I was thirteen when One in a Million came out and could not quite believe someone slightly older than me was so commanding and confident. I was entranced, fascinated and utterly shocked (in a good way).ĪLL OTHER PHOTOS/IMAGES (unless credited otherwise): Getty Images The leap from her debut to One in a Million took me by surprise and confirmed my love for Aaliyah.

I have heard nothing like Aaliyah since her debut album in 1994 and, at a time when there are few stars and genuine personalities Aaliyah is a star that still burns and continues to guide artists.

Although Aaliyah's fashion changed from a typical teenage look to something more grown-up and varied the seeds were planted from the start and that authoritative sense of being and confidence was there. I still listen to these songs today and look around at the modern scene. Still a teenager this was a young woman making her way through music and releasing big singles like If Your Girl Only Knew and One in a Million. It is an album that sounds incredible and, whilst her best was still ahead, she was fifteen at the time and the fact an album of that confidence was out in the world blew people away! We only had to wait until 1996 before her second album, One in a Million, was released and, yet again, it was a step forward. The breathy vocals and restrained performances had power and passion but there was so much seductiveness and beauty. Since her debut – Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number – in 1994 this rare and very special creature was being taken to heart and producing some of the most beautiful music around. I had grown up around powerhouse singers like Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin but there was something unique and spectacular about Aaliyah. I bought Aaliyah’s eponymous album – it was released on 7th July, 2001 – and I remember following the songs and being blown away by it! I had followed female R&B singers since the 1990s and was a big fan of girl groups like TLC and Destiny’s Child. I was just about to leave for university and heard the news come through. Rock the Boat is a cut from her third and final album – Aaliyah gained a huge amount of acclaim and an extra weight of sadness following her death. after wrapping up the video shoot for her single, Rock the Boat. The plane was overloaded and should not have taken off - a tragic and horrendous loss the music industry is still feeling. Aaliyah and her entourage were keen to depart back to the U.S. She died on 25th August, 2001 aged twenty-two (she was born on 16th January, 1979) after a twin-engine Cessna 402B she was on crashed shortly after takeoff killing everyone on board. To Aaliyah and everything she gave to music.

Aaliyah age 2018