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Aaliyah Dana Haughton (January 16, 1979 – August 25, 2001), better known as Aaliyah (Template:PronEng), was a multiple Grammy Award-nominated American Music Award-winning American singer, dancer, actress, model, and teen idol. Introduced to audiences by R&B/pop singer R. Kelly, Aaliyah became famous during the mid-1990s with several hit records from the songwriting/production team of Missy Elliott and Timbaland. She was nominated for exactly five Grammy Awards, and won three AMAs as well.

Despite her short career, she sold approximately 32 million records worldwide. In addition to commercial success, her collaborations with Timbaland helped shape the sound of R&B in the latter half of the 1990s. She also modeled for Tommy Hilfiger and starred in two motion pictures before being killed in a plane crash in the Bahamas.

Early years

Aaliyah Dana Haughton was born in Bedford-Stuyvesant, a neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City, New York to Michael and Diane Haughton, and was raised in Detroit, Michigan. Her name means "Highest, Most Exalted, The Best" in both Arabic and Hebrew. Her maternal grandmother, Mintis L. Hicks Hankerson, gave her the middle name Dana. Aaliyah was brought up as a Catholic with her older brother Rashad Haughton. Diane Haughton, Aaliyah's mother, also a vocalist, encouraged her daughter's career.

In 1989, she appeared on the TV talent show Star Search at age ten, singing her mother's favorite song, "My Funny Valentine". Although she did not win, she remained a good sport and continued to perfect her skills. Aaliyah worked with an agent in New York and auditioned for TV shows, including Family Matters.

Following her appearance on Star Search, an eleven year old Aaliyah performed on stage in Las Vegas, Nevada with Gladys Knight, her aunt by way of Knight's marriage to her uncle, Barry Hankerson. Knight recalled, "She was still quite young, but she already had it--that spark the world would later see and fall in love with." In her early teens, Aaliyah attended the Detroit High School for the Fine and Performing Arts, and graduated as a Dance major with a 4.0 GPA.

Film, television and soundtracks

With an ethereal beauty, an angelic voice and agile dance moves, Aaliyah was able to parlay her skills into roles in movies and television. Early in her career, she appeared on the Nickelodeon series All That performing "Age Ain't Nothing But a Number". She returned again in 1996 to perform her hit "One in a Million". She also appeared as herself on a 1994 episode of the gritty cop drama New York Undercover.

She also garnered much success from her songs being featured on movie soundtracks. In 1997, Aaliyah appeared on the soundtrack album for the Fox Animation Studios animated feature Anastasia, singing the pop version of "Journey to the Past". The song was nominated for an Academy Award, and Aaliyah performed the song at the 1998 Academy Awards ceremony.

Aaliyah had a massive hit in 1998 with "Are You that Somebody" (#4 airplay U.S. and #1 R&B airplay for eight weeks), from the Dr. Dolittle soundtrack. Its video was the third most-played on MTV that year, and the song's success helped make Aaliyah a household name and crowned her as "Queen of Urban Pop".

In 2000, Aaliyah landed her first major movie role in Romeo Must Die, which debuted at number one at the box office. A loose adaptation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Aaliyah starred opposite martial artist Jet Li, playing a couple who fall in love amid their warring families. In addition to acting, Aaliyah and Timbaland executive produced the film's soundtrack album and she contributed four songs: "Are You Feelin' Me?", "I Don't Wanna", "Come Back in One Piece," a duet with DMX which landed at #2 on BET's "Notarized" Top 100 videos of 2000, and the international number one hit "Try Again."

Aaliyah made history when "Try Again" became the first song to ever reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 based solely on the strength of its radio airplay, without any single sales factored in. After the huge success of "Try Again" on radio, a 12" maxi single was released for consumer purchase. "Try Again" landed at #1 on BET's "Notarized" Top 100 Videos of 2000. The radio-only single, "I Don't Wanna", (which was also featured on the soundtrack for the film Next Friday) peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles & Tracks chart.

