By David Jordan Jr
August 25, 2021 marks the twentieth year since the passing of Aaliyah Dana Haughton. Dying in a plane crash at the young age of twenty-two years old, Aaliyah was just beginning to scratch the surface of displaying her multiple talents as an artist and an actress. Beautiful looks, an angelic, chill voice and a unique swagger defined Aaliyah. Aaliyah had released three albums prior to her death and had appeared on various other artists’ songs and albums in addition to movie soundtracks. Her impact upon culture and young women at that time was immeasurable. Aaliyah’s varied styles of fashion from classy sheek to sexy tomboy enabled her to connect with fans all over the world. Her talents as a dancer coupled with her vocal abilities enabled her to be a true performer, one that inspired many female artists that came along in the music industry after her passing. Twenty years after her passing her impact as an artist is still being felt as many artists have sampled her voice and included her in their songs and albums posthumously. The time which Aaliyah graced this earth was something that words could not truly explain two decades later; her own words could help you in understanding who she was and her connection with her fans. Check out the gallery of photos, music videos and interviews with Aaliyah.
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THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO — Episode 1824 — Pictured: (l-r) Musical guest Aaliyah during an interview with host Jay Leno on April 26, 2000 — (Photo by: Paul Drinkwater/Network/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
Aaliyah 1997 Summer Jam (Photo by Chris Walter/WireImage)
Aaliyah & Missy Elliott during The 12th Annual Soul Train Music Awards at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by Chris Walter/WireImage)
American singer and actress Aaliyah (1979-2001) attends a press conference as Lifebeat’s Counter AID announces its third annual fund-raiser, in Los Angeles, California, November 1994. The Counter AID project raises money for people living with HIV and AIDS. (Photo by Vinnie Zuffante/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Aaliyah and her brother Rashad Haughton (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
1997 file photo of Aaliyah at the Soul Train Awards (Photo by Barry King/WireImage)
Aaliyah during Aaliyah made a person apperance at Virgin Megastore in London. at Virgin Megastore in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Fred Duval/FilmMagic)
Aaliyah, Julian Hawkins, BET Hosts during Aaliyah Awards BET.com Contest Winner, 19 year-old Julian Hawkins of Baltimore, MD, a 2002 Cadillac Escalade and $20,000 at NYC in New York, New York, United States. (Photo by Sylvain Gaboury/FilmMagic)
Aaaliyah at the at the 2000 Teen Choice Awards at the Barker hangar in Santa Monica, CA on Sunday, August 6, 2000 Photo: Kevin Winter/ImageDirect
Aaliyah (Photo by KMazur/WireImage)
Aaliyah (Photo by Chris Walter/WireImage)
Aaliyah (Photo by SGranitz/WireImage)
UNITED STATES – CIRCA 2000: Aaliyah shows her award for Best Female Video From a Film backstage at the MTV Video Music Awards 2000 at Radio City Music Hall. (Photo by Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)
US recording artist Aaliyah arrives for the premiere of “Romeo Must Die” 20 March 2000 in Los Angeles. Aaliyah makes her film debut in the martial arts action film with Hong Kong action film star Jet Li. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO/Vince BUCCI/vb (Photo by VINCE BUCCI / AFP) (Photo by VINCE BUCCI/AFP via Getty Images)
UNITED STATES – JUNE 02: Aaliyah arriving at the 2001 MTV Movie Awards in LA 6/2/01 (Photo by Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images)
American singer and actress Aaliyah (1979-2001) and American boyband Immature (Marques Houston, Jerome Jones and Kelton Kessee) attend a press conference as Lifebeat’s Counter AID announces its third annual fund-raiser, in Los Angeles, California, November 1994. The Counter AID project raises money for people living with HIV and AIDS. (Photo by Vinnie Zuffante/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
CONCORD, CA – AUGUST 9: Aaliyah performs at KMEL Summer Jam 1997 at Concord Pavillion on August 9, 1997 in Concord California. (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES: Asian actor Jet Li (R) and US recording artist Aaliyah arrive for the premiere of their new film “Romeo Must Die” 20 March 2000 in Los Angeles. Both star in the martial arts action film which marks the English-language debut of Hong Kong superstar Li. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO/Vince BUCCI/vb (Photo credit should read Vince Bucci/AFP via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK–AUGUST 2: Musician Aaliyah appears in a portrait taken at the Vibe Magazine Fashion Show in New York City on August 2, 1996. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images/Michael Ochs Archives)
American singer, Aaliyah (1979 – 2001) performing at the Apollo Theater, Harlem, New York City, 4th November 1995. (Photo by David Corio/Getty Images)
Aaliyah (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
E367235 Aaliyah (as Trish O”Day) stars in “Romeo Must Die.” Photo credit: Kharen Hill 2000 Warner Bros.
UNITED STATES – JANUARY 01: Photo of AALIYAH (Photo by George De Sota (ID 5073478)/Redferns)
Aaliyah in Easthampton, New York (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage)
UNITED STATES – JUNE 03: Photo of Aaliyah (Photo by Sue Schneider/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Destiny’s Child, Aaliyah (Photo by KMazur/WireImage)
Aaliyah and Halle Berry during 2000 MTV Movie Awards at Sony Studios in Culver City, California, United States. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc)
377894 77: Aaliyah wins the MTV Award for Best video from a film September 7, 2000 at the MTV Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. (Photo by George De Sota/Liaison)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 23: Singer Aaliyah is photographed on May 23, 2001 in London, England. (Photo by Hamish Brown/Contour by Getty Images)
Aaliyah (Photo by KMazur/WireImage)
Aaliyah at ‘The Tonight Show with Jay Leno’ at the NBC Studios in Burbank, Ca. 7/25/01. Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images.
Aaliyah performs at Concord Pavillion in Concord Calif. on August 9th, 1997. KMEL All Star Jam 1997 106.1 FM. Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images.
UNITED STATES – JANUARY 01: Photo of AALIYAH and Damon DASH; with Damon Dash (Photo by George De Sota (ID 5073478)/Redferns)
Aaliyah & *NSYNC (Photo by KMazur/WireImage)
Aaliyah at the 1998 Academy Awards in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc)
Singer Aaliyah, COVER IMAGE (Photo by © Marc Baptiste/CORBIS OUTLINE/Corbis via Getty Images)