Aaliyah's Estate Slams 'Unscrupulous' Effort to Release Her Music 'Without Transparency'

Aaliyah.Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage Aaliyah’s estate is standing firm in their effort to protect the late singer’s legacy. “Protecting Aaliyah’s legacy is, and will always be, our focus. For 20 years we have battled behind the scenes, enduring shadowy tactics of deception with unauthorized projects targeted to tarnish,” the estate wrote in a statement on Wednesday. “We have always been confused as to why there is such a tenacity in causing more pain alongside what we already have to cope with for the rest of our lives.

Aaliyah's Ex Damon Dash Says She Wouldn't Talk About R. Kelly: 'It Was So Much Hurt for Her'

The impact of late singerAaliyah‘s time withR. Kellywhen she was a teenager was so powerful that it affected her romantic relationships afterward. In an interview withHip Hop Motivationthat aired on Jan. 10, her ex-boyfriend Damon Dash, who co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records, shared that he couldn’t watch Lifetime’s recent explosive documentary because of his connection to it. Surviving R.Kelly— which aired on Lifetime from Thursday, Jan. 3 to Saturday, Jan. 5 — features wide-ranging interviews with Kelly’s family members, former friends and colleagues, but most notably, women who claim that for decades the hit-making singer and producer used his power and influence to sexually and physically abuse women and young girls.

Aaliyah's Ex-Boyfriend Damon Dash Says It's 'Disgusting' R. Kelly Would Marry a Child

Aaliyah’sex-boyfriendDamon Dashis once again speaking out about the late singer’s relationship withR. Kelly. On Thursday,TMZpublished a preview of Dash’s interview fromSurviving R. Kelly Part II: The Reckoning— the upcoming follow-up to Lifetime’s bombshell documentary series about Kelly, 52, who is currently incarcerated andfacing chargesof sex-trafficking, sexual assault and child pornography spread throughout Brooklyn, Chicago and Minneapolis. “Aaliyah was like the sacrificial lamb for all that, bro, because she didn’t deserve none of that,” Dash, 48, said in the clip.

Aaliyah's Family Marks Late Singer's 43rd Birthday: 'We Will See You Again'

Photo: Evan Agostini/ImageDirect Aaliyah’s loved ones are keeping her memory alive more than 20 years after her death. “To You Our Love Flowers From Above Candles From The World We Will See You Again Bask In The Day God Sent You We Will See You And Your Comrades Again Not Yet, Not Yet,” theywrotein the caption. “Mom, Dad, Ra, All Who Truly Loved You and Love You Still. Forever More.”

Aaliyah's Life in Photos

01of 17 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.