On January 16th 1979 the world was blessed with the birth of Aaliyah Dana Haughton in Brooklyn, New York. Aaliyah was raised by her father, mother and brother Rashad Haughton in Detroit. At age 9 she appeared on Star Search, the TV program and sang "My Funny Valentine", a song which her mother had sung years earlier. At age 11, she sang with Gladys Knight in a five-night stint in Las Vegas. In 1992, she began to work on her debut album with the help of singer R. Kelly. The album, "Age Ain't Nothing But A Number" was released in 1994 and received heavy praise. Aaliyah came under attack shortly after when reports suggested she was married to R. Kelly. At the time, she was 15, he was 27. The marriage was apparently annulled. In 1995, she began to work on her 2nd album, alongside Jermaine Dupri, Tim Mosley, Slick Rick and Missy 'Misdemeanor' Elliott'. The album, titled 'One In A Million' was released on August 27th 1996. In 1998 she released the single, 'Are you that somebody?' from the Doctor Dolittle soundtrack, it was produced by her friends Tim Mosley. Later that year she released the single 'Journey to the past', from the Anastasia soundtrack. In 2000, she made her film acting debut and starred as Trish O'Day in the smash hit, hip-hop, kung fu film, Romeo Must Die alongside Jet Li. The producer was so impressed by her performance she got parts in The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions. She made numerous records for the soundtrack and released 'Try Again', for which she was nominated with 'Best female video' and 'Best Video in a film' with MTV. In 2001 she was nominated with 2 awards for MTV, the 'Breakthrough female' and 'best performing female'. In July 2001 she released her third album, the self-titled, 'Aaliyah'. In early August of the same year she filmed the video for the single 'More Than a woman', taken off the album and on the 23rd August she started filming for 'Rock The Boat', on Abaco Island, in the Bahamas. On 25th August, filming was completed and her and eight of her crew members including her hair stylist and bodyguard boarded a small plane. Shortly after take off, the plane crashed and exploded, Aaliyah and all on board, perished. Aaliyah's funeral was held on Friday August 31st in New York, and 22 white doves were flown to celebrate each year of her life. Soon after her death, the hit singles 'More Than a woman' and 'Rock The Boat' were released from her third album. In 2002, the film Queen of the Damned by Anne Rice was released in which Aaliyah played the lead, Queen Akasha. She was nominated for best Villain at the MTV movie awards 2002. Looking back at her biography, it's no wonder her name means 'Highest, most exhalted one; the best', she had achieved so much in her short life of 22 years.


Auditioned for a role on the television sitcom "Family Matters" (1989). 3 tattoos: her initial and a star on her hand, a music symbol on her ankle and a dove on her lower back. Performed with Gladys Knight at age eleven in Las Vegas. Got her dove tattoo as a tribute to her grandmother. Got her big break on the television show "Star Search" (1983). She got her middle name Dana from her grandmother. Parents: Micheal and Diane Haughton. Brother: Rashad Haughton (born 6 August 1977). At the time of her death, she was scheduled to reloop her dialogue in Queen of the Damned (2002) and to film the majority of her role for The Matrix Reloaded (2003) and The Matrix Revolutions (2003). The first female artist to have a posthumous number one single in the UK record charts. [January 2002] At her funeral, 22 white doves were released from the steps of the church. One dove for each year of her life. Auditioned for the Elton John Broadway show, Aida. Her mother Diane was once a promising solo singer but gave it up to raise her children Aaliyah and Rashad Haughton. It was announced in November 2002 that good friend 'Missy 'Misdemeanor' Elliott' is to produce a tribute album to Aaliyah which will include stars finishing off songs Aaliyah was working on before her death in August 2001. In the same month, it was announced that a posthumous Aaliyah album will be released entitled 'I care 4 u'. Was considered for the part of Maggie in Get Over It (2001), but was already committed to Romeo Must Die (2000). Zoe Saldana was eventually cast in the role. Was almost the voice of Leah in Osmosis Jones (2001), but could not accept due to schedule conflicts. The part was eventually voiced by Brandy Norwood. She was close friends with Nicole Richie. Best friend was Kidada Jones. In Arabic, the name Aaliyah means "highest, most exalted one.". Had a 4.0 voice - she was a "soubrette soprano". Was named #7 On "America's Hottest 30 Song birds" of (2001). Her song "Rock the boat" Was the most viewed video of the year 2002 Getting over 56,000 views daily. Ranked #12 On Hollywoods Hottest of 2000.