Aaliyah

 Aaliyah Dana Hathon (/a/'li/@/ ah/LEE@; from January 16 1979 to August 25 in 2001) is an American actor and singer. She is credited with the role she played in redefining the current R&B and pop music. Born in Brooklyn however, she was raised in Detroit, Aaliyah Dana Haughton was first famous at the age of 10 when she was on Star Search and performed alongside Gladys Knight. Aaliyah was signed to Jive Records at the age of 12 and was signed by her uncle Barry Hankerson's Blackground Records at 12. Hankerson introduced her to R. Kelly who was her mentor and the lead writer and producer of her debut album Ain’t Nothing But a Number. The album sold three million copies across the United States and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). After reports of an illegal union with Kelly, Aaliyah ended her contract with Jive and signed with Atlantic Records.Aaliyah worked with record producer Timbaland as well as Missy Elliott for her follow-up album, One in a Million that sold three million copies in the United States and more than eight million copies around the world. Aaliyah was the first actress to be seen in Romeo Must Die, her debut film. Aaliyah made a contribution to the soundtrack of Romeo Must Die, which led to the release of the single "Try Again". The song reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 solely on airplay