Aaliyah Featured On ABC News’ ‘Superstar’ Series
Aaliyah Dana Haughton — better known simply as Aaliyah — helped redefine R&B in the ’90s and early 2000s with her mix of old-school and new-school sound and her effortless…
Aaliyah Dana Haughton -- better known simply as Aaliyah -- helped redefine R&B in the '90s and early 2000s with her mix of old-school and new-school sound and her effortless cool vibe. She continues to inspire and influence music, fashion and culture, decades after her untimely death in an August 2001 plane crash. She is the subject of Superstar: Aaliyah, an ABC News one-hour special that follows her life, music and enduring legacy.
The special explores Aaliyah's career as a chart-topping musician, actress (she co-starred in 2000's Romeo Must Die and 2002's Queen of the Damned) and fashion trendsetter. The program sheds light on the circumstances of her underage marriage to R. Kelly, who has since been convicted as a sex offender. The special also focuses on how Aaliyah’s relevance continues as a new generation experiences her music decades later.
The program features exclusive interviews with those who were close to Aaliyah, including music executive Damon Dash, her former boyfriend; Barry Hankerson, her uncle; and recording engineer and producer Jimmy Douglass, who worked with Aaliyah in the studio. ABC News also has exclusive interviews with recording artists who cite Aaliyah as an influence, including Justine Skye, Sevyn Streeter, and will.i.am. There are also exclusive interviews with fashion designers Karl Kani, who describes what it was like to style Aaliyah, and designer and stylist Aleali May, who reflects on Aaliyah as an enduring sartorial muse. Additionally, Beasley Media's own Tune Up Man from 105.9 KISS FM in Detroit was interviewed for the special. He told us that he interviewed Aaliyah a number of times, starting in the early '90s. "She was a superstar in the making. You could just feel in her spirit she would do big things."
He added, "Her clothing style has inspired several artists that came after her. She was just a special talent. Her confidence, focus, and swag was really impressive to witness." But, he noted, "The interview brought back some great memories... and sad ones also, most definitely." Superstar: Aaliyah airs Wednesday, June 14 (10:00-11:00 pm ET), on ABC. It will be available to stream the next day on Hulu.
6 Ways Aaliyah Influenced Pop Culture
Aaliyah was only 22 when she passed away. But in her short life, she greatly influenced the world and pop culture.
6 Ways Aaliyah Influenced Pop Culture
(Photo by Chris Weeks/Liaison)With her signature hairstyle - We all remember Aaliyah's long locks that always had a deep part on one side and always covered part of her face. Many copied it then, and many still copy it now.
6 Ways Aaliyah Influenced Pop Culture
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images.She influenced others that came after her - Many famous artists today, like Rihanna, Drake, Alicia Keys, and Ciara, have discussed Aaliyah's influence.
6 Ways Aaliyah Influenced Pop Culture
(Photo by George De Sota/Getty Images)She blended Hip-Hip and R&B perfectly - Many current artists mix hip-hop beats and R&B vocals, but Aaliyah was one of the first to do it successfully.
6 Ways Aaliyah Influenced Pop Culture
Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesWith Her Style - Aaliyah's distinct style, part sexy/ part tomboy, was unique, and it's still copied today in hip-hop and pop culture.
6 Ways Aaliyah Influenced Pop Culture
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images.She brought it with her choreography - How many of you stayed up late to practice Aaliyah's choreography from "Are You That Somebody?" She werked it out in all her videos, and to this day, she's still one of the best dancers in the game.
6 Ways Aaliyah Influenced Pop Culture
Photo by George De Sota/Liaison)She Helped Elevate Catapult Missy Elliott and Timbaland - The duo worked with Aaliyah on hits like "If Your Girl Only Knew," and it helped put their unique sound and style on the map.
