Happy Birthday Baby Girl
Today, Her Source, celebrates the birthday of the amazing, Aaliyah, who would have been 35 years old today. We threw a party in honor of Aaliyah by celebrating a woman that was fearless, talented, and humble throughout her career.
Aaliyah Dana Haughton was born on January 16, 1979 in the heart of Brooklyn, NY and had the making of a diva from an early age being influenced by her mother Diane, who is also a singer.
When she was 10 years old, she appeared on the hit talent competition show, Star Search, where she sang the song “My Funny Valentine” and often performed with her aunt the legendary, Gladys Knight.
As a teenager, music continued to call her name and she signed to her uncle’s label, Blackground Records and Jive Records, where she released her debut album, Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number. She released the singles, “Back & Forth” featuring her mentor and fellow singer, R.Kelly, “Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number,” and “At Your Best (You Are Love).” She pioneered the fashion style of girls wearing baggy clothes and it is still a look that could be seen by all races around the world.
When she left Jive Records, she signed to Atlantic Records where she started the recording process of her second album, One In A Million. For the process of the album, she worked with producers Timbaland and Missy Elliott and they built a chemistry that would last forever. Aaliyah became the spokeswoman for Tommy Hilfiger; an accomplishment that she is well remembered for as she became the first r&b singer to be on the campaign. She was nominated for her first Grammy Award for her contribution to the movie, Dr. Dolittle, for the single, “Are You That Somebody.”
During the start of the 2000’s, she revamped her career by becoming an actress. She landed her first movie role in Romeo Must Die which also co-starred rapper DMX. The movie was a hit and it landed Aaliyah her second role in the movie, Queen of the Damned.
She released her third and final album, Aaliyah, in July, 2001. Unfortunately, on August 25, 2001 she lost her life while traveling back to the states after filming her final music video for the single, “Rock The Boat.”
Though we lost her at such a young age, Aaliyah’s legacy remains and she is cherished and honored by many. Happy Birthday Aaliyah!
Here is what she was known for:
