Hip-Hop Reacts to the 15th Anniversary of Aaliyah’s Death
Today, Aug. 25, marks the 15-year anniversary of the death of R&B songstress Aaliyah. With a myriad of hits, a signature voice, a gorgeous face and cosigns from some major industry heavyweights, Aaliyah became a household name during the new millennium's R&B and soul renaissance. From dance tracks like "Rock the Boat" "Try Again" and "More Than A Woman" to slow jams like "4 Page Letter," "One in a Million" and "Come Over," Aaliyah could play the good girl or sexpot effortlesly, making her infinitely appealing. At the height of her career, she was even referred to as the "Queen of R&B."
Aaliyah Haughton's career was cut short at the age of 22 when she and eight of her crew members died in a plane crash on her way back from a video shoot the Bahamas. The shock of her unexpected and untimely death sent waves of grief through the music world. Some of her closest collaborators like Timbaland and Missy Elliott dedicated works to her for years after. Blackground Records released Aaliyah's posthumous single "I Miss You," along with a tribute video that starred some of entertainment's biggest names at the time: DMX, Rosario Dawson, Toni Braxton, Static Major, Missy Elliott, Tweet, Queen Latifah and Lil Kim.
Now, 15 years later, Aaliyah is gone but not forgotten. Rappers like J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Drake and more have eulogized Aaliyah on wax and helped keep her legacy alive for the next generation. As hip-hop recognizes the anniversary of baby girl's passing, rappers are sharing their condolences on social media. Check out who in hip-hop is memorializing Aaliyah today in the gallery above.