Aaliyah Dana Haughton (January 16, 1979 – August 25, 2001) was an American singer and actress.
She has been credited for helping to redefine contemporary R&B, pop and hip hop, earning her the nicknames the “Princess of R&B” and “Queen of Urban Pop”.
Is Gladys Knight related to Aaliyah?
Born in Brooklyn but raised in Detroit, she first gained recognition at the age of 10, when she appeared on the television show Star Search and performed in concert alongside Gladys Knight.
They are known to be related by family.
At the age of 12, Aaliyah signed with Jive Records and her uncle Barry Hankerson’s Blackground Records.
Hankerson introduced her to R. Kelly, who became her mentor, as well as lead songwriter and producer of her debut album, Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number.
The album sold three million copies in the United States and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
After allegations of an illegal marriage with Kelly, Aaliyah ended her contract with Jive and signed with Atlantic Records.