In 2001, Aaliyah went to Australia to co-star with Stuart Townsend in the vampire film The Queen of the Damned, an adaptation of the Anne Rice novel of the same name. Released after her death, the Washington Post review encapsulated what many felt: "Aaliyah takes to the role with enough presence to make you think about what might have been."

Looking ahead, Aaliyah had a supporting role in the two sequels to The Matrix as Zee, the wife of Harold Perrineau Jr.'s character, Link. The directors initially tried to find a way to incorporate her footage into the movies but decided against it due to lack of material available. The role was recast with Nona Gaye playing the role. In 2004, The Matrix was released to DVD, tributes and footage of Aaliyah were found inside the special features.

Other films in which Aaliyah was signed to appear were Honey (Jessica Alba was eventually cast as the main character), a role in the movie State Property 2 (which was recast with Mariah Carey), and a Whitney Houston-produced remake of the 1976 film Sparkle which was canceled in 2007.

Death

On August 25, 2001, at 6:50 pm (EST), just after finishing filming of the "Rock the Boat" video, Aaliyah and various members of her record company boarded a twin engine Cessna 402B (N8097W) at Marsh Harbour, Abaco Island, Bahamas to travel to Opa-locka Airport near Miami, Florida. The crew had a flight scheduled the next day, but the video wrapped early. Aaliyah and her entourage were eager to return to the US and took their heavy equipment from the shoot on the plane rather than leave it behind.

The plane crashed shortly after takeoff about 200 feet (70 m) from the runway. Pilot Luis Morales III and all eight passengers were killed. Her hair stylist Eric Foreman, Anthony Dodd, her security guard Scott Gallin, Douglas Kratz (a director of video production for Virgin Records), stylist Christopher Maldonado, Keith Wallace and Gina Smith (both employees of the Blackground label) all died along with Aaliyah.

According to findings from an inquest conducted by the coroners office in the Bahamas, Aaliyah suffered from "severe burns and a blow to the head," in addition to severe shock. The coroner theorized that, even if Aaliyah had survived the crash, her recovery would have been virtually impossible given the severity of her injuries.

Aaliyah's funeral was held on August 31, 2001 at Saint Ignatius Loyola Roman Catholic Church in Manhattan, New York City. She was interred at the Rosewood Mausoleum in Ferncliff Cemetery, Hartsdale, New York.

Investigation

The NTSB report stated "The airplane was seen lifting off the runway, and then nose down, impacting in a marsh on the south side of the departure end of runway 27."

It also indicated that the pilot, Luis Morales III, was not approved to pilot the plane he was attempting to fly. Morales falsely obtained his FAA license by showing hundreds of hours never flown, and he may also have falsified how many hours he had flown in order to get a job with his employer, Blackhawk International Airways. Additionally, an autopsy performed on Morales revealed traces of cocaine and alcohol in his blood.

Further investigations determined the plane was over its total gross weight by several hundred pounds. Eddie Golson, president of Pro Freight Cargo Services at Opa-locka Airport, said workers carted "a pickup truck of freight" from the crash site. Two of the passengers weighed in the region of 300 pounds and sat in the rear of the plane, where the baggage was also stored.

The NTSB report stated that "the total gross weight of the airplane was substantially exceeded." In addition, with heavy passengers and cargo in the back, the center of gravity was pushed too far aft. This caused an uncontrollable nose-up attitude, leading to a stall.

The day of the crash was Morales' first official day with Blackhawk International Airways, an FAA Part 135 single-pilot operation. In addition, Luis Morales III was not registered with the FAA to fly for Blackhawk. As a result of the accident, a wrongful death lawsuit was filed by Aaliyah’s parents and was later settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.

