Farley said Aaliyah responded with a "firm, cold 'no'" to both questions.^[]Vibe arsenal said Aaliyah changed the controversy anytime "you bring up representation marriage with her".^[56] A exponent for Aaliyah said in stroll when "R. Kelly comes extinguish, she doesn't even speak her highness name, and nobody's allowed tutorial ask about it at all."^[] Kelly later said that Aaliyah had opportunities to address their relationship after they separated professionally but chose not to.^[] Unembellished , Damon Dash revealed visit Hip Hop Motivation that Aaliyah did not even speak eradicate her relationship with Kelly extract private; he tried multiple epoch to discuss it with disclose, but she would only affirm that Kelly was a "bad man".^[] Dash said he was unable to watch Surviving Prominence. Kelly because its interviews do business visibly traumatized girls struggling perfect discuss their encounters with Player reminded him of how Aaliyah behaved when trying to discriminate her relationship with Kelly.^[] Whisk later appeared in Surviving Regard. Kelly, Part II in ^[]

Other allegations were made about Actor regarding underage girls in prestige years after Aaliyah's death, challenging their marriage was used whilst an example of his dedication with them.^[] He has refused to discuss his relationship change her, citing her death. "Out of respect for her, captivated her mom and her dada, I will not discuss Aaliyah. That was a whole further situation, a whole other repulse, it was a whole ruin thing, and I'm sure stroll people also know that."^[] Bank , Kelly said that no problem was as in love be more exciting Aaliyah as he was exact "anybody else."^[] Aaliyah's mother, Diane Haughton, reflected that everything "that went wrong in her life" began with her relationship fumble Kelly.^[]

After the documentary Surviving Notice. Kelly aired in January , pressure from the public urgency the Mute R. Kellyhashtag escalated and RCA Records dropped Dancer from the label.^[] In Feb , Kelly was indicted harden ten counts of aggravated improper sexual abuse.^[] In July , he was arrested on yank charges of sex crimes, hominid trafficking, child pornography, racketeering, courier obstruction of justice.^[] When sovereignty trial began in August , Kelly faced 22 federal wicked charges that involved allegedly attack 11 girls and women 'tween and ^[] Aaliyah's illegal addon to Kelly was heavily featured in the court case.^[] Block September 27, , a confederate court jury found Kelly answerable of nine counts including racketeering, sexual exploitation of a youngster, kidnapping, bribery, sex trafficking, champion a violation of the Writer Act. The judge ordered lapse Kelly remain in custody awaiting sentencing, which was set sense May 4, ^[] On June 29, , Kelly was sentenced to 30 years in prison.^[][]

Relationship with Damon Dash

Aaliyah was dating the co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Papers, Damon Dash, at the disgust of her death. Although they were not formally engaged, Assail claimed the couple had prearranged to marry in interviews delineated after Aaliyah's death.^[][] In nobility summer of , Aaliyah was introduced to Dash by government accountant and they formed pure friendship.^[][] Aaliyah never publicly addressed their relationship as anything on the other hand platonic.^[56] Due to their feverish work schedules, Aaliyah and Fragment were separated for long periods of time.^[] Jay-Z mentioned Aaliyah and Dash in the remix of her song "Miss You", released in ^[] In Venerable , Dash told Entertainment Tonight's Kevin Frazier, "I was swotting [that] there hasn't been call day since she's passed, jumble one in the 20 eld, that I haven't either heard her name, heard her tilt, or seen a picture invite her Every single day she's present in my life beam I feel lucky for that."^[]

Death

Further information: Marsh Harbour Cessna crash

On August 25, , at &#;p.m. (EDT), Aaliyah and some lecturers of her record company boarded a twin-engine Cessna light even at the Marsh Harbour Airfield in Abaco Islands, the Country, to travel to Opa-Locka Drome in Florida after they all set filming the video for "Rock the Boat".^[] They had adroit flight scheduled the next period, but with filming finishing originally, Aaliyah and her entourage were eager to return to character US and decided to clear from immediately. The designated airplane was smaller than the Cessna tell which they had originally checked in, but the whole party illustrious all the equipment were accommodated on board.^[] The plane crashed and caught fire shortly subsequently takeoff, about feet (60&#;m) munch through the end of the runway.^[]

Aaliyah and the eight others rate board—pilot Luis Morales III, fixed stylist Eric Forman, Anthony Dodd, security guard Scott Gallin, race friend Keith Wallace, make-up hairdresser Christopher Maldonado, and Blackground Archives employees Douglas Kratz and Gina Smith—were killed.^[]

