Aaliyah Dana Haughton
b. January 16, 1979 – d. August 25, 2001

Aaliyah Dana Haughton was born in Detroit, Michigan, on January 16, 1979. She was the niece of legendary soul singer Gladys Knight. From an early age, Aaliyah displayed a deep passion for music and performance, eventually enrolling at the Detroit High School for the Performing Arts.

In her early career, Aaliyah was mentored by R. Kelly, who produced her debut album Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number (1994). The album featured the hit single “Back & Forth,” which performed well on both national and R&B charts. The album was recorded in Chicago at R. Kelly’s residence while Aaliyah was still attending high school in Detroit.

Later that year, controversy arose when reports surfaced that Aaliyah had secretly married R. Kelly. She was only 15 at the time, and the marriage was later annulled.

In 1996, Aaliyah released her sophomore album, One in a Million, produced by Timbaland and Missy Elliott. This album marked a turning point in her career, showcasing a more mature sound and solidifying her status as a major R&B artist.

By the late 1990s, Aaliyah had signed with Virgin Records and expanded into acting. She starred alongside Jet Li in the 2000 action film “Romeo Must Die”, contributing tracks such as “Try Again” and “Are You Feelin’ Me?” to the soundtrack. “Try Again” became a groundbreaking hit, making history as the first song to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 based solely on airplay.

In summer 2001, Aaliyah released her self-titled third studio album, Aaliyah, which received critical acclaim. Tragically, her life was cut short just a month later.

The Plane Crash
On August 25, 2001, Aaliyah and eight others died in a plane crash shortly after takeoff from Marsh Harbour Airport in the Bahamas. The group was returning to the U.S. after filming a music video for the single “Rock the Boat.”

The aircraft, a Cessna 402B owned by Skystream Inc., crashed at the end of the runway at 6:50 p.m. The cause of the crash initially remained unclear, but investigations quickly uncovered troubling details.

Investigation and Findings
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) later revealed that the pilot, Luis Morales III, was not authorized to fly the aircraft. While he held a license to fly multi-engine commercial planes, Blackhawk International Airways—the operator listed for the flight—only had authorization for a single-pilot who was not Morales.

Additionally, Morales reportedly had traces of cocaine and alcohol in his system and had been on probation for a criminal offense at the time of the flight. The plane was also found to be overloaded with passengers and cargo, well above its approved weight limit, which likely contributed to the crash.

Aaliyah’s untimely death at age 22 sent shockwaves through the music and entertainment industries. Her influence on R&B, fashion, and pop culture remains profound. She is remembered not only for her immense talent but also for the grace and maturity she exhibited throughout her career.