Aalyah
- 00:00:25
- Google Video
Aalyah
http://www.reviewink.com/772/ Aaliyah Dana Haughton (January 16, 1979 – August 25, 2001), better known simply as Aaliyah, was an American R&B singer, dancer, fashion model, actress, and a teen idol. Introduced to audiences by R&B singer R. Kelly, Aaliyah became famous in her own right during the mid-90s with several hit records from the songwriting/production team of Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott and Timbaland, and their associate Steve "Static" Garrett. Notable for recording several hit records, including several number one R&B hits, a number one pop hit, and nine top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100, Aaliyah sold over 34 million records worldwide during her career. During her career she also modeled for Tommy Hilfiger and starred in two motion pictures before her untimely death in a plane crash in 2001 at the age of 22. Aaliyah Dana Haughton was born in Brooklyn, New York on January 16, 1979 to Michael and Diane Haughton, and was raised in Detroit. Her name means the highest most exalted one, the best in Arabic. Aaliyah was brought up with her older brother Rashad Haughton and many books about her life illustrate her happy childhood. Rashad would remain a protective figure throughout Aaliyah's life. Both Aaliyah and Rashad shared a love of the Arts. Aaliyah entertained audiences with her performances in school plays and at the family home and Rashad expressed an interest in film studies and media. Aaliyah's mother Diane Haughton, also a vocalist, encouraged Aaliyah's career. Her uncle, Barry Hankerson, is a prominent individual in the music industry and Aaliyah's Aunt, through marriage to Hankerson, is Gladys Knight, a legendary soul singer with Gladys Knight & the Pips. Aaliyah would always hear her mother sing the song My Funny Valentine and when Aaliyah had the opportunity to take part in the talent competition Star Search this was the song she chose. Although not yet a teenager Aaliyah performed well however she did not win the competition. This was the initial point when ten year old Aaliyah worked with an agent in New York and began to attend auditions for TV Shows including Family Matters. Following her stint on Star Search Aaliyah performed on stage in Las Vegas with Gladys Knight who left a lasting impression on Aaliyah. This was a significant performance for Aaliyah in her early career as a child star, and one that would shape a highly successful career In her early teens Aaliyah attended the Detroit High School for the Fine and Performing Arts. The prestigious school allowed Aaliyah to follow a structured academic school curriculum and to explore her love of dance. Aaliyah was originally a vocal major but transferred to a dance major as this was an area that would be incorporated in her career as a singer. Aaliyah graduated as a dance major with a 4.0 grade point average and was described as the "pride and joy" of the school by the principal teacher according to a press statement from the school. Aaliyah continued her studies as she began work on her debut album. Aaliyah signed with her uncle Barry Hankerson's Blackground Records label in 1993 at the age of 14 years old. She released her debut album, titled Age Ain't Nothing but a Number, in 1994 at the age of 15 years old. R. Kelly acted as Aaliyah's mentor and he was a leading songwriter and producer on her debut album. The album displayed her smooth and velvety vocals and the production work was said to be original and innovative the album went platinum within months. The album featured the gold-selling singles "Back and Forth" (#1 U.S. R&B, 3 weeks), "At Your Best" (#2 U.S. R&B), a cover of The Isley Brothers' 1976 song, the album-titled single "Age Ain't Nothing but a Number" (#25 Hot 100 and #25 US R&B, 2 weeks), and "Down with the Clique" (#12 R&B Airplay, 3 weeks). In June 1995, Aaliyah released another single to radio only, "No One Knows How to Love Me Quite Like You Do." A track on the album entitled "Street Thing" proved that she had great range and power in her voice. The album has sold over 2.5 million copies in the U.S. to date and nearly 6 million worldwide. more female celebs with A: Atomic Kitten Ateshia Ashanti Anastacia Alizee Aishwarya Aaliyah Amy Acker Victoria Adams Karima Adebibe Christina Aguilera Donna Air Jessica Alba Jodi Albert Sasha Alexander Krista Allen Franziska Van Almsick Summer Altice Alessandra Ambrosio Elena Anaya Camille Anderson Gillian Anderson Jan Anderson Pamela Anderson Sophie Anderton Leasi Andrews Jennifer Aniston Jillian Ann Devon Aoki Fiona Apple Shiri Appleby Christina Applegate Natalie Appleton Amber Arbucci Manuela Arcuri Carolina Ardohain Asia Argento Alison Armitage Dido Armstrong Courteney Cox Arquette Patricia Arquette Jules Asner Gemma Atkinson Nadja Auermann
Google Video | October 18, 2006
