Complex’s Wifey Hall Of Fame: Aaliyah
It still feels like yesterday, but it was eight years ago today that Aaliyah Dana Haughton’s life was cut short after her plane crashed shortly after takeoff. Though only 22 when she passed away, Aaliyah certainly put in work during her nine year run in the entertainment industry, dropping three platinum albums and starring in two films. Besides her talent it was her beauty, style and demeanor that had us hooked.
What started with black shades, black tank tops and black baggy pants, evolved into an effortless elegance that was exuded every time you saw her. It’s all those reasons and more than make her our latest inductee into Complex’s Wifey Hall of Fame. Keep reading to see the five Aaliyah moments that make her one in a million…
“BACK AND FORTH” (1994)
• Aaliyah first came on the music scene in 1994 with her debut, R. Kelly produced album Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number. She was only 15 years old at the time but musically, Aaliyah was well beyond her years. The album sold more than 2 million copies in the U.S alone and its first single “Back & Forth” was #1 on the Billboard charts for three weeks straight.
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“IF YOUR GIRL ONLY KNEW” (1996)
• After leaving Jive Records in 1996, Aaliyah released her sophomore album One in a Million under Blackground Records, which sold over 8 million copies worldwide. The album, which was mostly penned and produced by Missy Elliott and Timberland created smash hits including “If Your Girl Only Knew”, “One in a Million” and “4 Page Letter.”
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“ARE YOU THAT SOMEBODY” (1999)
• Prior to the release of this video, we hadn’t really seen Aaliyah do much dancing besides the basic two-step. But we were in for a surprise when we saw her doing splits, flips, crotch-grabbing, floor-humping, grinding and ballroom dancing. Suffice to say, Timbo’s Baby Girl was all grown up.
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ROMEO MUST DIE (2000)
• Most times we’d cringe at the idea of a singer trying to break into the movie industry (cough::Beyonce::cough) but that wasn’t the case when Aaliyah made her movie debut along side Jet Li in Romeo Must Die. The movie was whatever, but it showed that Aaliyah was multi-talented. She also served as executive producer of the film’s soundtrack and contributed four songs including “Try Again.” With this single, she became the first artist to top the Billboard chart with radio airplay alone. All at the age of 21. She was young moola, baby!
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“ROCK THE BOAT” (2001)
• This video’s debut was bittersweet as it was the last gift Aaliyah blessed the world with before her passing. The video still remains the highest rated and most viewed episode in the history of BET’s Access Granted.
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BONUS VIDEO: “MISS YOU” (2005)
• “Miss You” was an unreleased track Aaliyah sang before her death and as a tribute to her, major stars, including DMX, Missy Elliott, Toni Braxton, Rosario Dawson and Jamie Foxx, came together to make a music video for the track. Jay-Z also made a tribute to her using the “Miss You” instrumental and chorus.
• CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE “WIFEY HALL OF FAME” POSTS
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riff raff August 25, 2009 at 3:07 pm
she would definitely be one of the major r&b artists today raising the bar and setting standards if she were alive.
johngone August 25, 2009 at 3:30 pm
::clap:: :clap:
BIG FRED August 25, 2009 at 4:41 pm
YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! REMEBER BABYGIRL IN “QUEEN OF THE DAMNED”? SHE WAS ON HER WAY TO TAKE OVER R&B AND THE MOVIE INDUSTRY! U R MISSED, LIYAH!
ninety6 August 25, 2009 at 7:02 pm
“wE” all remember you! Always.
Marzouq August 25, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Man those videos really got to me! I was shocked and sad when she passed away, may she rest in peace.
She was fluid in her movements, an amazing person, and a talented artist. She is always will be missed.
Vplus August 26, 2009 at 12:44 am
R.I.P Aaliyah…
Danny August 26, 2009 at 9:44 am
Aaliyah was no wifey. Perhaps she had musical and acting talent but not wifey material to me. I definitely do not want a cockhead for a wife. There you have it folks, i guess most of you forgot that details of her cocaine habit came out when she passed away. May she rest in peace anyway.
No wifey though.
aaliyahzhomeboi August 27, 2009 at 3:05 am
ah nah son aaliyah waz wifey material she aint no crackhead like yaself nd she not a cockhead she wouldnt want yo big headed a** as a husband anywayz h*** nah she aint had no cocaine habit son
Meow August 28, 2009 at 8:50 am
I may be wrong, but wasnt she married to R. Kelly? If thats so, how come hes never featured in any of the tributes for her?
max August 28, 2009 at 7:51 pm
cos it was illegal…
Ex August 29, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Still miss u. We all luv u 4ever!
Marcus October 29, 2009 at 11:04 am
Aaliyah was a fab artist. never to reinvented, touch or fabricated. she is the queen, i’m not saying that cuz she is ded, i became a fan in 1996 and she is my fav singer of all time. i am saying it cuz it’s true.
R.I.P. MAMA