Aaliyah

 Aaliyah Dana Haughton (/a:'li:@/ ah-LEE-@ January 16, 1979 - August 25 2001) was an American actress and singer. Her name has been linked to helping to redefine contemporary R&B, pop and hip music, earning her monikers of the "Princess of R&B" as well as the "Queen of Urban Pop".Born in Brooklyn but raised in Detroit, she first gained recognition at the age of 10, when she appeared on the television show Star Search and performed in concert with Gladys Knight. At the age of 12, Aaliyah signed with Jive Records and her uncle Barry Hankerson's Blackground Records. Hankerson introduced her to R. Kelly who was her mentor as well as the lead songwriter/producer of her debut album Age Ain't Nothing But a Number. The album sold 3 million copies in the United States and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Aaliyah was signed to Atlantic Records after Kelly was accused of cheating on her. Her second album, One in a Million was a huge success, selling three million copies in America and more than 8000 copies across the globe. Aaliyah was the first actor to appear in Romeo Must Die, her debut film. Aaliyah provided the soundtrack to Romeo Must Die. This resulted in the hit single "Try Again". The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 solely on airplay