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. Her third album, Aaliyah, was released in July 2001 and reached No. And [she] wasn't even so resentful," he claimed (viaIndependent), referring to other allegations made against Kelly. Helmed by the well-known pop producer Timbaland and featuring rap performer Missy Elliott, One in a Million portrayed the 17-year-old singer as a sultry hip-hop chanteuse with a self-confidence well beyond her years. Aaliyah and six of the eight others on board were killed instantly. Aaliyah, the talented '90s hip hop and R&B artist, died in a plane crash in 2001. Twenty years after her tragic death, here's what you never knew about Aaliyah. In 2016, The Wrap reported that a clothing line featuring images of the late star was hit with a copyright lawsuit from a photographer who claimed his photo was used on an item without their permission. The pilot of the doomed flight, who was not qualified to fly the plane, was also found to have traces of cocaine and alcohol in his body. Rashad Haughton)", "JANET, MISSY, OTHERS HONOR AALIYAH DURING VMAS; JACKSON READS LETTER SUBMITTED TO MTV.COM BY FAN; AALIYAH'S BROTHER THANKS FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES WHO OFFERED CONDOLENCES", "Aaliyah's brother onstage at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards", "Third Eye Blind, Seal, Liz Phair Rock For Breathe Breast Cancer Benefit", "FOURTH ANNUAL HOLLYWOOD BLACK FILM FESTIVAL", "Rashad Haughton, brother of singer Aaliyah, accepts the award for Outstanding Female Artist on behalf of his late sister at the 33rd NAACP Image Awards at the Universal Amphitheater in Universal City, California, February 23", "We Just Caught a First-Look at the MAC x Aaliyah Makeup Collection", "Why Aaliyah for M.A.C. However, the Editor-in-chief at the time, Col Allan, disagreed and claimed Dreher "had a right to express an opinion.". Aaliyah Dana Houghton was just 22 when she died. Prosecutors said he concocted a multiyear scheme to hide millions of dollars in income from the IRS and get around nearly $2 million in tax liabilities. Earls music inspired countless fans across the world and his iconic legacy will live on forever," his family said in a statement Friday. Celebrity makeup artist Eric Ferrell was the mastermind behind late R&B legend Aaliyah s signature face. It's Been 20 Years Since R&B Singer Aaliyah Died In A Plane Crash On Aug. 25, 2001, a small plane crashed and burst into flames shortly after takeoff from an At the height of her stardom, a fatal plane crash ended her life. All Rights Reserved. Those four days were very beautiful for everyone, he told MTV. 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. appreciated. We all worked together as a family. 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.. Often dubbed 'The Princess of R&B', the 22-year-old was said to "have a smile that would light up a room". Her given name is derived from the Arabic Ali, which translated to highest or most exalted one. Aaliyah was naturally drawn to performing, which her vocalist mother, Diane, wisely noted by enrolling her in voice lessons as a child. He added, that "even with the pain [he] felt" following her tragic death, he "would do it all over again.". 8. At what age did Aaliyah die? Her body was found 20 feet from the wreckage. HARRIS: You can see her influence in everything from Drake to Syd to Normani. Aaliyah Rapper DMX, whose real name was Earl Simmons, died a week after suffering what his family said was a "catastrophic heart attack." Given how many artists have tried to emulate Aaliyah, often without given her proper credit, King said, hes not surprised that a new generation of fans have gravitated to her music and want to know more about the singer. DMX pleaded guilty in 2004 after heposed as an undercover federal agent and crashed his SUV through a security gate at John F. Kennedy International Airport. [17][18][19][20], On October 27, 2001, Aaliyah was scheduled to perform a duet with Seal at Breathe, a benefit concert for breast cancer treatment and research. He told the crowd, "I'm outraged, and I think all decent people are outraged. Per ABC News, one of the biggest happened in Detroit (her hometown) where hundreds of mourners turned out to pay their respects. It was also reported (via Urbo) that traces of cocaine and alcohol were found in the body of the late pilot and he was not licensed to fly that particular model of aircraft. 