One late Saturday afternoon, just two weeks before her death, twenty-two-year-old Aaliyah walked from a black Mercedes-Benz to a small helicopter for a short flight from New Jersey to East Hampton, New York. She wore a dark-green hoodie and matching shorts so small they showed off most of her long, curvy legs, down to the little treble-clef tattoo on her right ankle. She wore all-white Nike Air Force Ones with white socks. Around her neck hung a small Roc-a-Fella pendant. In her left arm she clutched a large, fluffy pillow in a black pillowcase. On Sunday, she slept hours longer than everyone else, on a bed strewn with rose petals.

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Who Was Aaliyah?
We and our partners use cookies to personalize your experience, to show you ads based on your interests, and for measurement and analytics purposes. By using our website and our services, you agree to our use of cookies as described in our Cookie Policy. Following a successful transition to a more mature image, Aaliyah played a major role in popularizing the stuttering, futuristic production style that consumed hip-hop and urban soul in the late '90s. Aaliyah's death came on the heels of her third and most accomplished album, making it especially unfortunate that she was robbed of a chance to continue her creative development. Aaliyah Dana Haughton was born January 16, , in Brooklyn, and named after a Swahili word meaning "most exalted one. Still very young, she moved with her family to Detroit, where she sang in several school plays.
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Born in Brooklyn and raised in Detroit , she first gained recognition at the age of 10, when she appeared on the television show Star Search and performed in concert alongside Gladys Knight. Hankerson 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. After facing allegations of an illegal marriage with Kelly, Aaliyah ended her contract with Jive and signed with Atlantic Records.
When considering Aaliyah's track record, it's befitting that her name means "The highest, most exalted one, the best. Her success as both a recording artist and actress actually makes the name of a self-fulfilling prophecy. Aaliyah made her dreams come true. At 22, she not only had a very successful recording career but also established herself as a motion picture actress and an accomplished business woman In her precious 22 years, Aaliyah achieved more than many do in several lifetimes An illuminating factor was her conviction to touch and help others.