Barry & Sons, Inc., a corporation formed in 1992 to develop, promote and capitalize on the musical talents of Aaliyah and to oversee the production and distribution of her records, tapes and music videos, brought an unsuccessful lawsuit in the Supreme Court of the State of New York against Instinct Productions LLC, (a company hired by Barry & Sons, Inc. in August 2001 to produce the "Rock the Boat" music video). The case was dismissed since New York State's wrongful death statute only permits certain people to recover damages for wrongful death.

Legacy

"Rock the Boat" went on to become a posthumous hit on radio (reaching number two on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles charts, number 14 on the Hot 100, and number 12 in the UK) and video channels, and the news of Aaliyah's death gave her album a notable sales boost, pushing it to number one on the Billboard 200. The album produced two other singles: "More Than a Woman" reached number seven on Billboard's Hot R&B singles chart, number 25 on Hot 100, and number 1 in the UK, and at number 11 on BET's "Notarized" Top 100 videos of 2002. "I Care 4 U" reached number three on Billboard's Hot R&B singles chart and number three on the Hot 100, the latter attaining success even without the promotional push of a music video. The Aaliyah album has gone on to sell over three million copies in the U.S.

Her last film Queen of the Damned was released in early 2002. Before its release, Aaliyah's brother Rashad Haughton was called upon to re-dub several of his sister's lines during the post-production ADR process. Upon its release, the film debuted at number one. The film was dedicated to her memory.

Aaliyah and former Beatle George Harrison made UK Chart history in January 2002 when they scored the first, and to date, only back-to-back posthumous number one hits (aside from the Elvis Presley re-releases in 2005). Aaliyah's "More than a Woman", released on January 7 and topped the chart on January 13, was followed by Harrison's "My Sweet Lord", re-released on January 14 and topped the chart on January 20.

Aaliyah was voted one of "The Top 40 Women of the Video Era" in VH1's The Greatest, also ranked number 36 on their list of the 100 Sexiest Artists. Aaliyah also made E!'s list on the 101 Most Shocking Moments in Entertainment, Juiciest Hollywood Hookups, and Best Kept Hollywood Secrets. Aaliyah recently ranked at number 18 on BET's "Top 25 Dancers of All Time" and ranked at number four on BET's "Top 25 Sexiest Women of all Time".

Aaliyah has been the topic of four books: Aaliyah: More than a Woman (2001) by Christopher John Farley, Aaliyah: An R&B Princess in Words and Pictures (2002) by Kelly Kenyatta, Aaliyah by Tim Footman (2003), and Aaliyah Remembered: Her Life & The Person behind the Mystique (2005) by William Sutherland.

Her family created The Aaliyah Memorial Fund which will donate money raised to charities Aaliyah supported. Aaliyah's Cancer Awareness Angels participate in a Revlon Run Walk in which Aaliyah herself once participated.

The hip-hop community has kept her memory alive by mentioning her name and referencing her songs in many of their lyrics.

A possible future biopic is also in the works.

Cover tributes

• French R&B singer Assia covered "Don't Know What To Tell Ya" with French and Arabic lyrics and entitled it "Le prix pour t' aimer (Habibi Maareft Ach'n Oullek)" in her latest album Encore et Encore.

• The Gossip covered "Are You That Somebody" as a tribute to Aaliyah

• Others include tracks by DMX, Yolanda Adams, Tyrese, R. Kelly, TLC, Timbaland, The Game (rapper) & Outsiderz 4 Life.

• Danish musician Jesper Henriksen covered "Try Again" in a lo-fi indie version in 2007. Video

