Seven years ago to the day, we lost Aaliyah Haughton. As we’ve witnessed talented artists pass on throughout history, we begin to relate their deaths with what we were doing when we found out. Our parents probably remember where they were when they found out John Lennon died or Jimi Hendrix or Bob Marley.
For many of us there were the deaths of Tupac and Biggie, and Aaliyah ranks right up there. Most music lovers (and especially Aaliyah fans) remember exactly what they were doing on August 25, 2001 when the world said goodbye to Baby Girl.
We lost her too soon at the age of 22, right at the peak of her career. Aaliyah was the original protégé of Missy Elliott and Timbaland, with whom they would test their production styles in an effort to create was most still fall short of making today.
A dancer, singer, actor, and all around entertainer, Aaliyah’s greatest gift to us was interpretation. Whether it be a role, a beat, or a sheet of music, Aaliyah wrapped herself in the creativity of her projects as if they were made for her.
What she felt, we felt, and that’s why her death hit the industry so hard. As private as she was with her life, Aaliyah was all of our best friends. Girls aspired to be her; boys aspired to marry her. Thankfully, we’re left with a catalog of hits that after a second listen are so obviously the blueprints for much music today. The AllHipHop staff compiled their favorite Aaliyah tracks – some commercially known, others b-sides and remixes. Share your favorites too as we celebrate the life of a true fallen angel. Click here to read.
1 comment:
awww, made me cry!
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