Aaliyah, the acclaimed R&B singer, songwriter and actress, died in a plane crash off the Bahamas 10 years ago today (25th August 2011). The 22-year-old Brooklyn-born star released her first album 'Age Ain't Nothing but a Number' at the age of 14, reports US Weekly Magazine.
The singer, whose debut album was produced by R Kelly, released her second 'One in a Million' in 1996. She collaborated with Timbaland and Missy Elliot, two unknown artists who would become two of the biggest names in hip-hop. After gaining considerable success in the music business, Aaliyah took up acting lessons and landed a lead role in the 2000 flick 'Romeo Must Die'. She also starred as a vampire queen in 'Queen of the Damned'. Her final days were spent shooting the video for 'Rock the Boat', a highly anticipated single from her self-titled third album. After deciding to fly back from the Bahamas to Florida, the singer and her entourage boarded a plane that crashed shortly after take-off, killing the entire group. It was speculated the plane came down because it was overloaded with equipment and may have been carrying more passengers than its legal capacity.
Aaliyah's funeral was held on 31st August 2001 at the St. Ignatius Loyala Roman Catholic Church in Manhattan. The mourners included Sean 'P Diddy' Combs, Lil Kim, Jay Z and MIKE TYSON.