Other tributes

• Mary J. Blige, a fellow hip-hop/soul singer, makes reference to Aaliyah's death being a difficult and important point in her life in her song "MJB da MVP"
• R&B singer Brandy made musical and lyrical references to Aaliyah. She pays homage to Aaliyah on "Turn It Up" and "Should I Go" from her 2004 album Afrodisiac.
• Also Rapper Jadakiss made the statement in his song "Why" "Why Aaliyah have to take that flight"
• R&B Singers Ray J and Brandy made a lyrical reference to Aaliyah on "War Is Over" on Ray J's 2005 album Raydiation.
• Rapper Kanye West cites both Aaliyah's death and Left Eyes' in his song "Never Let Me Down"
• The movie "Queen of the Damned" was dedicated to Aaliyah post mortem, "In memory of Aaliyah 1979 - 2001" is displayed at the end of the movie, before the credits are displayed.
• Southern rappers Nappy Roots pay lyrical homage to Aaliyah with the lines "Shouts out to Aaliyah, lived a legendary career, on my wall I got ya picture, God pray with ya" on the track Blowin' Trees.
• Rick Vocals dedicated his 1st single in tribute to Aaliyah.
• Edyta Górniak dedicated her second album "Invisible" in tribute to Aaliyah.

Discography

Albums

• 1994: Age Ain't Nothing but a Number (DEAD PLATINUM Platinum)
• 1996: One in a Million (DEAD Platinum)
• 2001: Aaliyah (DEAD PLATINUM)

Compilation albums

• 2002: I Care 4 U (3x Platinum)
• 2005: Ultimate Aaliyah (UK release) (Platinum)

Number-one singles

The following singles reached number one in the United States, United States R&B, United Kingdom, and New Zealand.

Awards

• Grammy Award
  • 1999, Best R&B Vocal Performance - Female: "Are You That Somebody?" (Nominee)
  • 2001, Best R&B Vocal Performance - Female: "Try Again" (Nominee)
  • 2002, Best R&B Album: Aaliyah (Nominee)
  • 2002, Best R&B Vocal Performance - Female: "Rock The Boat" (Nominee)
  • 2003, Best R&B Vocal Performance - Female: "More Than A Woman" (Nominee)

• MTV Video Music Awards
  • 1999, Best R&B Video: "Are You That Somebody?" (Nominee)
  • 1999, Best Video from a Film: "Are You That Somebody?" (Nominee)
  • 2000, Best Female Video: "Try Again" (Winner)
  • 2000, Best Video From Film: "Try Again" (Winner)
  • 2002, Best R&B Video: "Rock The Boat" (Nominee)
  • 2003, Best R&B Video: "Miss You" (Nominee)

• MOBO Awards
  • 2002, Best Video: "More Than a Woman" (Winner)
  • 2002, Best Dance Video: "More Than a Woman" (Winner)
  • 2002, Best International Act (Winner)

• BET Awards
  • 2002, Best Actress: "Queen of The Damned" (Nominee)
  • 2002, Best Female R&B Artist (Nominee)
  • 2002, Video of The Year : " Rock The Boat" (nominee)
  • 2002, Viewer Choice Awards (Nominee)

• Image Awards
  • 2002, Outstanding Female Artist (Winner)
  • 2003, Best female video: "Miss You" (Winner)

• Soul Train Awards
  • 1998, Female R&B/Soul Single: "One In A Million" (Nominee)
  • 2002 Female R&B/Soul Single: "Rock The Boat" (Winner)

• Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards
  • 1999, Best R&B/Soul Song: "Are You That Somebody?" (Nominee)
  • 1999, Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video: "Are You That Somebody?" (Nominee)
  • 2000, Best R&B/Soul Single - Solo: "Try Again" (Nominee)
  • 2000, Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video : "Try Again" (Winner)
  • 2001, Best R&B/Soul or Rap Song of the Year: "Try Again" (Winner)
  • 2002, Best R&B/Soul Solo Single: "Rock the Boat" (Winner)
  • 2002, Best R&B/Soul or Rap Song of the Year: "Rock the Boat" (Winner)

• American Music Awards
  • 1999, Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist (Nominee)
  • 2002, Favorite Female R&B Artist (Winner)
  • 2002, Favorite R&B/Soul Album: Aaliyah (Winner)
  • 2003, Favorite Female R&B Artist (Winner)

• Source Awards
  • 2000, R&B Artist of the Year, Female: Aaliyah (Winner)

