Today we remember hip hop diva Aaliyah – she would have been 34 years old today. The singer was killed in a plane crash in the Bahamas, she was one of nine people aboard a twin-engine plane that crashed seconds after taking off.
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A Brooklyn native, Aaliyah Dana Haughton – started voice lessons shortly after she learned to talk. Signing a contract with Jive Records at the age of 12 – catapulting into mainstream in 1994.
It has been 12 years since her death and it’s still a hard felt loss in the music industry — worldwide.
According to her friend Ivan Matias, Aaliyah” was a genuine, sweet, unpretentious spirit. Her warmth & infectious smile made those around her feel as if they’d known her forever. Maintaining a mystique that made her that much more intriguing,” Matias said. “When we’d go out, fans would swarm. She’d excuse herself, take pictures, never refuse an autograph, answer questions & without missing a beat; pick up where our conversation left off. She’d sometimes mention how beautiful a fan was or how moved she was by something they’d said.”
“She bought individuality and a unique thing that nobody else had,” said Brandy. “Her music was so forward, and before its time. You looked toward Aaliyah to do something new and fresh, that would just blow your mind. I miss her hard-knocking beats, with that pretty falsetto … and the lyrics were raw.”
In an interview a couple years ago with the LA Times, Missy Elliott said, “the pain of her not being here” affects those close to her every day.“I don’t wait until five years or 10 years to elaborate. I’m constantly talking about her,” Elliott said. “I still watch her videos and listen to her music. She’s a major part in our lives and in music.”“She went out and she was on the top, there was nobody bigger than her. Aaliyah was in that place,” another associate said. “People have such an awesome, incredible catalog to listen to and videos to watch. Of course, we want more. But we won’t get to see new videos of her. All it’ll be is a memory of a sound from back then.”We miss you Aaliyah and your spirit still lives on to this day!
“I don’t wait until five years or 10 years to elaborate. I’m constantly talking about her,” Elliott said. “I still watch her videos and listen to her music. She’s a major part in our lives and in music.”
“She went out and she was on the top, there was nobody bigger than her. Aaliyah was in that place,” another associate said. “People have such an awesome, incredible catalog to listen to and videos to watch. Of course, we want more. But we won’t get to see new videos of her. All it’ll be is a memory of a sound from back then.”
I didn’t know Aaliyah personally — but her music, her strength, character carried over in her music…I can say without a doubt that I was touched by an angel… when I first heard her voice blaring through my speakers. #RIP Aaliyah.
How will you remember Aaliyah? Share your favorite memories and songs in the comments below.
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