Aaliyah was also known in real life as Aaliyah Dana Haughton was born in Brooklyn, New York on 16th January 1979. Aaliyah was an American singer and songwriter. She was raised in Detroit, Michigan. At age 11, Aaliyah became victorious from the television competition ‘Star Search’.
Within the same year, she had the golden opportunity to perform with Gladys Knight, the R&B singer, the ex-wife of her uncle and manager, Barry Hankerson, during a five-night stand in Las Vegas.
How Did Aaliyah Die?
Aaliyah died in a fatal passenger plane crash. The plane which was conveying Aaliyah and her crew crashed and ablaze shortly after it had taken off from Abaco Island in the Bahamas after they were just done with the music video they were working on. Aaliyah reportedly died instantly during the plane crash on 25th August, 2001.
The Cessna passenger plane was heading for Miami, Florida when it caught fire; the pilot, seven other crew and the singer died instantly. Aaliyah died at the age of 22.
Education
Aaliyah attended Detroit High School for the Fine & Performing Arts and graduated in the year 1997. She was a student in the dance program. The singer also attended a Catholic school, ‘Gesu Elementary,’ where she was cast to play a role in a stage play titled ‘Annie’.
Relationship
Aaliyah’s relationship/wedded life with the singer, R Kelly was nothing but a rumour. Neither the singer nor Aaliyah have publicly confirmed the claim till her passage. Aaliyah was publicly known to be in a relationship with Damon Dash, co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Records when she met her untimely death.
Career
Aaliyah is best known for her first album ‘Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number’. The album did so well in the market. It sold about 3 million copies in the United States. Even though, the singer began her career at a very younger age with her mother’s help and also Gladys Knights’ warming abode. Later on, her second album was also a massive success. At the time of these hot releases, Aaliyah became one of the most sought after and hottest youth singers in the 1990s.
It is no doubt that the singer had inherited the talent from her mother who also happened to be a vocalist. At a younger age, she had the opportunity to perform with the legendary singer Gladys Knight who was also a close relative. Gladys Knight also played a major role in the upbringing of Aaliyah musically.
Aaliyah, even at the tender age, travelled with Gladys Knights for tours and performances. Aaliyah also auditioned for several commercials and television programs.
At the age of 12, Aaliyah was signed onto ‘Jive Records’ and later on, signed by the ‘Blackground Records’ which was owned by her uncle, Barry Hankerson. After her career started to boom, she ventured into films.
She played a role as an actress in Romeo Must Die which starred the legendary Jet Li. She also played the role of the executive producer for the film’s soundtrack. She added 4 solid songs to the collection. She has contributed greatly to the world of music and has also influenced many young black women into music.
How Old Is Aaliyah?
Aaliyah was just 22 years of age when she passed away in a plane crash together with the pilot and her crew.
Aaliyah and R Kelly
Factually, the relationship between Aaliyah and R Kelly was not a big deal. Nothing happened between the two R&B singers. All speculations about their illegal wedding were not true.