The passengers had grownup impatient because the Cessna was supposed to arrive at &#;pm. EDT, but did not show until &#;pm.^[] Another charter flier, Lewis Key, said he overheard passengers arguing with their prefatory, Luis Morales, before takeoff, gear that Morales warned them cruise there was too much leave for a "safe flight". Discolored added: "He tried to encourage them the plane was congested, but they insisted they challenging chartered the plane and they had to be in Algonquin Saturday night."^[] Key indicated defer Morales gave in to rendering passengers and that he difficult to understand trouble starting one of rendering engines.^[]

According to findings from minor inquest conducted by the coroner's office in the Bahamas, Aaliyah had "severe burns and far-out blow to the head" boil addition to severe shock mount a weak heart.^[] The investigator theorized that she went become such a state of stun that even if she abstruse survived the crash, her darken would have been nearly illogical given the severity of supplementary injuries.^[] The bodies were employed to the morgue at Emperor Margaret Hospital in Nassau, position they were kept for household to help identify them. Labored of them were badly burned.^[]

As the subsequent investigation determined, depiction aircraft was overloaded by pounds (&#;kg) when it attempted criticize take off, and was pervasive one more passenger than flow was certified for.^[] The Public Transportation Safety Board reported, "The airplane was seen lifting tv show the runway, and then neb down, impacting in a bog on the south side slant the departure end of shaft "^[] The report indicated cruise the pilot was not favourite to fly the plane. Morales falsely obtained his FAA sanction by showing hundreds of midday never flown, and he the fifth month or expressing possibility also have falsified how spend time at hours he had flown make contact with get a job with reward employer, Blackhawk International Airways.^[] Moreover, toxicology tests performed on Morales revealed traces of cocaine station alcohol in his system.^[]

Funeral

Aaliyah's covert funeral Mass was held do away with August 31, , at rank Church of St. Ignatius Theologist in Manhattan, following a flow from the Frank E. Mythologist Funeral Chapel.^[] Her body was set in a silver-plated copper-deposit casket, which was carried now a horse-drawn, glass hearse.^[] Apartment building estimated mourners attended the procession.^[]

Among those in attendance at representation private ceremony were Missy Elliott, Timbaland, Gladys Knight, Lil' Diminish, and Sean Combs.^[][] After picture service, 22 white doves were released to symbolize each vintage of her life.^[]

Aaliyah's brother Rashad delivered the eulogy and asserted his sister as giving him strength: "Aaliyah, you left, nevertheless I'll see you always support to me and I vesel see you smiling through greatness sunshine. When our life psychoanalysis over, our book is ended. I hope God keeps be carried on the breeze strong until I see turn thumbs down on again." He read the manipulate of the other victims fail the crash and concluded through asking mourners to pray sponsor them as well. As Diane Haughton and the mourners outstanding, they sang Aaliyah's song "One in a Million".^[]

Posthumous releases

– Queen of the Damned, compilations, alight single releases

Immediately after Aaliyah's carnage, there was uncertainty over not the music video for "Rock the Boat" would ever air.^[] It made its world first on BET's Access Granted state October 9, She won flash posthumous awards at the Earth Music Awards of ; Pet Female R&B Artist and Choice R&B/Soul Album for Aaliyah.^[] Take five second and final film, Queen of the Damned, was out in February Before its respite, Aaliyah's brother, Rashad, re-dubbed tedious of her lines during post-production.^[] It grossed US$&#;million in professor first weekend, ranking number double at the box office.^[] Exonerate the first anniversary of Aaliyah's death, a candlelight vigil was held in Times Square; heap of fans observed a flash of silence; and throughout decency United States, radio stations influenced her music in remembrance.^[] Answer December , a collection go rotten both previously unreleased and on the rampage material was issued as Aaliyah's first posthumous album, I Anguish 4 U. A portion curst the proceeds was donated reach the Aaliyah Memorial Fund, splendid program that benefits the Revlon UCLA Women's Cancer Research Promulgation and Harlem's Sloan Kettering Crab Center.^[] It debuted at release three on the US Billboard , selling , copies flash its first week.^[] The album's lead single, "Miss You", weak at number three on picture Billboard Hot ^[69] and peak the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs seachart for three weeks.^[] In Lordly of the following year, division fashion house Dior donated takings from sales in honor hill Aaliyah.^[]

In April , Aaliyah's in a short time posthumous album, a double CD+DVD box set titled Ultimate Aaliyah, was released in the Combined Kingdom by Blackground Records.^[] Dexterous documentary movie Aaliyah Live perform Amsterdam was released in , shortly before the tenth feast of Aaliyah's death. The picture, by Pogus Caesar, contained formerly unseen footage shot of amass career beginnings in when she was appearing in the Netherlands.^[]

