10 Great Aaliyah Moments

Her influence is very much alive.

Updated 12 years ago, January 16, 2013

Aaliyah would have been 34 years old today if not for the tragic 2001 airplane crash that claimed her life while in the Bahamas to film the video for “Rock the Boat.” Tributes and appreciation for Aaliyah have not slowed down since then, with close peers of hers such as Missy Elliott and Timbaland singing her praises. In more recent years, Drake has repeatedly named her one of his favorite artists and her vocals are very frequently sampled. Her influence is very much alive. Today, in celebration of her birth, here are 10 great moments with the “Princess of R&B”:

1. More Than A Woman

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oAeoOcpUS4&w=584&h=390%5D

This is my pick for Aaliyah’s best song. Cool video, too.

2. Any time Aaliyah danced

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qz4DT4lG-7g&w=584&h=390%5D

As this video ably demonstrates, Aaliyah was always smooth and effortless with it.

3. Teenaged Aaliyah performs “Age Ain’t Nothin But A Number” On All That in ’94

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVbtQ5Yj0Is&w=584&h=390%5D

Her voice sounds good. This was in the R. Kelly days…

4. Aaliyah joins Missy Elliott and Timbaland on stage for “Supafly”

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbAt-Hk3-3w&w=584&h=390%5D

Let me go to this concert.

5. Aaliyah is youngest-ever performer at the Oscars

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-I1LzokFTc&w=584&h=390%5D

She performs “Journey to the Past” from the Anastasia soundtrack.

6. Aaliyah does “If Your Girl Only Knew” live at the Apollo

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7zW0Swgoq4&w=584&h=390%5D

This was in ’96. I’d say if your man is creeping with Aaliyah, y’all are breaking up.

7. Aaliyah and her sexy voice on MTV’s Stripped

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JegTfFFPFpA&w=584&h=390%5D

Aaliyah liked to take baths and read Harry Potter.

8. Aaliyah and Beyoncé interacted in real life on camera

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnBMWN4aw30&w=584&h=390%5D

They agreed that D’Angelo is fine.

9. Aaliyah Rocks Out “Try Again” Live With Timbaland

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp6Lf0xn1rU&w=584&h=390%5D

Clad in black leather and chains, and joined on stage by one of her most memorable collaborators, Timbaland, Aaliyah does justice to one of her top bangers.