It’s been a decade since the tragic death of R&B star and budding actress Aaliyah Dana Haughton.
Just 22 years old at the time of her death, she was in the Bahamas heading back to the States after wrapping up her 2001 music video, “Rock The Boat.”
The twin-engine plane crashed shortly after takeoff. Aboard were Aaliyah and eight others — including her hair stylist, Eric Forman, makeup artists Anthony Dodd and Christopher Maldonado, security guard Scott Gallin, video producer Douglas Kratz, Blackground Records employees Keith Wallace and Gina Smith, and the pilot, Luis Morales III. In an instant their lives and Aaliyah’s promising career were gone.
Born in Brooklyn and raised in Detroit, she quickly garnered a fan base in the early ’90s with her original take on R&B music. Working with industry greats like Missy Elliott, Timbaland, R. Kelly and more, she topped the charts with a slew of hits, including “Back & Forth,” “Age Ain’t Nothin’ But a Number,” “Are You That Somebody” and “We Need A Resolution”.
Aaliyah’s standout fashion sense made her a hot commodity among the fashion crowd: She modeled for Tommy Hilfiger (VIEW RARE COMMERCIAL HERE), who showcased her tomboy appeal 
— baggy jeans and a tight-fitting shirt — and was featured on the covers of many magazines with that trendsetting hair swoop over her left eye.
Her influence on the music game is still relevant today. She has inspired artists from singer-rapper Drake to pop superstar Beyonce. Ciara, who is best known for her singing and dancing moves, has an Aaliyah-inspired stage presence and dressing style.
Singer-songwriter Tank, who worked closely with Aaliyah on her last two albums, spoke with Concrete Loop earlier this year about where she would be right now if she were alive. “She would be at the top and there would probably be a few people who wouldn’t have careers,” he said.
If you think about it, she was already on top. 
At the time of her death, she had three top-selling albums under her belt, many nominations and awards and was slated to have a big role in “The Matrix Reloaded” and “Matrix Revolution” movies.
She had just completed her work on the film, “Queen of The Damned” and was already being sought after for other movie roles. Not to mention, she had a solid and loyal fan base. However, the rest of her journey to super-stardom just wasn’t meant to be.
A month before her untimely death, Aaliyah granted MTV’s show “Diary” behind-the-scenes access to her fast-paced life and said, “I am truly blessed to wake up every 
morning to do something that I love; there is nothing better than that.”
She continued, “Everything is worth it — the hard work, the times when you’re tired, the times when you are a bit sad. In the end, it’s all worth it because it really makes me happy. I wouldn’t trade it for anything else in the world. I’ve got good friends, a beautiful family and I’ve got a career. I thank God for his blessings every single chance I get.”
So, on August 25, blast Aaliyah’s timeless music loud and remember her for being a trendsetting force in fashion and for helping to redefine and take R&B music to another level.
–
This article can also be read on CNN.COM. CL founder/editor Angel Laws is now a contributing writer and content provider to their entertainment section.
Aaliyah is definitely one great artist that I truly miss. Loved her voice, music, style, and character. She is one of those artist that dont come around often and unique about what she did. Respect her for that and doing it well. Overall she seemed sweet and humble. We both were born the same year and it just makes me really know that Im blessed to still be alive and not take life for granted. Luv ya babygirl.
Black White Cupid) c/o-m
Ｔｈｅ ｂｅｓｔ ｃｌｕｂ ｆｏｒ ｓｅｅｋｉｎｇ H O T ｓｉｎｇｌｅｓ，ｈｏｔ ａｎｄ ｓｅｘｙ ｂｅａｕｔｉｅｓ．
You’ll find the best selection of hot babies,
sexy singles at the exclusive interracial dating community,．Join it right now and have fun….if you like why not try it you know
Love you Aaliyah…you are missed but still live on today..RIP
Aaliyah will always remain one of my favorite female artist. She was a beautiful person and classy young lady with a unique style. RIP AAliyah.
R.I.P Aaliyah
We miss you
AALIYAH WILL NEVER BE REPLACED – THERE ARE SOMETHINGS WE ARE JUST NOT MEANT TO UNDERSTAND BUT ONE THINGS FOR SURE – NO ONE CAN EVER FILL THE VOID LEFT IN MUSIC WHEN SHE PASSED – R.I.P
R.I.P AALIYAH…YOU REALLY WERE ONE IN A MILLION <3
10 years? I’m getting old. I remember as a kid, I thought being 22 was old, I was only 12 and now Im 22. I was devastated and so were my parents after I explained to them who she was and how she died, I was a fan but became a stan after that, I cried and felt sad as if she was my own sister, I was also very scared lol. Such a terrifying & tragic death. Her last album was ahead of its time. She will always be missed and remembered. RIP.
