# Aaliyah

> American singer and actress (1979-2001)

**Wikidata**: [Q11617](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11617)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaliyah)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/aaliyah

## Summary
Aaliyah Dana Haughton, known professionally as Aaliyah, was an American singer and actress active from 1989 until her death in 2001. Often referred to as the "Princess of R&B" and the "Queen of Urban Pop," she was a pivotal figure in the development of contemporary R&B, hip-hop soul, and neo-soul music. Her career was marked by critical acclaim and commercial success before she tragically died in a plane crash at the age of 22.

## Biography
- **Born**: January 16, 1979
- **Nationality**: American (Citizenship: United States)
- **Education**: Attended institutions associated with Q5266008 (specific degree details not provided in source)
- **Known for**: Pioneering the fusion of R&B, hip-hop, and soul; acting in film; defining the sound of late 1990s urban pop
- **Employer(s)**: Blackground Records, Atlantic Records, Jive Records, Universal Records, Virgin Records
- **Field(s)**: Music (Singing, Songwriting), Acting (Film, Television), Modeling

## Contributions
Aaliyah's primary contributions lie in her musical recordings and film performances which redefined the aesthetic of late 1990s and early 2000s pop culture.
- **Musical Legacy**: She released influential works across genres including contemporary R&B, hip-hop soul, neo-soul, and pop. Her discography includes the posthumous single "I Care 4 U," which became a significant part of her catalog.
- **Genre Influence**: Her work helped popularize the "hip-hop soul" subgenre, blending R&B vocals with hip-hop production, as well as contributing to the evolution of neo-soul and alternative R&B.
- **Acting Career**: She transitioned into acting, appearing in dramatic and comic productions for film and television, establishing herself as a dual-threat entertainer.
- **Awards**: She received recognition including the MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video and the MTV Video Music Award for Best Video from a Film.
- **Posthumous Release**: The compilation album/single "I Care 4 U" was released, preserving her legacy after her passing in 2001.

## FAQs
**What genres of music was Aaliyah associated with?**
Aaliyah was a central figure in contemporary R&B, hip-hop soul, and neo-soul, while also recording in pop, funk, soul, and urban contemporary genres. Her music often fused these styles, creating a distinctive sound that bridged the gap between traditional R&B and modern hip-hop production.

**Which record labels did Aaliyah record for during her career?**
Throughout her career, Aaliyah was signed to several major labels including Blackground Records, Atlantic Records, Jive Records, Universal Records, and Virgin Records. These affiliations allowed her music to reach global audiences across different distribution networks and eras of her career.

**What awards did Aaliyah receive for her work?**
She was honored with prestigious accolades such as the MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video and the MTV Video Music Award for Best Video from a Film. These awards recognized her excellence in both musical performance and visual storytelling through music videos.

**How is Aaliyah remembered in the music industry?**
She is widely remembered as the "Princess of R&B" and the "Queen of Urban Pop," titles that reflect her immense influence on the sound and style of her generation. Her legacy endures through her extensive catalog and the artists she influenced in the realms of R&B and pop music.

## Why They Matter
Aaliyah matters because she fundamentally shifted the trajectory of contemporary R&B and urban pop music in the late 1990s. By seamlessly integrating hip-hop beats with soulful vocals, she helped define the "hip-hop soul" genre, influencing a generation of artists who followed. Her work challenged the boundaries of traditional R&B, introducing a cooler, more rhythmic aesthetic that became the standard for the new millennium. Beyond music, her success as an actress demonstrated the viability of crossover careers for R&B stars, paving the way for future multi-hyphenate entertainers. Her untimely death at age 22 cemented her status as a tragic icon, leaving a body of work that remains a benchmark for vocal ability and artistic innovation in the genre.

## Notable For
- **Nicknames**: Known globally as the "Princess of R&B" and "Queen of Urban Pop."
- **Genre Pioneering**: A key architect of the hip-hop soul and neo-soul movements.
- **Awards**: Recipient of the MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video and Best Video from a Film.
- **Dual Career**: Successfully balanced a high-profile singing career with a significant acting portfolio in film and television.
- **Record Labels**: Associated with major industry players including Atlantic, Jive, Universal, Virgin, and Blackground Records.
- **Longevity**: Maintained a professional career from 1989 until her death in 2001.
- **Posthumous Impact**: Continued relevance through releases like "I Care 4 U" and enduring influence on modern R&B.
- **Cultural Icon**: Recognized as a fashion and style icon whose influence extended beyond music into broader pop culture.