• World Music Awards
  • 1997, World's Best Selling Female R&B Artist (Winner)
  • 1998, World's Best Selling R&B Artist (Winner)
  • 1998, World's Best Selling Single (Are You that Somebody) (Nominee)
  • 1998, Entertainer Of The Year (Winner)
  • 2000, World's Best Selling R&B Artist (Nominee)
  • 2000, Female Entertainer Of The Year (Winner)
  • 2002 World's Best Selling Female R&B Artist (Winner)
  • 2002 World's Best Selling Female Pop Artist (Nominee)

• Brit Awards
  • 2003, Best International Female Artist (Nominee)

• Juno Awards
  • 2002, Best Selling Album By International Artist (Aaliyah (album) (Winner)
  • 2003, Best Selling Album By International Artist (I Care 4 U) (Nominee)

• New Musical Express, UK (NME)
  • 2002, Record of The Year "More Than a Woman" (Winner)

• International Dance Music Awards, World
  • 2000, Best International R&B Artist (Winner)
  • 2000, Best International Female Artist (Winner)
  • 2002, Best International Female Artist (Winner)
  • 2002, Record Of The Year "More Than a Woman" (Winner)

• MTV Latin Awards
  • 2002, Best R&B Artist (Winner)
  • 2002, Best Song "More Than a Woman" (Nominee)

• MTV Europe Awards
  • 2002, Best R&B Artist (Nominee)
  • 2002, Best Song "More Than a Woman" (Nominee)

• Icon Israeli Musical Artist Award
  • 2004, Best Selling International Female Artist of All-Time (Honorary Award)

Filmography

• All That (TV series) (1995 & 1997) - Musical guest
• New York Undercover (TV series) (1997) - Musical guest
• Romeo Must Die (2000) - Trish O'Day
• Queen of the Damned (2002) - Akasha

Films that were recast after her death:

• Honey (2003) - Honey (recast to Jessica Alba)
• The Matrix Reloaded/The Matrix Revolutions (2003) - Zee (recast to Nona Gaye)
• State Property 2 (2005) - (Recast to Mariah Carey)

References

1. ^ "Aaliyah NNDB Profile". NNDB. Retrieved 2007-03-03.
2. "Artist Biography". Surge. 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
3. All Music.com.
4. http://www.reuters.com/news/a/29930/9959ne.htm
5. Aaliyah Killed In Plane Crash. MTV News. 26 August 2001.
6. Meaning of Aaliyah. Baby Names World.com.
7. Meaning of the Baby Name Aaliyah - similar names Aleah, Alea, Aleaseya, Aliya, Alia, Aleeya, Aliyah, Allyiah
8. Origin and Meaning of the Name Aaliyah. Wedding Vendors.com. Accessed September 26, 2007
9. IMDb (2008). "Biography for Aaliyah". IMDb. Retrieved 2008-01-17. {{cite web}}: line feed character in |title= at position 14 (help)
10. Billboard statement from Gladys Knight after Aaliyah's death
11. Oscar Performance on YouTube
12. Sing 365 article
13. In Memory of Aaliyah - More than a Woman, from Vibe Magazine
14. Blender magazine's "10 Worst Rock Star Plane Crashes"
15. CNN report on Aaliyah's Plane Crash.
16. Bahamas Coroner delivers verdict in Aaliyah death crash. (2003, November 21). Caribbean News. Retrieved February 9, 2007.
17. Aaliyah's listing at findagrave.com with photos
18. ^ NTSB report
19. MTV News
20. MTV News. 28 February 2002.
21. Text of appellate division decision dismissing the case.
22. Aaliyah Rock on the Net.com.
23. Aaliyah.com

External links

• Official site
• Aaliyah discography at Discogs
• Aaliyah at IMDb
• Template:Amg name
• Aaliyah at LyricWiki
• MP3 of CBS News, Radio reports on crash from Abaco Island
• Aaliyah at RollingStone.com
• MTV Archive
• An MTV interview with Aaliyah from April 2001

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