Later that same year, she performed with R&B legend .css-47aoac{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#A00000;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-47aoac:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}Gladys Knight, the former wife of her uncle and manager, Barry Hankerson, at a five-night stand in Las Vegas. The family said they would share information on memorial services for him once the details are finalized. I dont know if anyone really understands that about her. Signed to a recording contract at the age of 12, Aaliyah became an overnight R&B sensation. The late star has been the subject of multiple documentaries and biopics, with Timbaland describing Lifetime's 2014 movie, "Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B," as being "disrespectful." The crowd called DMX! He was the husband of Diane Haughton. On Aug. 25, 2001, a small plane crashed and burst into flames shortly after takeoff from an island in the Bahamas. On board was R&B singer Aaliyah Dana Haughton, commonly known as Aaliyah. Twenty years ago, on August 25, 2001, a small Cessna plane crashed. It burst into flames shortly after takeoff from the Abaco Islands in the Bahamas. Steven Greenberg, Kelly's lawyer, said of his and Aaliyah's relationship during a 2019 interview with Good Morning America, "My understanding is that she did not claim to be 15, and in order to get married, she had to lie about her age." According to her cousin Jomo Hankerson, Aaliyah was "villainized" for their relationship. UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: A breaking story out of the Bahamas tonight. Inside The Grisly Murder Of Samantha Koenig And The Horrifying 'Ransom' Photo Her Killer Took, Meet The Slow Loris, The Adorable Primate On The Brink of Extinction, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. Reflecting on her life, Sean 'P Diddy' Combs told TRL: "She was one of those individuals that would light up a room. Kingsley Russell, who was 13 at the time, had been working for his family's taxi and hospitality business when he was asked to work as a baggage carrier for the singer. Along with the MAC collection, MAC and i-D Magazine partnered up to release a short film titled "A-Z of Aaliyah" which coincided with the launch. Tragically, Aaliyah was killed on August 25, 2001, when a small Cessna passenger plane carrying the singer and her video crew crashed and burst into flames shortly after takeoff from Abaco Island in the Bahamas, where they had just completed work on a video. Aaliyah died on impact when her plane crashed just a minute after takeoff. On Aug. 24, Aaliyah and the crew awoke before dawn to film scenes. It was initially suggested that Aaliyah, a known nervous flier, had insisted on boarding the plane back to Miami. The 22-year-old, complaining she had a headache, then climbed back into the taxi van and laid down on the back seat for a quick nap. The star's funeral took place in New York City on August 31, 2001 and saw a hearse drawn by horses lead her body through the streets of the Upper East Side. John Frank, the executive director of the Cessna Pilots Association, said the way Aaliyah's team distributed the extra weight was problematic. Rock Icon KISS Is Saying Goodbye (For Real), sultry teen singer had married the 27-year-old Kelly, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads, Name: Aaliyah, Birth Year: 1979, Birth date: January 16, 1979, Birth State: New York, Birth City: New York, Birth Country: United States. R Kelly's brother Carey confirmed that the pair had married when she was 15. She then traveled to the Abaco Islands with her production crew to finish the video. Instead, Haughton presented "When you start talking about control, weight doesn't matter so much, although it makes it harder to fly Control is based on where the weight is placed." The rapper said he suffered from asthma. She got her first Grammy nod in 1998 and then became a bonafide movie star with Romeo Must Die and The Queen of the Damned. Pathologists would later confirm that the singer died from severe burns and a blow to the head. In May 2002, Aaliyah's parents filed a negligence lawsuit against operator Blackhawk International Airways Corp., Skystream Inc. and Gilbert Chacon, and Atlantic Flight Group. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. The last day, Saturday, was one of the best Ive had in this business. I pray for the comfort of your children and loved ones. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. That sort of tough girl, sweet girl mix.. INSKEEP: Her second album was "One In A Million," which was how many of her fans regarded her. He claimed he believed Aaliyah would have not have supported the Trump administration and revealed how she stood up against injustice, particularly aimed at the LGBTQ+ community. The singer and actress was 22 years old when the plane she was traveling on crashed soon after takeoff from the Bahamas on August 25, 2001, killing her and eight others aboard. Aaliyahs death was ultimately ruled accidental. Earl Simmons passed away peacefully with family present after suffering a catastrophic cardiac arrest.". and more flooded social media feeds Friday upon news of his death. Ultimately, all that remained were memories, all of which were fond. We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right,contact us! Michael Haughton died from Kidney Disease. Haughton graduated from Aquinas High School in 1995 and Hofstra University in 2000. The aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Her next soundtrack effort, "Are You That Somebody?" At the height of her stardom, a fatal plane crash ended her life. In 2004, Haughton was featured on "Fork In The Road" (with 1200 Techniques), which peaked at number 55 on Australian Charts. 