I cannot believe it’s been 21 years since the tragic passing of Aaliyah.

James Dean. Ritchie Valens. Kurt Cobain. As a child, you grow up hearing about stars who died tragically young. However, legends from a different era, so you do not connect with the sense of loss.

This all changed for me when R&B singer Aaliyah was taken from the fans of my generation.

On August 25, 2001, 22-year-old R&B singer Aaliyah died along with eight others when the private plane she had chartered to Miami crashed in the Bahamas. 

I will never forget the day we lost this amazing star tragically, at the height of her stardom.

A recent college graduate, I was living with a friend as I look for a job and ultimately, an entry point into a career. My friend had a job, so while she was out at work, I jump on her laptop mounted against a wall to see what was going on in the world.

Logging in and I belt out: “NO! GOD NO!”

The first thing startles me. “Aaliyah Haughton dead in plane crash.” They use a photo of her from the MTV awards. It’s a beautiful black and black spaghetti dress – Aaliyah’s smile so bright, like she had years ahead of her to enjoy.

In a state of devastation, I literally spend months trying to make sense of this loss. Questioning God: why did you have to take us from her? My inability to process grief, I wonder why Aaliyah’s ultimate fate isn’t swapped with a celebrity who isn’t as beloved?

Aaliyah’s Legacy

A few days later, while the world is trying to process the loss, I’m in Brooklyn now sitting on my grandmother’s bed. For some reason, she’s watching MTV and they’re covering the plane crash. Several celebrities speak to how amazing Aaliyah was on this earth and now, as one of heaven’s angels.

A photo of hers fills my grandmother’s television screen. My grandmother asks, “Sabine, is she a star?” I answer yes, she was a star. My grandmother was a Haitian woman who spoke very little English, but she knew that Aaliyah was tied to legacy, just off her photography.

Aaliyah’s Different Lane

Brandy Norwood’s song, “Should I Go” dedicates a verse to Aaliyah:

This industry was more like a different world
When it was just me, Monica, and Babygirl

Aaliyah, I never got to tell you how much you meant
I wish you and me both was sitting here working with Tim
Just to be in the presence of people that you affected on a personal level
Just makes me stop for a second
You were such a blessing
You only answered one of my questions

Should I go?
Should I stay?
I’m in control either way

Brandy’s right. There was a time where Monica, Brandy and Aaliyah were R&B.

However, Aaliyah always stood out though, as her sultry dance moves put her in a distinct, varied lane different than Brandy and Monica.

In addition, Aaliyah was always shrouded in mystery. There was always an added a layer of complexity that made me her more than an R&B and pop star.

At the time of her death, Aaliyah landed strong acting roles. I remember thinking how her trajectory through stardom made complete sense. Aaliyah’s depth made her an excellent actress: Romeo Must Die. The Queen of the Damned. These movies only but scratch the surface of the greatness that Aaliyah could’ve become.

Aaliyah’s Music

I absolutely love the music Aaliyah blessed us with.

Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number introduced us to the adult Aaliyah. While, years later, the darkness of her breakout single came to the surface, it doesn’t negate the song’s impact and the point in time that it takes Aaliyah fans to.

Four Page Letter made me want to have that great love in my life to unlock a desire that brings me to four pages of love. The video displayed an artistry in both dance and video storytelling. Folks were wondering about Ginuwine and Aaliyah’s relationship as the chemistry is palatable through the screen.

Are You that Somebody off the Dr. Doolittle soundtrack gave us a look into Aaliyah embracing her femininity. Up to this point, the young starlet embraced mid-drift shirts and baggy jeans. Our Baby girl was on finally wearing a skirt, one that displayed that beautifully slender frame in the video.

Fans got to experience the full APEX of who Aaliyah was as a star with More Than a Woman.

We Need a Resolution is one of my favorite Aaliyah. The beat was layered and dark, it is the perfect song, one that defined Aaliyah’s mysterious aura.

Rock the Boat was our final goodbye to Baby Girl. Passing away from her trip filming the Rock the Boat video, viewers see Aaliyah ascend into the light in an underwater scene. There was strange combination of serenity and foreboding.

Aaliyah, Never Another

There will never be another Aaliyah Dana Houghton. Nor would be want another.

Aaliyah brought such a unique irreplaceable energy into our lives. So deeply loved by fans, her music is the parting gift she leaves the world with. Now finally, after years of contentious dispute between her original record label and her estate, Aaliyah’s music is available on streaming platforms.

I couldn’t be happier. So as I spend the day listening to Aaliyah, I’ll remember the light that she was during her brief time with us in this world.

I’ll blast rock the boat and foolishly try to move these 44 year old hips the way Aaliyah did with flow and ease. Going through her photos on the internet, I’ll study the same smile that was taken away too soon.

Aaliyah, never will there be another. Nor do we want one.

Are you an Aaliyah fan? What’s your favorite song? Please comment below!