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Today, January 16th, we celebrate the life of a talented artist whose life was cut short at such a young age, Aaliyah Dana Haughton.
Growing up in a family of talent, Aaliyah was destined for greatness at a young age. Often performing with her aunt, the legendary Gladys Knight and participating in star searches early on, she made her mark in the music industry as early as age 10.
As a teenager, she continued her musical calling, signing to Jive Records and releasing her debut album, Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number along with singles, Back & Forth, featuring singer, R.Kelly, Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number, and At Your Best.
She later recorded her second album, One In A Million, with Atlantic Records, where she worked with producers Timberland and Missy Elliot.
Throughout her career, Aaliyah has made many great accomplishments. She was Grammy nominated for her contribution in the movie Dr. Dolittle with her soundtrack featured single, Are You That Somebody. In the year 2000, she landed her first movie role in Romeo Must Die, co-starring rapper DMX, and landed her second movie role in Michael Rhymers, Queen of the Damned. She also became the first R&B spokeswoman for Tommy Hilfiger.
In July 2001, she released her third album titled Aaliyah, which was her final 
released album. Although, there was speculation that an album of unreleased tracks would be released by popular rapper, Drake, there has not been a known release date, as this has stirred the pot with many of Aaliyah’s previous producers. Should her previous producers, Timberland and Missy Elliot, have a part in this release, if there is a release? I don’t know, You tell me.
Either way, Aaliyah samples are currently featured on recent tracks with singer, Chris Brown and Drake.
It has now been 12 years since we lost the precious life of Aaliyah to a plane crash, that took her life along with eight others. Today the singer would have celebrated her 35th birthday.
She is gone, but her legacy will continue to live and her life will never be forgotten as it continues to be celebrated by many worldwide!
Happy Birthday Aaliyah from all of us here at What’s Hot in Hip Hop!
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