Aaliyah Dana Haughton (January 16, 1979 – August 25, 2001), who performed under the mononym Aaliyah (pronounced /əˈliːə/), was an American recording artist, actress and model. Aaliyah was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was raised in Detroit, Michigan. At an early age,
Aaliyah appeared on the television show Star Search and performed in concert alongside Gladys Knight. At age 12, Aaliyah signed with Jive Records and Blackground Records by her uncle, Barry Hankerson. He introduced her to R. Kelly, who became her mentor, as well as lead songwriter and producer of her debut album, Age Ain't Nothing but a Number.
The album sold three million copies in the United States and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). After facing allegations of an illegal marriage with Kelly, Aaliyah ended her contract with Jive and signed to Atlantic Records.
Aaliyah worked with record producers Timbaland and Missy Elliott for her second album, One in a Million; it sold 3.7 million copies in the United States and over eight million copies worldwide. In 2000, Aaliyah appeared in her first major film, Romeo Must Die. Aaliyah contributed to the film's soundtrack, which spawned the single "Try Again".
The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 solely on airplay, making Aaliyah the first artist in Billboard history to achieve this feat. "Try Again" earned Aaliyah a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female R&B Vocalist. After completing Romeo Must Die, Aaliyah filmed her part in Queen of the Damned. She released her third and final album, Aaliyah, in July 2001.
On August 25, 2001, Aaliyah and eight others were killed in an airplane crash in The Bahamas after filming the music video for the single "Rock the Boat". The pilot, Luis Morales III, was unlicensed at the time of the accident and had traces of cocaine and alcohol in his system. Aaliyah's family later filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Blackhawk International Airways, which was settled out of court. Since then, Aaliyah's music has achieved commercial success with several posthumous releases. With album sales estimated to be between 24 to 32 million copies worldwide, Aaliyah has been credited for helping redefine R&B and hip hop, earning her the nickname "Princess of R&B".
Aaliyah Dana Haughton was born on January 16, 1979, in Brooklyn, New York. Born an African American of Native American descent, Aaliyah Dana Haughton was the second and younger child of Diane and Michael Haughton. Enrolled at a young age for voice lessons by her mother, Aaliyah would perform at weddings, church choir and charity events. When she was five years old, her family moved to Detroit, Michigan, where she was raised along with her older brother, Rashad. Aaliyah Dana Haughton attended a Catholic school, Gesu Elementary, where she received a part in the stage play Annie in first grade. From then on, she was determined to become an entertainer.
Aaliyah's mother was a vocalist, and her uncle, Barry Hankerson, was an entertainment lawyer who had been married to Gladys Knight. As a child,
Aaliyah traveled with Knight and worked with an agent in New York to audition for commercials and television programs, including Family Matters;
Aaliyah Dana Haughton went on to appear on Star Search at the age of nine. Aaliyah Dana Haughton then auditioned for several record labels and appeared in concerts alongside Knight at age 11.
Source URL: https://gbejadacosta.blogspot.com/2011/01/aaliyah-dana-haughton.htmlAaliyah traveled with Knight and worked with an agent in New York to audition for commercials and television programs, including Family Matters;
Aaliyah Dana Haughton went on to appear on Star Search at the age of nine. Aaliyah Dana Haughton then auditioned for several record labels and appeared in concerts alongside Knight at age 11.
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