Aaliyah Haughton will be forever immortalized as “the Princess of R&B,” a visionary artist who redefined the entire sound and aesthetic of 1990s music.

With her whispery voice, future-forward style, and cool self-possession, she gave the genre a sleek new language unlike anything it had ever encountered before.

Though her life was cut short at 22, her influence is found everywhere—from fashion runways to the sound of modern R&B and hip-hop.

Aaliyah was born in Brooklyn but grew up in Detroit, where she attended Detroit’s Gesu Elementary and later the Detroit High School for the Fine and Performing Arts.

From a young age, her uncle Barry Hankerson (a music executive) and her mother Diane encouraged her love of music, pushing her to sing in church choirs and talent shows that would pave the way to her appearing on Star Search.

You could tell she was mature for her age by the way she carried herself, but she was also talented, with her Detroit upbringing affording her the discipline it took to reach superstar status.

Aaliyah released her debut album, “Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number”, at the young age of 15 in 1994.

The record was controversial, yet her soft almost whispered delivery and big beats made it a radio hit.

From there, tracks like “Back & Forth” and her cover of “At Your Best” proved her talent and raw presence – even at such a young age.

She didn’t belt like Whitney or Mariah.

Instead, she pulled you in with subtlety.

Aaliyah’s career reached new heights with her second album, “One in a Million” (1996), produced by Timbaland and Missy Elliott.

Backed by Timbaland’s glitchy beats and one of a kind electronic textures, Aaliyah and Missy would go on to forever transform music, with Aaliyah’s dreamy vocals bringing something to the table that nobody had ever heard before her.

Tracks like “If Your Girl Only Knew” and “One in a Million” set the pattern for the next 20 years of R&B, with everyone from Destiny’s Child to Drake later drawing inspiration from its princess.

That said, Aaliyah was much more than just a singer.

She was also a trendsetter, one defined by her baggy jeans, crop tops, and sunglasses tilted just right.

Her manner was one of calm confidence – the kind girls copied and boys admired.

Hollywood also took notice, leading to her starring roles in “Romeo Must Die” (2000) with Jet Li and “Queen of the Damned” (released posthumously in 2002).

Aaliyah released her third (self-titled) album in 2001.

This was her boldest work yet – experimental, emotional, and profound.

Singles such as “We Need a Resolution,” “More Than a Woman,” and “Rock the Boat” showed that she was a long way from that sunglasses-wearing teenager she once was.

This version of Aaliyah was elegant, womanly, and ready to rule the new decade…

That is until tragedy struck.

Aaliyah and her crew crashed shortly after takeoff in a plane carrying her back to the United States after filming the music video for her hit song “Rock the Boat” in the Bahamas on August 25, 2001.

She was only 22.

Her death rocked the music world, and even today, her impact is still felt, with her minimal yet powerful vocal style inspiring the likes of Rihanna, Ciara, Normani, and so many others.

You can also hear her airy voice in samples and tributes by major artists like Drake and the Weeknd – proof that no matter how short her career was, it made a lasting impact thanks to her Detroit spirit, Brooklyn edge, and legendary energy.

For Detroit, Aaliyah is more than just a star who left the world too soon – she’s a reminder that the city can raise artists who don’t just follow the times, but pave a path toward a brighter future.

Victoria Jackson (Editor In Chief)

Victoria Jackson is a lifelong student and sharp-eyed documentarian of all things Detroit, from its rich musical roots and cultural icons to its shifting neighborhoods, storied architecture, and underground legends. With her finger firmly on the pulse of both the city’s vibrant past and its rapidly unfolding future, she brings a deeply personal, historically grounded lens to every piece she writes.

Published on: August 27, 2025