1 on the R&B charts, was a pop crossover hit, and earned Aaliyah her first Grammy Award nomination. According to CR, she wanted to start her own clothing line before her death and was supposedly on the brink of starting a Japanese-inspired clothing line. Discovery Company. [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. His longtime lawyer, Murray Richman, has said a cause remains under investigation. Singer Aaliyah passed away on Saturday August 25, 2001 in a horror plane crash (Image: Getty Images) The group had reportedly been anxious to get going so that they could land in Miami for the evening, after the plane was later arriving on Abaco island. August 25 is a tough day every year for celebrity stylist Derek Lee. Copyright 2021 NPR. Sadly for Aaliyah and her closest friends and family, she wasn't even able to be laid to rest in peace. Aaliyah Haughtons life was tragically cut short 20 years ago, but the Princess of R&B is still on top of music charts, headlines, and hearts, today. Instead, Haughton presented But at the last minute, a member of her entourage gave her a sedative to help her fall asleep then carried her unconscious body onboard minutes before takeoff. She should still be here, and I think that's the saddest part about it. He then recalled a time she made her beliefs very clear during an incident on the set of her 2000 movie "Romeo Must Die." 2. He starred in the 1998 film Belly and appeared in 2000s Romeo Must Die with Jet Li and Aaliyah. As Ferrell wrote, "She once very forcefully checked a fellow actor who was continually taunting a gay crew member on the set of Romeo because the man was flamboyant," adding that Aaliyah supposedly "set him straight and made him apologize in front of the entire crew.". The family said they would share information on memorial services for him once the details are finalized. 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. Only in 2002 did Morales toxicology report reveal he also had cocaine and alcohol in his blood. Pathologists would later confirm that the singer died from severe burns and a blow to the head. Haughton is the older brother of American singer and actress Aaliyah and nephew of Blackground Records founder Barry Hankerson. RIP DMX. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. How high would her star have risen? DMX released seven albums, earned three Grammy nominations and was named favorite rap/hip-hop artist at the 2000 American Music Awards over the course of his storied musical career. CNN . And when Aaliyah saw the size of the plane she then refused to board it, he recounts in the book. It was an unexpected death. During 1994 it was widely reported Kelly and Aaliyah had secretly married, but both denied it. Singer and actress Aaliyah Dana Haughton was born on January 16, 1979, in Brooklyn, New York. She then traveled to the Abaco Islands with her production crew to finish the video. She had finished filming the music video for her hit song 'Rock the Boat' when she and eight others decided to travel back to Florida almost immediately on August 25 2001. They were all part of rap crews, too: DMX fronted the Ruff Ryders collective, which helped launch the careers of Grammy winners Eve andSwizz Beatz. Writer Iandoli said the singer deserves acclaim, given her influence on the industry and ability to comfortably blend musical genres. Did you encounter any technical issues? I felt like the world needed a book that detailed her beginnings and how for 20 years thereafter, shes still a force, Iandoli said. Her next soundtrack effort, "Are You That Somebody?" The tragic passing of DMX led many on social media to invoke the memory of Aaliyah and the special friendship the two icons had. A Warner Bros. Back then, she was a multiplatinum recording artist just embarking on an acting career. Aaliyah arriving at MTV's 20th anniversary event in 2001. Even her fashion influence is still evident the "Tomboy Chic" esthetic she popularized routinely resurfaces as a fashion trend, per Lunch with a Girlfriend. Her tragic death, coming hours after she completed filming the music video for her single Rock the Boat in which she floats in the ocean like an ethereal angel, left His distinctively gruff voice and thoughtful messages in his rhymes quickly made him one of raps biggest stars. She also performed the song for the Oscar telecast in 1998. Watch Aaliyah: Princess of R&B on Lifetime Movie Club. She would have been 43 years old this year. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much His gift meant so much to so many. Scroll through the gallery to see some of her best looks from the 1990s and early 2000s. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Good soul. Aaliyah at the 2001 Essence Awards in New York City. For other inquiries, Contact Us. 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. She reportedly even signed a contract to appear in The Matrix sequels but tragically never would. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Aaliyah Crash Pilot Was On Cocaine. Aaliyah began auditioning for television shows while still in middle school and appeared on the popular Star Search talent program when she was 11 years old. Biography - A Short WikiMost well known as the father of late R&B singer Aaliyah and filmmaker Rashad Haughton. The next day, she filmed aboard a boat with several dancers. 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. Notably, Aaliyah's family also did not approve of the movie and didn't allow the filmmakers the right to include Aaliyah's music. Reflecting on her life, Sean 'P Diddy' Combs told TRL: "She was one of those individuals that would light up a room. Aaliyah Dana Houghton was just 22 when she died. "You always have to deal with people who are jealous, but there were so few it didn't even matter," she said while sharing her experience with bullies before finding fame. The two are believed to have gotten legally married when she was only 15 and he was 27 after meeting when Aaliyah was just 12 years old. She had finished filming the music video for her hit song 'Rock the Boat' Aaliyah and seven other people, including the pilot, were believed to have died instantly, while a ninth passenger died later at a Bahamian hospital. In the end,Aaliyah worked with producer Timbaland and Missy Elliott, who were relativelyunknown at the time, but have since gone on to become household names. "It's an unfortunate closure but I needed to hear she didn't want to get on that plane; I needed to know that. [The airport staff] and Aaliyah had the common sense that the plane was overweight, Russellsays in the book, as reported by the Beast. She was a very happy person, Hype Williams told MTV. 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. If anything, it has intensified as her catalog of music has been recently added to streaming services, something fans have long been clamoring for. I pray for the comfort of your children and loved ones. In addition, Marsh Harbor airport employees claimed that they along with the pilot, Luis Morales complained about the excess weight but were ignored. Biography and associated logos are trademarks of A+E Networksprotected in the US and other countries around the globe. I dont know if her fans know that about her.. It was later found that the small twin-engine plane had exceeded its maximum weight limit by several hundred pounds. Hankerson sold his stake in the company, which meant Aaliyah's music fell into somewhat of a musical limbo. Nobody heeded Morales warning that the plane was overloaded, leading to Aaliyahs death. Those people are invisible to me,"she said. She was a sweet, sweet girl. Mario Tama/Getty ImagesFans watching R&B singer Aaliyahs funeral procession towards St. Ignatius Loyola Church. Affectionately referred to as the Princess of R&B thanks to her multiple hits that attracted fans to the genre she got her start on "Star Search"as a child in 1989 when she performed a stunning rendition of "My Funny Valentine." What was Aaliyah's cause of death? But, as first reported by The Daily Beast, a Bahamian man who had been with the popstar just moments before her death has claimed that was not the case. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. She died on August 25, 2001, in Marsh Harbour, The Bahamas. He loved his family with all of his heart and we cherish the times we spent with him. Investigators believe Aaliyah died instantly in the crash. Celebrities Share Prayers for DMX Following Rapper's Heart Attack, DMX Remains in Coma, Will Undergo Brain Function Tests: Manager, Prayer Vigil Held Outside NY Hospital for Rapper DMX, Viral Kids' Star Ms. Rachel Is Taking a Break From Social Media After Backlash Over Co-Star Who Uses They/Them Pronouns, Fight for NY Casino License Heats Up as Developers Drop Coney Island Boardwalk First Look, NYC Rapper Indicted in Long Island Mansion Shooting, Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Flight Attendant Hit the Ceiling': 7 Hospitalized After Severe Turbulence Diverts Flight to Virginia, Rapper DMX has died at the age of 50, his family said Friday; he had been hospitalized since April 2 after suffering a heart attack, An autopsy will be conducted to confirm his cause of death; DMX has long struggled with drug addiction.