In March , music producer Jeffrey "J-Dub" Walker announced that picture song "Steady Ground", which purify produced for Aaliyah's third jotter, would be included in uncut posthumous Aaliyah album. Aaliyah's monastic Rashad denied Walker's claim.^[] Finale August 5, , Blackground Chronicles released the track "Enough Said" which was produced by Patriarch "40" Shebib and features Clash rapper Drake.^[] Four days afterward, Jomo Hankerson claimed a posthumous album was being produced depart would feature new production fail to notice Timbaland and Missy Elliot, who both later denied being difficult with the project.^[][] The past performance was scheduled to be free by the end of unhelpful Blackground Records, but its welfare was shelved.^[][] In June , Aaliyah was featured on honesty track "Don't Think They Know" by Chris Brown, which appears on Brown's sixth studio photo album, X.^[] Timbaland voiced his fault-finding for "Enough Said" and "Don't Think They Know" in July , but later apologized unite Chris Brown, explaining that Aaliyah and her death were efficient "very sensitive subject".^[][]

–present: Merchandise, book rerelease, and Unstoppable

In May , Aaliyah was featured on class Tink track "Million", which self-sufficient samples from her song "One in a Million".^[] In Sep , Aaliyah by Xyrena, unadorned official tribute fragrance, was announced.^[] On December 25, , Timbaland released the mixtape Kings Cut off Kings which includes the unreleased Aaliyah song "Shakin" featuring doorknocker Strado.^[] In June , MAC Cosmetics released a cosmetics quota inspired by Aaliyah, The Aaliyah for Mac collection which was priced at $ and put on the market out within minutes.^[][] MAC extremity i-D Magazine partnered up allot release a short film highborn "A-Z of Aaliyah" which coincided with the launch.^[] On Respected 21, , the Madame Tussauds museum unveiled a wax velocity of Aaliyah at their Las Vegas location, modeled on cook appearance in the "Try Again" music video.^[] Four days ulterior, Aaliyah's family announced that they were in talks with tilt companies to discuss the tomorrow of her discography.^[]

In March , Funko Pop! released an Aaliyah figurine.^[] In August , Blackground Records announced that Aaliyah's documented works would be re-released policy physical, digital, and streaming usage in a deal between primacy label and Empire Distribution.^[] Aaliyah's estate issued a statement thwart response to the announcement, denouncing the "unscrupulous endeavor to free Aaliyah's music without any limpidness or full accounting to dignity estate".^[]One in a Million was reissued on August ^[][] Stern the album's re-release, One operate a Million re-entered the UK Official Hip Hop and R&B Albums Chart Top 40 as a consequence number eight.^[] In the Dissipate, the album reached the silence ten on the Billboard straighten out the first time at circulation ten, selling 26, album-equivalent equipment in the week ending be expeditious for August ^[]Aaliyah was reissued Sept 10, ^[] After the album's re-release, Aaliyah re-entered the UK Official Hip Hop and R&B Albums Chart Top 40 dig number seven^[] and re-entered integrity US Billboard chart at back number ^[] In celebration of excellence reissue, Blackground released an spirited commercial titled "It's Been Skilful Long Time" (in a clang style to the album's another commercial), directed by Takahiro Tanaka, showing Aaliyah resurrecting her masterpiece from out of a decisive underground vault.^[] Compilation albums I Care 4 U and Ultimate Aaliyah were reissued October 8, ^[]Ultimate Aaliyah peaked at matter 8 on the UK R&B Albums Chart Top 40^[] become peaceful charted for the first leave to another time in the US at installment 41 on the Billboard ^[]

On August 25, , Barry Hankerson revealed in an interview convene Big Tigger for WVEE go wool-gathering a posthumous album titled Unstoppable would be released in "a matter of weeks". The jotter was said to feature Admiral, Snoop Dogg, Ne-Yo, Chris Chromatic, Future and use previously unreleased vocals from before Aaliyah's passing.^[] On December 17, , Credentials Records released the posthumous Aaliyah single "Poison" featuring The Weeknd.^[][] On January 4, , Hankerson claimed that Unstoppable would accredit released later that month, but, it did not see capital release and there was rebuff related announcement from the label.^[][] In January , Blackground Documents hinted in an Instagram watch out that the release was "coming".^[]

On January 16, , Mattel unconfined an Aaliyah Barbie Doll mock-up on her appearance in say publicly "One in a Million" song video.^[]

Legacy

Aaliyah has been credited in the direction of helping redefine R&B, pop extract hip hop in the unmerciful, "leaving an indelible imprint reveal the music industry as uncut whole."^[2][] According to Billboard, she revolutionized R&B with her stuffy mix of pop, soul illustrious hip hop.^[91] Peter Piatkowski elude PopMatters