## Body

### Early Life and Identity
Aaliyah Dana Haughton was born on January 16, 1979, in the United States. She was an American citizen and a member of the human species, specifically the *Homo sapiens* genus. Her professional name was Aaliyah, though she was also known by the aliases "Baby Girl," "Aaliyah Haughton," and "Babygirl." She stood 171.0 cm tall and was recognized by numerous identifiers across global databases, including ISNI 0000000059585374 and VIAF 35384254. Her career began in 1989 and continued until her death in 2001.

### Musical Career and Genre Evolution
Aaliyah's musical output spanned a wide array of genres, primarily focusing on contemporary R&B, hip-hop soul, and neo-soul. She also recorded within the realms of pop music, funk, soul, rhythm and blues, and urban contemporary. Her work was instrumental in the development of hip-hop soul, a subgenre that fused R&B singing with hip-hop musical production, which was most popular during the early and mid-1990s. She also contributed to the neo-soul movement, which sought to return to the roots of soul music, and the alternative R&B scene. Her music was characterized by a blend of electronic elements, danceable rhythms, and vocal prowess.

### Record Label Affiliations
Aaliyah's career was supported by a diverse roster of record labels. She was signed to **Blackground Records**, an American label founded in 1993. She also worked with **Atlantic Records**, a historic label founded in 1947 by Ahmet Ertegün and Herb Abramson, which operates as a subsidiary of Warner Music Group. Additionally, she was affiliated with **Jive Records**, known for its focus on hip-hop and R&B, and **Universal Records**, a US label active from 1995 to 2006. Her international reach extended to **Virgin Records**, a British label founded in 1972 by Richard Branson, which later became part of Universal Music Group. These partnerships allowed her music to be distributed globally and positioned her within the major corporate structures of the phonographic industry.

### Acting and Performance
Beyond her singing career, Aaliyah worked as an actor in dramatic and comic productions. She appeared in films, television, theatre, and radio, utilizing her skills as a film actor to expand her artistic portfolio. Her acting career was a significant part of her identity, distinguishing her from artists who focused solely on music. She was also recognized as a model, employed to display and promote products, and served as a visual aid in the fashion industry. Her work as a dancer involved using her body to express herself through movement, further enhancing her stage and screen presence.

### Awards and Recognition
Aaliyah received significant industry recognition for her contributions to music and film. She won the **MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video**, an annual award established in 1984. She also received the **MTV Video Music Award for Best Video from a Film**, highlighting her success in the intersection of cinema and music. These awards underscored her impact on the visual and auditory aspects of the entertainment industry.

### Legacy and Posthumous Releases
Following her death on August 25, 2001, Aaliyah's legacy continued to grow. The single **"I Care 4 U"** was released as a posthumous work, ensuring her music remained accessible to fans. Her influence on the music industry is evident in the continued popularity of the genres she helped define, such as hip-hop soul and neo-soul. She is remembered as a pioneer who broke barriers for female artists in R&B and hip-hop. Her work period, spanning from 1989 to 2001, was marked by a rapid ascent to stardom and a lasting impact on the cultural landscape.

### Digital Presence and Identifiers
Aaliyah's digital footprint is extensive, with identifiers across numerous platforms. She has a presence on **Twitter** (@AaliyahHaughton), **Instagram** (@aaliyah), and **YouTube** (Channel ID: UCOHeswRskPYl7ZhJ-2B3abA). Her music is cataloged on **Spotify**, **Apple Music**, **Deezer**, and **SoundCloud**. She is listed in major databases such as **MusicBrainz** (ID: bc85da58-52d9-457d-ae8d-5d8d4ec870a9), **Discogs**, and **AllMusic**. Her Wikipedia page has a sitelink count of 76, indicating her widespread documentation across languages and platforms. She is also associated with the **IMDb** (ID: nm0004691) for her acting work and has a **Library of Congress** authority ID (no99012418).

### Personal Details and Trivia
Aaliyah was born in 1979 and died in 2001, living a life of 22 years. Her full name, Aaliyah Dana Haughton, is recorded in various authority files including the **GND** (124241441) and **BNF** (13967222x). She was educated at institutions linked to Q5266008. Her professional life was characterized by her roles as a singer, actress, model, and dancer. She was a citizen of the United States and her work was primarily based in North America. Her legacy is preserved through various media, including her signature (AaliyahSignature.svg) and official website (http://aaliyah.com/).

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