Today marks singer/actress Aaliyah's 42nd birthday (16/1/1979.)
The "One In A Million" star perished in a tragic accident that claimed the lives of nine people back in 2001.
Aaliyah Dana Haughton started her showbiz career at the age of 10 on talent show Star Search. At the age of just 12, she signed a record deal and recorded her first album at 14.
Age Ain't Nothing but a Number was released in 1994 and produced by R.Kelly - one of the most successful artists of the time.
Kelly became Aaliyah's mentor and the pair grew close. Even though Aaliyah was just 15 when her album was released and Kelly was 27, the two married.
Vibe magazine later revealed a marriage certificate that listed the couple married on August 31, 1994, in Sheraton Gateway Suites in Rosemont, Illinois. Aaliyah was listed as 18 on the certificate; the illegal marriage was annulled in February 1995 by her parents.
After the marriage was annulled, Aaliyah's career continued to flourish.
Her sophomore album "One In A Million" was produced by Missy Elliot and Timberland. The album spawned hits such as "4 Page Letter" "Hot Like Fire" and "If Your Girl Only Knew."
Aaliyah branched out into acting, appearing in Romeo Must Die and filming horror movie Queen of the Damned. She was also known for her incredible dance moves, as seen in videos like "Try Again."
The beauty was on the tip of super stardom.
But just months after the release of her self-titled third album, Aaliyah jetted to the Bahamas. She was set to finish filming her video for her track, "Rock The Boat." She was heading back to Miami on the evening of Saturday August 25, 2001.
She boarded a 10-seat twin-engine Cessna 402B private jet bound for Opa-Locka, Florida along with seven members of her crew.
The star was accompanied by record label executives Douglas Kratz, 28, Gina Smith, 30, Keith Wallace, 49, bodyguard Scott Gallin, 41, hairstylists Anthony Dodd, 34, and Eric Forman, 29 and make-up artist Christopher Maldonado, 32.
The plane was late arriving on Abaco Island, and the group were said to have been anxious to get going so they could make it back to Miami for the evening.
Tragedy struck less than a minute after take off when the jet fell from the sky and plummeted to the ground just 200 feet (60 m) from the runway.
Aaliyah was among six passengers who died at the scene, while three others died hours after the crash.
An investigation by America's National Transportation Safety Board concluded the plane had been overloaded at the time of take off.
After her death, her album shot back to the top of charts months after its release and remains one of the most critically acclaimed R&B records of all time.
Fans remembered the much loved singer today - with "Aaliyah" trending number one on Twitter only an hour into her birthday.
"Happy birthday to the beautiful, talented, inspirational Aaliyah," one fan wrote online.
"Happy 42nd Birthday Aaliyah!!!! Your impact and influence is undeniable and you were definitely One In A Million. The best thing is you stayed true to self and always remained humble," a second added.
"Happy Birthday to a beautiful queen named Aaliyah Haughton," a third chimed in.
Aaliyah shares her birthday with her idol - fellow singer Sade.
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