1994 - Present: Acting, writing and directing, UK Official Hip Hop and R&B Albums Chart Top 40, "Aaliyah's Parents Diane & Michael Haughton", "Vibe Magazine's Emil Wilbekin: Remembering Aaliyah", "Aaliyah Week: How 'One In A Million' Pushed The Envelope Of R&B", "This Day in Horror: QUEEN OF THE DAMNED Was Released in 2002", "1200 Techniques "Fork In The Road" (feat. DMX. Aaliyah performing on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on April 26, 2000. At what age did Aaliyah die? In the wake of her passing, Aaliyah's name was attached to a number of fashion brands, one of which, unfortunately, caused controversy. "It was like something was going down in history every time I was with her. Good girl. Aaliyah's self-titled third album was released in July 2001 and initially reached number two on the Billboard Top 200. The fact that she brought so much style and flair and flavor into hip hop and into R&B, then the fact that she was able to meander between those worlds seamlessly.. Though Aaliyah saw a lot of success while she was alive, much of her impact on the music scene and beyond was actually made after her death meaning she sadly never got to see it. @OnDisasters/TwitterThe Cessna 402 crashed shortly after takeoff. Signed to his label at 12 years of age, she released her debut at 15 and became a star. In an Instagram post, his team said he apologized for the canceled shows and thanked his fans for the continued support. Before its release, Haughton was called in to re-dub several of his sister's lines during the post-production ADR process.[10][11][12]. But despite being one of the biggest stars in the world, Aaliyah's short life and the years that followed were unfortunately filled with tragedy. Kelly was accused in court of allegedly obtaining a fake ID for Aaliyah that claimed she was 18 (viaThe New York Times) and has also been accused of sexual assault against multiple others. An inquest heard the singer had suffered 'severe burns and a blow to the head' as the result of a fatal plane crash. Despite having such a short musical life, Aaliyah produced a number of hit songs. Accuracy and availability may vary. In a separate statement, White Plains Hospital extended its "deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Simmons, as well as his friends and legions of fans who expressed their unwavering support during this difficult time. He credits her continued appeal to her talent and curiosity about her potential., What she could have been, he said. In a tweet addressed to Aaliyah's "loyal fans," her team confirmed "that communication has commenced between the estate and various record labels about the status of Aaliyah's music catalog, as well as its availability on streaming platforms in the near future." Those four days were very beautiful for everyone, he told MTV. Six days after Aaliyah died, her funeral was held on Aug. 31, 2001, at the Church of St. Ignatius in Loyola in Manhattan. In 2020, the star's former hairstylist and makeup artist Eric Ferrell revealed that the late star was outspoken about her views and wasn't afraid to stand up for her beliefs. It was later found that the small twin-engine plane had exceeded its maximum weight limit by several hundred pounds. Acolumnist for the New York Post, Rod Dreher, suggested the funeral was "too much" and controversially described the late Aaliyah as an "undistinguished singer of forgettable pop songs," while calling her funeral a "tasteless gesture. [29][30][31] One In A Million was reissued on August 20, 2021[32][33][34] and re-entered the UK Official Hip Hop and R&B Albums Chart Top 40 at number eight[35] and reached the top ten for on the Billboard 200 in the US for the first time at number ten, selling 26,000 album-equivalent units in the week ending of August 26. Fans watching R&B singer Aaliyahs funeral procession towards St. Ignatius Loyola Church. Aaliyah during Urban Aid benefit concert in New York City. Scroll through the gallery to see some of her best looks from the 1990s and early 2000s. The multiplatinum-selling album was anchored by several hits including Ruff Ryders Anthem, Get At Me Dog, Stop Being Greedy and How Its Goin Down., He followed up with four straight chart-topping albums including And Then There Was X, Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood, The Great Depression and Grand Champ.. "She never wanted to look too far away from achievable for any girl on the street," said Aaliyah's stylist, Derek Lee. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Everyone felt part of something special, part of her song.. .css-m6thd4{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-family:Gilroy,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2;font-weight:bold;color:#323232;text-transform:capitalize;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-m6thd4:hover{color:link-hover;}}Rock Icon KISS Is Saying Goodbye (For Real), Rihanna and 10 Other Great Pregnant Performances, Burt Bacharachs Legacy: 5 Notable Collaborations, 2023 Grammy Awards: Six Winners Who Made History. Aaliyah died in a horrifically tragic way Shutterstock One of the most tragic parts of Aaliyah's life was how short it was cut suddenly and in a horrific way. Singer and actress Aaliyah Dana Haughton was born on January 16, 1979, in Brooklyn, New York. It was produced by Timbaland. Her uncle managed to have Aaliyah perform alongside Gladys Knight for five nights in Las Vegas when she was 12 and signed her to his Blackground Records label in 1991, according to The Independent. Copyright 2021 NPR. Aaliyah has also inspired a number of other ranges, including a streetwear collection launched in 2017. Dash also shares sons with his former girlfriends Linda Williams and Cindy Morales. Kelly went on to become her mentor, as well as lead songwriter and producer of her debut album, Age Ain't Nothing but a Number. Determined to be a star, she signed a contract with Jive Records at the age of 12 and came to popular acclaim in 1994. "So they would try and change her style.". 