Music Legends: Aaliyah (Women's)

Aaliyah (1979–2001) was an American R&B singer, actress, and model known for her smooth vocals, futuristic style, and innovative fusion of R&B, hip-hop, and pop. Born Aaliyah Dana Haughton on January 16, 1979, in Brooklyn, New York, she was raised in Detroit, Michigan, where she began performing at a young age.

She rose to fame at age 15 with her debut album, Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number (1994), produced by R. Kelly. Her follow-up albums, One in a Million (1996) and the self-titled Aaliyah (2001), solidified her as a leading figure in contemporary R&B. She was known for hits like “Are You That Somebody?”, “Try Again,” “Back & Forth,” and “Rock the Boat.”

Aaliyah also began a promising acting career, starring in films such as Romeo Must Die (2000) and was set for future roles in major projects. Tragically, her life was cut short in a plane crash on August 25, 2001, in the Bahamas at age 22, shortly after filming a music video. Despite her brief career, Aaliyah remains a beloved and influential icon in music and fashion, often referred to as the “Princess of R&B.”