August 25, 2001 was a tragic day for music lovers and fans of Aaliyah Dana Haughton or simply the mononym Aaliyah. She started at a very young age appearing on Star Search with Gladys Night, and at the age of 12 Aaliyah already had her first deal through her uncle Barry Hankerson. She was a musical prodigy to which her debut album Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number sold nearly 3 million copies in United states as certified by Recording Industry Association of America to be a double platinum. Her future albums sold equally well and in the movie Romeo Must Die, her soundtrack “Try Again” topped the Billboard Hot 100 only because of airplays making it the first song ever and Aaliyah the first artist ever to have made the feat.
As an actress, she played her role to the hilt as the Queen of the Damned it was to be her last film and her last album self titled Aaliyah when on August 25, 2001 after filming Rock the Boat in the Bahamas, her plane crashed killing eight others. Allegedly, Luis Morales II the pilot was found out to have been intoxicated with amounts of cocaine and alcohol found during the autopsy. Additional reports showed that the pilot was not licensed to fly the plane, having lied about his experience and the plane itself was overloaded which caused the plane to crash shortly before take off.
When she died, fans were in disbelief, when it was confirmed, they mourned her passing at the young age of 22. The world missed Aaliyah, her music was phenomenal. Her style was often duplicated by contemporar artists and future artist but few could ever hope to achieve what Aaliyah achieved. She will always be the Princess of R & B.
Aaliyah, we are still missing you.
On this day nine years ago Aaliyah Dana Haughton's life was tragically cut short at the age of 22. Recording and performing under the singular name Aaliyah, she received her first contract from Jive and Blackground Records at the age of 12. Her uncle Barry Hankerson introduced the young Aaliyah to her future mentor R. Kelly, who would produce her first album Age Ain't Nothing but a Number. The album is now looked upon as a true cornerstone of her legacy. In 1996 she began work with Missy Elliott and Timbaland for her second album, One in a Million. It was her self titled third album that truly showed the type of artist Aaliyah had become. A talented hardworking focused woman who was well on her way to an elite career.
In a world where R&B singers seem to be getting busted for drug use, arrested on domestic abuse, and pulling guns on people, Aaliyah would certainly be a breath of fresh air right about now.
It's been nine years since 
The Thank Me Later rapper went on to explain that he was one of Aaliyah's biggest fans and that he was "truly in love" with her. He complimented the star's appearance, the way she carried herself, and the confidence she communicated in her music, be it about love or heartache. 
