Aaliyah biography
Life and career
1979-1990: Early life
Aaliyah Dana Haughton was born on January 16, 1979, in Brooklyn, New York City, New York. Born of African American and Native American descent, she was the second and youngest child of Diane and Michael Haughton. At a young age, Aaliyah was enrolled for voice lessons by her mother. She attended a Catholic school, Gesu Elementary, where she received a part in the stage play
Annie in first grade; from then on, she was determined to be an entertainer. Aaliyah's mother was a vocalist, and her uncle, Barry Hankerson, was an entertainment lawyer who was previously married to Gladys Knight. She then auditioned for several record labels and appeared in concerts alongside Knight at age 11.
1991-1995: Age Ain't Nothing But a Number
After Hankerson signed a distribution deal with Jive Records, he signed Aaliyah to his Blackground Records label at the age of 12. Hankerson later introduced her to recording artist and producer R. Kelly, Released in June 1994, the album peaked at number 18 on the
Billboard 200 and sold over two million copies in the United States. Aaliyah's debut single, "Back & Forth", topped the
Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for three weeks and was certified Gold by the RIAA. The second single, a cover of The Isley Brothers' "At Your Best (You Are Love)", peaked at number six on the
Billboard Hot 100 and was also certified Gold by the RIAA. The title track, "Age Ain't Nothing But a Number", peaked at number 75 on the Hot 100.
With the release of Age Ain't Nothing But a Number, rumors began to circulate of a relationship between Aaliyah and Kelly. Shortly after, rumors of a secret marriage began with the release of "Age Ain't Nothing But a Number" and the adult content that Kelly had written for Aaliyah. Vibe magazine later revealed a marriage certificate that listed the couple allegedly married on August 31, 1994, in Sheraton Gateway Suites in Rosemont, Illinois. The pair continued to deny marriage allegations, stating that neither was married.
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