Aaliyah

Aaliyah made a name for herself in the world of ‘90s contemporary R&B amongst other mononym hit-making singers such as Brandy and Monica. She displayed a fashion sense and musicality that artists continue to try and emulate. Born Aaliyah Dana Haughton on January 16, 1979 in Brooklyn, New York, she was raised in Detroit, Michigan. In 1989, she appeared on the TV talent show Star Search when she was only ten years old. Her uncle Barry Hankerson started the label Blackground Records and introduced Aaliyah to hit-maker R. Kelly. Aside from the cover of The Isley Brothers ballad “At Your Best (You Are Love)”, Kellz produced and wrote every song on Aaliyah’s 1994 multi-platinum debut album Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number, which was released through Blackground Records and Jive Records. Aaliyah’s introduction came via the New Jack Swing single “Back & Forth”, which peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the R&B chart before achieving gold status. “At Your Best (You Are Love)” was released as the second single and also achieved gold status after it peaked at #2 on the R&B chart and #6 on the Billboard Hot 100. Following reports of an improper relationship between Aaliyah and R. K…