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. During the exchange, Russell says the singer reiterated that she didn't want to get on the small plane and that she wasn't feeling well. The Chicago-Sun Times reported that the marriage was annulled the following year when Aaliyahs family learned of it. Aaliyah cut ties with Kelly after the accusations of illegal marriage. Richman would not confirm previous reports that an overdose may have contributed to his heart attack. [3][4] He and his younger sister Aaliyah (1979-2001) were born 17 months apart. Aaliyah was unstoppable in the few short years before her death. How did he die? She ultimately found healthier mentors in Timbaland and Missy Elliott, who produced her follow-up album in 1996. If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Despite the R&B label,Aaliyah was unique and didn't fit any genre. Aaliyah's body was found 20 feet away from the wreckage. At the time of Aaliyahs death in a plane crash, the 22-year-old was busier than ever before and living her pop star dreams. WebAt a 2003 inquest, a pathologist testified that Aaliyah was killed from severe burns and head trauma, all of which pushed her into such a state of shock that recovery would have been impossible. Is So Important, According to Rashad Haughton", "Aaliyah to be Honored With Wax Figure at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas", "Aaliyah's Brother Unveils New Wax Figure of the Late Singer at Madame Tussauds; The unveiling comes days before the 18th anniversary of the plane crash that claimed Aaliyah's life", "Exclusive: Aaliyah's Madame Tussauds Wax Figure Channels "Try Again" Era", "Aaliyah's Estate Slams Her Uncle's 'Unauthorized' Announcement of Releasing Her Music To Streaming Platforms", "Aaliyah estate denounces upcoming 'unauthorized projects' as 'Blackground 2.0' emerges", "Aaliyah albums streaming: 'Her influence is absolutely everywhere', "Aaliyah's One in a Million Arrives to Streaming Amid Dispute Between Label and Estate", "Stream Aaliyah's 'One in a Million' Album", "Official Hip Hop and R&B Albums Chart Top 40, 27 August 2021 - 02 September 2021", "Olivia Rodrigo's 'Sour' Returns to No. She added that "the majority of kids"she went to school with were supportive of her, which she called "wonderful," but admitted she'd learned not to let the nasty comments get to her. That trademark raspy delivery that was often paired with growls, barks and What! as an ad-lib in his music. He passed away in 2012 from cancer and was buried alongside his daughter. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much But it wasn't just in the music world where Aaliyah made serious waves and grabbed attention. Aaliyah died on Aug. 25, 2001, which was 20 years ago today, in a plane crash in the Bahamas. As well as her huge potential in the music world, Aaliyah could have used her voice for good and made a big impact on the social issues the world is still tackling. For one, the Cessna 402B plane's weight exceeded the limit by approximately 805 pounds even without including the weight of the nine passengers, which included a 300-pound bodyguard. In 2010, he was sentenced to a year in prison for violating terms of his probation. When production started on the "4 Page Letter" video, Haughton completed the video synopsis within two hours, fitting it in between his studies at Hofstra University. But for those who admire Aaliyah, Wednesday is about celebrating the woman known to friends, family and her audience as Baby Girl.. I dont know if her fans know that about her.. [7][8], In 2000, Haughton wrote and directed The Mim Rose. It was reported that the late singer experienced mean girls in middle school and shared some advice on how she dealt with the hateful comments. After he was admitted to rehab numerous times over the next year, he said he had finally beat his drug addiction. On November 17, 2003, pathologist Dr. Giovander Raju stated at the corner's inquest that the "One in a Million" singer died of severe burns and a blow to the head. We will never know the heights she may have accomplished. The producer slammed the production in multiple messages and memes on his Instagram page in November 2014, per BBC. Indeed, she had just released her third album, Aaliyah, weeks before her passing. This didn't have to happen. [23], On August 24, 2017, MAC Cosmetics announced that an Aaliyah collection would be made available in the summer of 2018. [36] After the album's re-release, Aaliyah re-entered the UK Official Hip Hop and R&B Albums Chart Top 40 at number seven[37] and reentered the US Billboard 200 chart at number 13, charting at number four for high pure sales. Aaliyah died in a plane crash on August 25, 2001. Writer Iandoli said the singer deserves acclaim, given her influence on the industry and ability to comfortably blend musical genres. The album garnered favorable reviews and sold