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Aaliyah: Aaliyah Haughton
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Aaliyah Haughton might not be a name that is instantly recognizable by the public, but she sure is trying hard to change that. After two successful albums, a movie (Romeo Must Die), and a concert tour, Aaliyah is slowly entering the public consciousness. Of course, to hip-hop fans, she is no stranger and she is widely recognized as the upcoming successor to Janet Jackson, a well-deserved reputation.
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The 22-year-old singer and actress, born Aaliyah Haughton, was one of nine people aboard a twin-engine plane that crashed seconds after taking off from the Bahamas, according to Grand Bahama police superintendent Basil Rahming. All nine died.
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Born January 16, 1979, in Brooklyn, New York, Aaliyah (Haughton) now makes Detroit her home. Aaliyah began her performing at the young age of 11 when she sang on-stage with Gladys Knight's troupe in Las Vegas. Nicknamed, "Liyah," Aaliyah just graduated from the Detroit High School for the Fine and Performing Arts (June, '97). With 2 hit LPs by the time she was 18 years old, Aaliyah has already established herself as an up-and-coming R&B force. After a childhood of intermittent performances including Star Search and TV pilots, Aaliyah's uncle, Barry Hankerson (Gladys Knight's ex-husband) introduced Aaliyah to a performer he was managing, R. Kelly. The meeting resulted in Kelly producing (and writing most songs on) Aaliyah's debut LP, Age Ain't Nothing But A Number.
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In Swahili, the language of East Africa, the name Aaliyah means "highest, most exalted one." Most parents might shy away from burdening their newborn with such a tough name to live up to, but it seems that Michael and Diane Haughton knew from the start that their baby daughter had the makings of a real star. While still a sophomore at Detroit's High School for Fine and Performing Arts, Aaliyah Haughton, known professionally by her first name alone, released her debut album, which created a minor sensation in the recording industry and in time went double-platinum. Her second album quickly went platinum as well, and she later broadened her horizons, adding acting to her resume. Aaliyah's star was burning bright when her life was unexpectedly cut short: Aaliyah and eight others died in a plane crash on August 25, 2001, while returning from a video shoot in the Bahamas.
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Aaliyah (Ah-Lee-Yah) was born in Brooklyn, New York to Michael and Diane Haughton; one of her grandmothers was a Native American. Her name is Arabic for the highest, most exalted one, the best. She grew up in Detroit, Michigan where she attended various schools including the Detroit High School for Fine and Performing Arts. Aaliyah signed with her uncle Barry Hankerson's Blackground label in 1993 and released her debut album, titled Age Ain't Nothing but a Number, in 1994. The album reached platinum status within months, and featured the gold-selling singles "Back and Forth" (number one U.S. R&B, 3 weeks), and "At Your Best (You Are Love)" (number two U.S. R&B), a cover of the 1976 Isley Brothers single. The album went on to reach double platinum status with sales of over two million copies in the U.S. and five million worldwide.
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Aaliyah was born in Brooklyn, New York, on January 16, 1979, to Diane and Michael Haughton. The family, including older brother Rashaad, moved to Detroit, Michigan, when she was five years old. From an early age, Aaliyah knew she wanted to perform. "I've been singing all my life," she told Vibe. "I sang in my church, and school and my parents gave me vocal lessons," she continued. At the age of seven, Aaliyah started trying out for school plays.
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