|
Since exploding on to the music scene
in 1994 with her debut single Back and Forth, which
claimed the top spot of Billboard's R&B Singles
chart, Aaliyah has always led the pack with her
cutting edge style in music.
Aaliyah Dana Haughton was born January 16, 1979 in
Brooklyn, New York. At age five, her family
transported from Brooklyn and settled in Detroit,
Michigan, where Aaliyah spent most of her young and
teenage years. Growing up, Miss Haughton did a lot
of singing, thanks in part to her parents who
introduce the young singer to the many different
styles of music. However, she did not realize her
full potential until the age of six years old, when
she auditioned for a role in her elementary school
play of Annie.
Although Aaliyah only played a small role (she was a
young orphan) this event did spark her interest in
becoming a singer and set her on her road to
stardom. But this road was tough, and like many
other young artist starting out, Aaliyah had to
first pay her dues. She began auditioning and
performing all over Detroit, hoping that someone
would sign her and give her her first break. At age
ten, she got that break when she hit the famous Star
Search stage performing her own rendition of Chaka
Khan's
My Funny Valentine. Although Aaliyah did not win the
competition, she would look back and remember it as
a real learning experience. Her next big show was at
the age of 11, when young Aaliyah got an opportunity
to sing with Gladys Knight's troupe on a Las Vegas
stage, an experience that Aaliyah will always
remember fondly of. Aaliyah's introduction to
producer/singer R. Kelly marked a major turning
point in her career (R. Kelly was introduced to
Aaliyah via her uncle, Barry Hankerson, who was also
R. Kelly's manager at the time). From there, R.
Kelly helped Aaliyah craft an impressive debut
album, Age Ain't Nothing But a Number. An album that
would transpose the young unknown from Detroit to an
international star. Age,which yield two gold singles
and a platinum album, set record labels scrambling
to find their versions of young, talented singers
who could captivated audiences, in other words,
another Aaliyah.
Like any other superstar, Aaliyah was not immune to
the backlashes of the press and the haters out there
in the world. Rumors began springing up of an
alleged relationship and marriage between R. Kelly
and the young singer. Although Aaliyah denied it
countless times,people are usually hard of hearing
when it comes to the truth. So, listen up people.
The truth of the matter is that they were NEVER
married and Aaliyah is NOT pregnant nor has she ever
been pregnant.
Three quite years passed, with many wondering when
the next Aaliyah project would drop. Teasing the
audience with numerous guest appearances and songs
off soundtracks, the world was more than ready for
the return of the highest most exalted one.In 1997,
Aaliyah finally emerged through and came out strong
with the impressive and critically acclaimed album,
One In a Million. This album, which was a result of
countless studio hours and numerous producers such
as Timbaland, Missy Elliot, Kay-Gee and Jermaine
Dupri, showed Aaliyah's growth and maturity, this
time around. One In a Million, went double platinum
silencing all her critics as well as questions as to
whether or not she was just a one hit wonder. The
first single off the album, If Your Girl Only Knew,
went straight to #1 on the Billboard Top R&B
charts as well as hitting Top Ten on the Billboard
100 Chart.
Since then Aaliyah has been knocking down
achievements left and right. Her song on the
Anastasia soundtrack led to an Oscar nomination as
well as an opportunity to perform the song on Oscar
night. Are You That Somebody became the surprise
summer hit of 1998. And 1999, marked the year
Aaliyah made her successful debut movie, Romeo Must
Die, alongside international superstar Jet Li.And
her hit song Try Again off the Romeo Must Die
soundtrack, became the first song to hit #1 on the
Billboard 100 Singles Chart based on Airplay alone.
No small job for just an ordinary girl.
Then again, Aaliyah has never been just an ordinary
girl and the world has finally realized that she is
an amazing blessing to us all.When considering
Aaliyah’s track record, it’s befitting that her
name means “the highest, most exalted one, the
best.” Her parents,Diane and Michael, decided on
this name long before Aaliyah (Aah-Lee-Yah) was even
conceived based on the high hopes and expectations
they had for their daughter. Her success as both a
recording artist and actress actually makes the name
a self-fulfilling prophecy. Aaliyah has made her
parents’ dreams come true and has also fulfilled
many of her own. At 21, she not only has a very
successful recording career and has established
herself as a motion picture actress but has also
proven to be an accomplished businesswoman.
In July 2001, her unexpected, but final self-titled
album was released. With Aaliyah's growing
popularity, the album was a hit the day it was
released, and again proved her talent as an artist.
Although everyone saw a bright future and many more
years of music, dance,movies, and fame for this
young woman, she suddenly died (August 25, 2001) in
a small plane crash, along with 8 others after
takeoff from the Bahamas.The death of this
multi-talented artist was tragic, and she will be
deeply missed by many. But, she will live on through
her music and the memories of her fans and those who
were close to her.
Aaliyah created a great impact on the R'n'B industry
and this is one of their biggest losses. Aaliyah
worked hard for her reputation and just started to
show her magic, she will be deeply remembered
although she still lives on in our hearts.
And remember the saying has changed: If at first you
don't succeed try another way, Aaliyah has now
turned it to:If at first you don't succeed then dust
yourself off and try again.
|
|