I remember learning when she died. I was chatting on AIM with an internet buddy (haha) and he said he got a msg on his 2way pager (remember those?? Wowww! Hahaha) that she died. I didn’t believe him b/c he never liked Aaliyah but knew that I did, so I checked on her official website and that’s when I saw the awful message. I also remember all the speculations of who was also on the plane- Timbaland, Missy, Damon Dash, even R. Kelly! Once all the official news started coming in, I was so heartbroken. I am a music head, but there weren’t (and still aren’t) any female artists that I’m truly a fan of, so Aaliyah was really special to me b/c she stood out amongst my catalog of male-made music lol. Back then, I used to think, “why did my ONLY fav female singer have to go?…” But now I try to think from a positive POV- yes she is gone, but she will be forever young in our minds. Her style was timeless and her music as well. She left us on a beautifully high note.
I dont know why people dont post this quote, this is one of her most revealing, relieving & disturbing quotes that is in her official memorial book:
(Interview in July 2001 with Germany`s “Die Zeit” newspaper that earily predicts her death): “It is dark in my favorite dream. Someone is following me. I don`t know why. I`m scared. Then suddenly I lift off. Far away. How do I feel? As if I am swimming in the air. Free. Weightless. Nobody can reach me. Nobody can touch me. It`s a wonderful feeling.”
wowwwww, I got to see her and Left Eye both right before their deaths…Left Eye was standing next to me at an industry party and Aaliyah walked pass me at an Essence Mag event…very strange if I think about it too hard, so I try not to…
RIP Aaliyah…you’re definitely missed. You changed many lives in life and in death. God rest Aaliyah’s soul.
P.S. Congrats Angel on the writing gig.
Wishing you were still here.
I remember the day she died and I don’t know why because I was 10 and wasn’t really an Aaliyah fan at the time. I liked some of her songs but I didn’t really take her in like everyone else. I just remember being a bit sad and hearing my best friend at the time balling because she loved Aaliyah. My favourite Aaliyah song is “The One I Gave My Heart To.”
P.S: Congrats Angel!
I was truly sadden when she passed away. She is still missed.
RIP Aaliyah. You will always be inour hearts forever!!! We miss you baby girl. We know you would definately be on TOP today.
I will never forget the day she passed it has been etched in my mind forever. She was truly someone special and no one can take her place. I felt like she was one of the girls and cried along with my roommates when she passed, even though we didn’t know her personally she left a lasting impression on us. R.I.P Aaliyah
OMG…She was just so beautiful. RIP Aaliyah. Still my favorite. I know you would have been killing the industry if you were here today.
On August 25, 2001 God called Aaliyah Dana Haughton home and 10 years later your love, light, & legacy lives on through all who love you! Thank you for Babygirl sharing with us the gift from God that is, you.
I love you, Always and Eternally..
beautifully said….truly…
I’ll never forget the day before she died me and my brother who was obsessed with Aaliyah’s beauty had an argument over who looked better, Aaliyah or Beyonce. Of course at the time not accepting dark skin and real beauty I said Beyonce. And after everyone in the house agreed with him that Aaliyah was beautiful I subconsciously wished Aaliyah died. The next morning….well you know how that goes. It hurt me to find that out because I was young at the time, and really didn’t realize what I was saying.
I’ve done some awful things and said ill thoughts as a child, we don’t know better…just repent ask God to forgive you and He will, don’t beat yourself up, just understand that YES thoughts ARE quite powerful and we give LIFE to what we think and say…which is why I try my hardest to be and think positively, God is love as we all should be…
dark? she is clearly lightskinned as well
God rest, baby girl.
FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER! @MUSIC_ME84. I’LL FOLLOW BACK.
FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER! @MUSIC_ME84. I’LL FOLLOW BACK.
FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER! @MUSIC_ME84. I’LL FOLLOW BACK.
FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER! @MUSIC_ME84. I’LL FOLLOW BACK.
It doesn’t even seem like it was 10 years ago. Back in August of 2001 they played Rocked The Boat as the new song of the day, on WAMO (Pittsburgh) radio station. I Remembered they played the song on a Friday and the next day Aaliyah passes away. But I remember my mom telling me that, did you hear the news on radio that Aaliyah had passed. I told her no, while we getting ready for church. My mom took me to sunday school and everybody in the teenage class was talking about the passing of Aaliyah. My sunday school teacher at that time was like, whoes Aaliyah and somebody explained to him that she was a singer. Mind you Aaliyah was the same age of my former sunday school teachers kids and they would’ve known who Aaliyah was at that time. On the first day of school my sophmore year of high school everybody was talking about the passing of Aaliyah and even the teachers. I also remember my former principal sent all of the afternoon vo-tech students home and I called my grandma to pick me up from school. She asked me how was the first day of school. I said everybody was talking about a singer that died in plane crash and she was like, I heard about that singer passing away. Rest In Peace Aaliyah.
Every time I see her pictures and hear her music I feel like I know her on a personal level. Her music touched me and from her interview and appearances on shows, she seemed like a down to earth person. RIP Aaliyah gone but never forgotten.