two million copies. She was extremely relatable and I think thats what this next generation is identifying with, the relatability, he said. 2. Why the aircraft was cleared to take off in the first place has largely remained a mystery since the devastating crash almost two decades ago. [Aaliyah was] brought up in the old school. Her first two albums, "Age Ain't Nothing but a Number" and "One in a Million," saw moderate success on the Billboard Top 200, with both reaching a peak position of 18 (via Billboard), but it wasn't until after her death that she got her first number one album. The video was directed by Daniel Pearl. She was a very happy person, Hype Williams told MTV. [21], On February 10, 2002, at the Hollywood Black Film Festival's closing night, Haughton accepted the Inspirational Spirit Award given to Aaliyah posthumously for her lifetime of excellence in entertainment. [22] On February 23, 2002, Haughton accepted the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Female Artist on Aaliyah's behalf. In 2003, they reached an undisclosed settlement (viaBillboard), though, of course, no amount of money could ever bring the star back. She had some swag, she had a fan base and she touched people as well. "Talking about your problem is usually (seen as) a sign of weakness, but it's one of the bravest things you can do," he said. She had these incredible, graceful qualities as a person. [26][27][28], In August 2021, it was reported that the One in a Million album and Aaliyah's other recorded work with Blackground (since rebranded as Blackground Records 2.0) would be re-released on physical, digital, and streaming services in a deal between the record label and Empire Distribution. In 2003, a pathologist testified at a Nassau coroners inquest that she was killed from severe burns and head A groundbreaking R&B singer, Aaliyah had grown up determined to be a star and took voice lessons and auditioned for television shows as a child. for 1998's Dr. Dolittle, starring Eddie Murphy, went to No. She had nothing but love to give to others and she selflessly shared much of who she was. Instead, Haughton presented the $41,000 check and introduced a tribute performance to Aaliyah by Seal. The rapper would later open Aaliyahs tribute music video, Miss You, alongside her other friends and collaborators, including Missy Elliott, Lil Kim and Queen Latifah, after Aaliyahs 2001 death in a plane crash at age 22. According to a screenshot shared by Instagram user @aaliyah_archivesin June 2020, Ferrell claimed in an Instagram comment that Aaliyah "had very strong opinions about social issues" and was "very much a committed ally to the LGBTQ community." That beautiful memory was followed by one of the most tragic accidents in modern music history when Aaliyah finished shooting her scenes one day earlier than scheduled on Aug. 25, 2001. Aaliyah Dana Houghton was just 22 when she died. Gladys Knight was her aunt through marriage, Aaliyah's controversial relationship with R&B singer R. Kelly, accused of sexual assault against multiple others, Damon Dash, accused Kelly of abusing the singer. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. The ceremony also saw 22 white doves released in tribute to her. She would walk into a room, and you would feel her light. Never heard of anything with regard to heart attack, except hearing that it was indicated on the autopsy that mentioned she "had a weak heart." His message of triumph over struggle, his search for the light out of darkness, his pursuit of truth and grace brought us closer to our own humanity, his record label, Def Jam Recordings, said in a statement describing him as nothing less than a giant., Prayers up for my brother DMX . She was cast in a stage play adaptation of Annie in first grade. Some of those closest to Aaliyah believe the star and her legacy have been exploited following her death. It's said that she had a very difficult time getting her second album, "One In A Million," off the ground following her relationship with R. Kelly. "We appreciate all of the love and support during this incredibly difficult time. In addition to appearing in the 2000 movie "Romeo Must Die"and 2002's "Queen of the Damned,"CR reported she was offered a role in the 2001 movie Get Over It which eventually went to Zoe Saldana. Though she went on to be one of the most adored stars in the world, Aaliyah had to deal with bullies growing up. Aaliyah arriving at MTV's 20th anniversary event in 2001. Biography - A Short WikiMost well known as the father of late R&B singer Aaliyah and filmmaker Rashad Haughton. "I remember when Aaliyah passed away, I was really upset," Iandoli said toThe Daily Beast. AALIYAH: (Singing) The time has finally come to save my beats with the funky hip-hop swing - the funky swing I might add - oh, check it. I felt like the world needed a book that detailed her beginnings and how for 20 years thereafter, shes still a force, Iandoli said. She had finished filming the music video for her hit song 'Rock the Boat' While she publicly downplayed their fresh relationship as platonic, Dash later told MTV that they had seriously discussed getting married. But shortly after take-off, the plane crashed in Abaco Islands, the Bahamas. Did you encounter any technical issues? Aaliyah and six of the eight others on board were killed instantly. Aaliyah gained even more recognition in 1997 when she recorded "Journey to the Past," the Academy Award-nominated theme song to the animated feature Anastasia. She also earned a Grammy nomination for one of its singles, "Try Again.".