Today commemorates the 20th anniversary of Aaliyah’s death. The singer born– Aaliyah Dana Haughton– was tragically killed in a fiery plane crash at the pinnacle of her entertainment career at the age of 22. She had just finished shooting the video for her hit single “Rock The Boat” in the Bahamas. She and eight other people passed away on that fateful day.
Although the crooner had a first record deal at age 12, Aaliyah’s legacy was sealed during the ’90s when the Detroit-bred songbird dropped hits like “Age Ain’t Nuttin, But A Number,” “Back And Forth,” “One In A Million,” “More Than A Woman” and “We Need A Resolution.”
The Brooklyn-born songstress performed on the popular talent show Star Search, and she also performed with legendary soul singer Gladys Knight during her preteen years.
Aaliyah’s first platinum album was “Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number,” – released in 1994. The album was produced by R. Kelly.
The “Are You That Somebody” singer also found commercial success in films. She starred in Romeo Must Die with DMX in 2000. The movie was her first acting job. She also starred in Queen of The Damned. Before her death, Aaliyah was slated to star in the sequels for the Matrix sequels.
Fans and friends took to social media to remember the superstar on this unforgettable day.
We love you, Aaliyah!!! pic.twitter.com/wUOOLA7Pun
— TonyTheTiger™ 🐅 (@datyger927) August 25, 2021
Babygirl All these years your IMPACT is still felt & your INFLUENCE is seen EVERYWHERE! So many are still CAPTIVATED by your SOUND & STYLE! It’s BEAUTIFUL to see a new generation become fans of your ART & love YOUR HEART! We Love you💜🕊& May your spirit live on 4EVER🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/EYqDQ5NZNK
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) August 25, 2021
Wow. 20 years ago today Aaliyah left us and is still making a major impact. pic.twitter.com/PB5gsaqKMm
— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) August 25, 2021
I was 8 months pregnant when @FM98WJLB was playing all of her music while I was driving home. I was like, “WTH?” And then the news broke that @AaliyahHaughton had passed away, Y’all, I had to pull over to cry. I thought I was gonna go into labor. #Aaliyah20years pic.twitter.com/WbSytFYGSl
— Keka Araújo (@KAraujoNWT) August 26, 2021
Aaliyah was the first celebrity death that really struck me! I still remember hearing about it on MTV News and breaking down in tears… #Aaliyah pic.twitter.com/Up4qtwiO14
— Morgan Murrell (@RespectThe__GAP) August 26, 2021
20 years we lost this beautiful soul. Our hearts are forever shattered by her lost. But her beautiful angelic spirit lives in us forever. 🥺🤍🕊 We miss you Aaliyah pic.twitter.com/cHOLXucddB
— Melanie (@ba6dfde587b24ec) August 26, 2021
Although the talented star has been gone for two decades, her body of work and spirit still live on. This month, after years of litigation, Aaliyah’s catalog will finally be streamable, according to the New York Times. Over the next two months, 17 albums will be released to the public.
