Aaliyah's Life in Photos

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Aaliyah’s Early Years

Catherine McGann/Getty

Aaliyah went on to have a successful career as a Grammy-nominated artist, leading actress and style authority until her life was cut short in a plane crash.

On Aug. 25, 2001 at just 22 years old, Aaliyah died when a small, twin-engine Cessna bound for Miami crashed into a swamp shortly after takeoff in the Bahamas. She had gone to the destination to shoot a music video. Superintendent Basil Rahming of the Grand Bahama police department said thatsix people, including Aaliyah, were killedon impact, while two others died soon after.

Aaliyah’s influence has since permeated music and fashion for decades, and just days ahead of the 20th anniversary of her death, fans can finallylisten to her 1996 albumOne in a Millionon Spotify.

Here she is, posing backstage at Madison Square Garden for Lifebeat’s Urban Aid benefit concert on Oct. 5, 1995, in N.Y.C.

02of 17Aaliyah in Concert in 1997Jeffrey Mayer/WireImageThe singer and trendsetter wore Tommy Hilfiger during her 1997 Aaliyah at The Forum show in Inglewood, California.

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Aaliyah in Concert in 1997

Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage

The singer and trendsetter wore Tommy Hilfiger during her 1997 Aaliyah at The Forum show in Inglewood, California.

03of 17Aaliyah in Concert in 1997Jeffrey Mayer/WireImageAaliyah was always ahead of her time when it came to music and fashion. Her style influences still live on today, from strappy cut-out tops to bold, baggy leather pants.Here’s another look from her 1997 show at The Forum.

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Aaliyah was always ahead of her time when it came to music and fashion. Her style influences still live on today, from strappy cut-out tops to bold, baggy leather pants.

Here’s another look from her 1997 show at The Forum.

04of 17Aaliyah in N.Y.C. in 1997KMazur/WireImageThe star took the stage during TNT Presents A Gift of Song in N.Y.C. on Jan. 1, 1997.

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Aaliyah in N.Y.C. in 1997

KMazur/WireImage

The star took the stage during TNT Presents A Gift of Song in N.Y.C. on Jan. 1, 1997.

05of 17Aaliyah on The Tonight Show in 1997Margaret Norton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via GettyShe served as musical guest onThe Tonight Show with Jay Lenoon Feb. 18, 1997.

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Aaliyah on The Tonight Show in 1997

Margaret Norton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

She served as musical guest onThe Tonight Show with Jay Lenoon Feb. 18, 1997.

06of 17Aaliyah at the Race to Erase MS in 1997Patrick McMullan via GettyChina Chow,Gwen Stefani, Kidada Jones, Aaliyah and Rashida Jones rocked head-to-toe Tommy for the 5th annual Race to Erase MS at the Century Plaza Hotel on Nov. 14, 1997, in L.A.

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Aaliyah at the Race to Erase MS in 1997

Patrick McMullan via Getty

China Chow,Gwen Stefani, Kidada Jones, Aaliyah and Rashida Jones rocked head-to-toe Tommy for the 5th annual Race to Erase MS at the Century Plaza Hotel on Nov. 14, 1997, in L.A.

07of 17Aaliyah at the Soul Train Music Awards in 1998Chris Walter/WireImageAaliyah and close friend and collaborator Missy Elliott arriving at the 12th annual Soul Train Music Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in L.A. in 1998.

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Aaliyah at the Soul Train Music Awards in 1998

Chris Walter/WireImage

Aaliyah and close friend and collaborator Missy Elliott arriving at the 12th annual Soul Train Music Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in L.A. in 1998.

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Aaliyah at the Urbanworld Film Festival

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Aaliyah with ‘NSYNC

10of 17Aaliyah at the Romeo Must Die PremiereVince Bucci/AFP via GettyCo-stars Jet Li and Aaliyah arriving for the premiere of their filmRomeo Must Dieon March 20, 2000, in L.A.

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Aaliyah at the Romeo Must Die Premiere

Vince Bucci/AFP via Getty

Co-stars Jet Li and Aaliyah arriving for the premiere of their filmRomeo Must Dieon March 20, 2000, in L.A.

11of 17Aaliyah with Jay LenoPaul Drinkwater/Network/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via GettyYears later she sat down for an interview with Leno on April 26, 2000.

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Aaliyah with Jay Leno

Paul Drinkwater/Network/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Years later she sat down for an interview with Leno on April 26, 2000.

12of 17Aaliyah at Diddy’s 4th of July PartyPatrick McMullan via GettyNatane Adcock, Damon Dash, Aaliyah, JAY-Z, P. Diddy andJennifer Lopezposed at Diddy’s 4th of July party on July 2, 2000, in East Hampton, New York.

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Aaliyah at Diddy’s 4th of July Party

Natane Adcock, Damon Dash, Aaliyah, JAY-Z, P. Diddy andJennifer Lopezposed at Diddy’s 4th of July party on July 2, 2000, in East Hampton, New York.

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Aaliyah at the 2000 VMAs

Steve Azzara/Corbis via Getty

14of 17Aaliyah at the 2001 Essence AwardsEvan Agostini/ImageDirectStunning in a layered, caramel-colored gown, Aaliyah arrived at the 2001 Essence Awards at Madison Square Garden in N.Y.C.

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Aaliyah at the 2001 Essence Awards

Evan Agostini/ImageDirect

Stunning in a layered, caramel-colored gown, Aaliyah arrived at the 2001 Essence Awards at Madison Square Garden in N.Y.C.

15of 17Aaliyah and Damon DashFrank Micelotta/GettyAaliyah and Damon Dash, who met in 2000 and dated until the star died, at Roseland Ballroom following the world premiere of the 20th Century Fox filmPlanet of the Apesat the Ziegfeld Theater in N.Y.C. in 2001.

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Aaliyah and Damon Dash

Frank Micelotta/Getty

Aaliyah and Damon Dash, who met in 2000 and dated until the star died, at Roseland Ballroom following the world premiere of the 20th Century Fox filmPlanet of the Apesat the Ziegfeld Theater in N.Y.C. in 2001.

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Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

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source: people.com