Aaliyah Dana Houghton was a famous contemporary R&B, pop, and hip-hop musician. Also known as the “Princess of R&B” and the “Queen of Urban Pop”, she is well-known for her use of falsetto and harmonies. Aaliyah describes her style as breathy and soft.

Aaliyah was born in Brooklyn, New York, on January 19, 1979. She was raised in Detroit alongside her older brother, Rashad. Her mother, a talented vocalist, enrolled Aaliyah in vocal lessons at a young age. When cast in her elementary school’s production of Annie, Aaliyah was inspired to become an entertainer. She appeared on the TV show Star Search at the age of 10, where she performed alongside Gladys Knight. When she was 12, she signed with Jive Records and Blackground Records, where she was introduced to R. Kelly, who quickly became her mentor.

She released her debut album, Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number, in 1994. Her popularity skyrocketed as the album quickly sold over 3 million copies and was certified double Platinum. She ended her contract with Jive Records amid some controversy and signed with Atlantic Records. Working alongside record producers Timbaland and Missy Elliot, Aaliyah released her second album, One in a Million, in 1996. The success of the album helped Aaliyah land her role in the film Romeo Must Die. Aaliyah released her third and final album, Aaliyah, in 2001. She went on to be cast in the starring role in Queen of the Damned, released in 2002.

Aaliyah’s music was featured at the top of the Billboard 200 list, but also won many awards. In total, she was nominated for over 70 awards and won 22. She won 3 American Music Awards, for favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist in 2002 and 2003, as well as favorite Soul/R&B Album in 2002. Aaliyah also earned two MTV Video Music Awards for her “Try Again” music video. Her albums have sold over 8.1 million copies in the US and an estimated 24-32 million worldwide.

Aaliyah died at the age of 22 in a plane crash in the Bahamas on August 25, 2001. She and eight others were killed when the aircraft she was in crashed shortly after takeoff. The plane was overloaded, and it was later determined that the pilot was unfit to fly. Her death was greatly mourned among fans and other musicians alike. She was buried on August 31, 2001, after a private mass in Manhattan. Even after her death, Aaliyah’s music saw commercial success as it was included in the compilation albums I Care 4 U and Ultimate Aaliyah. She was also honoured at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards in a tribute by Janet Jackson, Missy Elliot, Timbaland, Ginuwine, and her brother Rashad.