Christine Haveford
Aaliyah’s lasting influence on music, style, and dance will never be forgotten.
Monday (1.16.17) marked what would have been the ‘One In A Million’ singer’s 39th birthday.
Her longtime friend and collaborator Missy Elliott posted a tribute on her Instagram page for the late singer.
Aaliyah, tragically died in a plane crash at the age of 22 in 2001, alongside eight other people.
But the singer/actress is still remembered as someone who shaped R&B.
“Aaliyah so many people LOVE your Style & Music TIL this day!” Missy wrote. “I wish they all got a chance to meet you to see how CARING you were to EVERYONE you met!”
The hip-hop legend has expressed in interviews how she thought Aaliyah would be arrogant, coming off of the success of her 1994 debut album Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number.
But Aaliyah, who was just 15 years old at the time of its release, was the exact opposite. Instead, Missy says she remembers how “caring she was for everyone she met.”
Missy and producer Timbaland first worked with Aaliyah on her 1996 album One In A Million.
Timberland also paid tribute to his young protégé on social media. Sharing a picture of Aaliyah, he simply put: ‘Happy Born Day!!!’ with an emoji of a rose. The super producer also added the hash tag #rip #babygirl
Baby Girl is the nickname friends and family frequently called the singer.
At the time of Aaliyah’s death, she was engaged to rap mogul Damon Dash. He also took to Instagram to wish the ‘More Than A Woman’ singer a happy birthday. He wrote alongside a picture of them together:
“I celebrate your life every day…nothing will ever change…we appreciated every second together..
“I’m so glad you knew exactly how I felt while you were here and I was able to tell you…I feel you watching over me every day…”
“And your influence is everywhere..will always love you happy birthday!”
Meanwhile Aaliyah’s friend and choreographer Fatima shared a clip from her music video ‘Hot Like Fire’
Fatima, who choreographer many of Aaliyah’s iconic dance routines, wrote:
“That day you insisted I stand next to you not behind you….. I always loved dancing with you….and if I close my eyes hard enough, I feel you right by my side spinning and laughing and counting and singing. HBD Baby Girl.”
Check out more tributes below:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BeBaqVVgdCp/?taken-by=monicabrown
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