Aaliyah died on August 21, 2001. How old was the singer in 2021? Here is a look back at the life and career of The Princess of R&B.
Aaliyah’s early life and rise to fame
Aaliyah Dana Haughton, also known by her nickname, Baby Girl, was born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Detroit, Michigan. Aaliyah’s talent for singing has been evident since she was a girl. When she was 10, she achieved her dream of becoming a professional singer and entered the talent show Star Search.
Aaliyah also honed her skills as an artist by singing alongside her aunt, Gladys Knight, who was married to music producer and entrepreneur Barry Hankerson at the time. Her parents helped cultivate her talent by enrolling her at Detroit College of Fine Arts and Performing Arts.
Aaliyah’s albums
In 1994, Aaliyah released her first album Age is nothing but a number. At the time, singer R. Kelly was his mentor, songwriter and main producer on the album. The album produced two hit singles, including “Back & Forth” and “At Your Best (You Are Love)”. Age is nothing but a number has been certified with double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
In 1996, Aaliyah released her second album, One in a million. The title track reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In 2001, she released her third and final studio album, Aaliyah. At the end of his music career, Aaliyah had four No. 1 hits and 12 songs appeared in the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Aaliyah Awards
Aaliyah was recognized with many honors and awards for her work during her short career. In 2000, she received the MTV Video Music Award for Best Video in a Film for the song “Try Again”. That year, she also won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video.
In 2002, Aaliyah won many awards posthumously. They include a 2002 American Music Award for Soul / R & B Album favorite by Aaliyahand a 2002 World Music Award for the World’s Best-Selling Female R&B. Aaliyah was also honored with the NAACP Image Award for Best Female Artist.
Aaliyah in ‘Romeo Must Die’ and ‘Queen of the Damned’
Aaliyah appeared on the scene of the film when she appeared in Romeo must die, alongside actor Jet Li in 2000. She played the character Trish O’Day. Aaliyah then played Queen Akasha in her second film, Queen of the Damned, in 2002.
Although Aaliyah finished filming his scenes for the film, some of his lines had to be refolded. During an interview with the CBS Early Show, his brother, Rashad, explained how he helped to record the lines after his death.
How Aaliyah died?
Aaliyah died in a plane crash in the Bahamas. She was returning home after recording a music video for the song “Rock the Boat”. Five people on the flight, including Aaliyah and the pilot, died instantly. Three others survived, but died shortly afterwards.
How old would Aaliyah be in 2021?
Aaliyah, born on January 16, 1979, would have turned 42 this year. During a 2001 interview, radio presenter Janet G. said The New York Times that Aaliyah left her hometown, Detroit, proudly.
“Everyone here knows about our great musical history,” said Janet G. “But Motown has moved on and nothing has come to replace it. But then Aaliyah came. She put Detroit’s pride back on a national level. “
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