Aaliyah dies

# Aaliyah

# Hip-hop

# R&B

# Timbaland

25 August 2001: Number 42 in our series of the 50 key events in the history of R&B and hip-hop music

Untimely death is always tragic, but the timing of Aaliyah's passing at 22 was doubly poignant because it occurred months after the release of her greatest album. The self-titled third LP showed the former "street but sweet" teen star had grown up. Her collaborations with Timbaland gave songs such as We Need a Resolution a sophisticated, innovative touch. They also changed the face of R&B for ever. When she died in a plane crash in August 2001, she was on the cusp of something remarkable.

Contributor

Rosie Swash

The GuardianTramp

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