WOW! Can ya’ll be any more obsessed?! 4 posts back to back….she did not contribute anything significant to the industry. The only thing she will be always be remembered for was her relationship with the ped*phile, RKelly, whose most memorable song was “Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number” was written by RKelly- who also posed in the background of the cd cover as her pimp. Also, her lame dark & de.monic movies all BOMBED.
ummm, who is more obsessed…. it’s you!!!! Your talking on her post right??? Can you say to yourself “I’m an idiot”!!!! Every post that they talk about Aaliyah or Missy you get sexual satifaction, you look like a damn loser TROLL HERE!!! LMAO!!! What you need to do is go read a book and simmer in it, ped*phile TROLL!!!! Aaliyah is better than you ever be!!!
You need chill out. All you do is talk sh*t about every celebirty (whether dead or alive), on every post. She did contribute to the entertainment industry. She also had more memoralble songs, then song you only named. When you pass away ain’t nobody going to remember your stupid behind.
r3alt@lk: Exactly!!! @IDOMIND: Why are you here??? You sound like a real bitter bitch that she has stature more then your fat disgusting slob behind behind the computer, WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IS TO WASH YOUR STANK SELF WITH SOME SOAP AND TAKE A SEAT SOMEWHERE, BUT YOU CAN’T. What you need to do is find your self a doctor for your idioc brain of yours and get committed into the hospital!
Preach!
EmmaV’s Great-Grandaughter: He/she is a moron, they are a nobody and wishes to be a somebody but they can’t. There life is sad and desperate to fullfill his/her life to look good, she needs to see a mental doctor!!!
REST IN PARIDISE AALIYAH…… YOU WILL BE REMEMBERED AND NEVER FORGOTTEN MOMMAS. YOUR FANS REALLY WISH THAT U WERE STILL HERE, SO U COULD SHOW THESE NEW BOOTYS HOW TO REALLY DO IT….
R.I.P Aaliyah. A true beauty.
If Aaliyah was alive she definitely would be up there with Beyonce. A multi talented(singer, dancer actor) beautiful person. RIP.
I remember being in the Navy overseas. We stopped in Dubai, Bahrain. I was already kind of “Paranoid” being over there. I remember praying and asking God to protect us. Because, I didn’t want anything crazy to pop off. And, I heard Aaliyah’s song “We Need a Resolution” playing while were riding in the cab to the mall. It felt good to hear a familar voice being in a distant land. Especially, being from Detroit and being the same age as Aaliyah was. I started to feel better. But, still had an an uneasy feeling in the back of my head. Like something bad was going to happen. I thought it was because I’m homesick and thousand of miles away from home. But, when we got back to the base. My friend told us that Aaliyah had died? But, I didn’t believe him until we got to the base. And, the DJ announced it she had died and started playing her song. I couldn’t believe it. It was like my sister had died. I really felt like I knew her. We were born 7 months apart. I felt like we had grow up together. They had always played her songs back home in the D. It felt like a a piece of me had died with her. May even I had died with her. I’ve never really felt the same about music since she passed away. Two weeks prior I had grown to like her new cd. Then, a few weeks later September 11 happened. Then, a week after this I turned 22. It was like the worst time in my life and of my Navy career. This why you have to truly cherish God, your life, family and friends each day! Because, you never know what will happen. Make each moment count!
DAMN I MISS YOU AALIYAH,R.I.P
Miss you sooooooooo much. At first i didn t want to go back thru this and get emotional all over again. Can’ t nobody else touch your talent. Now i depressed:( Rest in Love!!!!!
Great memorial, they did a good job in remembering her life. They reflected on the right moments to remember her by.
There will never be another Aaliyah she is truly one in a million. Always admired her music and style.
Wow I expect more than hundred comments on this one I guess people still riding the beyonce boat wow!
AALIYAH WILL AND ALWAYS BE ON TOP OF EVERYONE I MIGHT NT HAVE MEAT HER IN PORSON OR GO TO ONE OF HER CONCURT BUT I LOVED ALL HER MUSIC THE WAY SHE WOULD BRING IT ON STAGE WHO DANCE MOVIES WHERE OF THE HOOK HER VOICE WAS THE GREATES SHE WAS AND STILL IS MY FAV SINGER SHE IS BEAUTIFUL AND GOD GANGED A ANGEL AND SO DID WE SHE WILL NEVER EVER BE REPLACED SO CIARA I LIKE U BUT AALIYAH IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE EVERYTHING SHE IS ONE IN A MILLION RIP AALIYAH I LOVE U::(( IT’S SAD THAT UR GONE BUT U AND UR MUSIC WILL LEAVE ON AND ON NO ONE CANT TAKE UR PLACE RIP ANGEL
She was greater than great. She was my first thruly singer witch i like since i came to America…. STILL NUMBER ONE IN MY MIND… OUR SUPREME GOD, BLESS HER AND HAVE HER IN HIS PRESENT.. NOW REST IN PEACE… THRULY I FAN ALWAYS BEEN… ONE IN A MILLION… I LOVE U…
Hello, Neat post. There’s an issue together with your website in web explorer, may test this? IE still is the market chief and a huge component to folks will leave out your great writing because of this problem.