Editing Aaliyah (section)

==Career==
===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.<ref>{{harvnb|Farley|2002|p=35|Ref=none}}</ref><ref name="Telegraph">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1338606/Aaliyah.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1338606/Aaliyah.html |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Aaliyah|date=November 22, 2001|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=May 10, 2009 | location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Hankerson later introduced her to recording artist and producer [[R. Kelly]],<ref name="The Independent" /> who became Aaliyah's mentor, as well as lead songwriter and producer of her first album, recorded when she was 14.<ref name="Allmusic" /><ref name="Telegraph" /> Aaliyah's debut album, ''[[Age Ain't Nothing but a Number]]'', was released under her mononym "Aaliyah", by [[Jive Records|Jive]] and [[Blackground Records]] on May 24, 1994; it debuted at number 24 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart, selling 38,000 copies in its first week.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1994/BB-1994-06-11.pdf|title=Between the Bullets |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] (June 11, 1994) page 97|publisher=[[Nielsen Corporation|Nielsen Business Media]]|via=World Radio History|access-date=May 1, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100501094813/http://www.billboard.com/| archive-date=May 1, 2010 |url-status= live}}</ref> It peaked at number 18 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and it was certified two times [[music recording sales certification|Platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]].<ref name="Aaliyah albums">{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=aaliyah|chart=Billboard 200}}|title=Artist Chart History – Aaliyah – Albums|magazine= Billboard |publisher=[[Nielsen Company|Nielsen Business Media]]|access-date=July 23, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090802031044/http://www.billboard.com/| archive-date= August 2, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref name="RIAA">{{cite web|url=http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&artist=aaliyah&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |title=RIAA – Gold & Platinum |publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of America]] |access-date=April 14, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713200457/http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&artist=aaliyah&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |archive-date=July 13, 2015}}</ref> To date the album has sold over 3 million copies in the US.<ref name=USSales/> In Canada, the album was certified gold by [[Music Canada]] for 50,000 copies in shipments.<ref name="CRIA">{{cite web|url=http://www.cria.ca/cert_db_search.php |title=Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA): Certification Results |publisher=[[Canadian Recording Industry Association]] |access-date=May 17, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601023939/http://www.cria.ca/cert_db_search.php |archive-date=June 1, 2009 }}</ref> In 2014, ''[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]'' magazine estimated that the album had sold six million copies globally.<ref>{{cite web|last=King|first=Aliya S.|url=http://www.vibe.com/2014/08/what-millennials-should-know-about-aaliyah-age-aint-nothing-but-a-number/|title=What Millennials Should Know About... Aaliyah's 'Age Ain't Nothing But A Number' LP|work=[[Vibe Magazine|Vibe]]|date=August 26, 2014|access-date=May 10, 2022|archive-date=September 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929083303/https://www.vibe.com/2014/08/what-millennials-should-know-about-aaliyah-age-aint-nothing-but-a-number|url-status=live}}</ref>

Upon its release, ''Age Ain't Nothing But a Number'' received generally favorable reviews from music critics. Some writers noted that Aaliyah's "silky vocals" and "sultry voice" blended with Kelly's [[new jack swing]] helped define [[contemporary R&B|R&B]] in the 1990s.<ref name="Entertainment Weekly">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,302670,00.html |title=Age Ain't Nothing But a Number – Music Review |last=Ehrlich |first=Dimitri |date=June 17, 1994 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=May 17, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090421095311/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C302670%2C00.html |archive-date=April 21, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Slant Magazine">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/music_review.asp?ID=424 |title=Aaliyah: Age Ain't Nothing But a Number |last=Cinquemani |first=Sal |year=2001 |magazine=[[Slant Magazine|Slant]] |access-date=May 17, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090509225004/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/music_review.asp?ID=424 |archive-date=May 9, 2009 }}</ref> Her sound was also compared to that of female quartet [[En Vogue]].<ref name="Entertainment Weekly" /><ref name="RSguide">{{harvnb|Brackett|Hoard|2004|p=1|Ref=none}}</ref> Christopher John Farley of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine called the album a "beautifully restrained work", noting that Aaliyah's "girlish, breathy vocals rode calmly on R. Kelly's rough beats".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,172511,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101030135021/http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,172511,00.html|archive-date=October 30, 2010|title=Siren of Subtlety|last=Farley|first=Christopher John|date=August 26, 2001|magazine=Time|access-date=September 14, 2009}}</ref> [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] of [[AllMusic]] felt that the album had its "share of filler", but described the singles as "slyly seductive".<ref name="Allmusic" /> He also wrote that the songs on the album were "frequently better" than that of Kelly's second studio album, ''[[12 Play]]''.<ref name="Allmusic" /> The single "At Your Best (You Are Love)" was criticized by ''Billboard'' for being out of place on the album and for its length.<ref name="AANBANBillboard">{{cite magazine|last=Partridge|first=Kenneth|date=May 23, 2014|title=Aaliyah, 'Age Ain't Nothing But A Number' at 20: Classic Track-by-Track Review|magazine=Billboard|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6099210/aaliyah-age-aint-nothing-but-a-number-at-20-classic-track-by|access-date=February 20, 2020|archive-date=August 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806014227/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6099210/aaliyah-age-aint-nothing-but-a-number-at-20-classic-track-by|url-status=live}}</ref>

Aaliyah's debut single, "[[Back & Forth (Aaliyah song)|Back & Forth]]", peaked at number 5 on the Hot 100 and topped the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]] chart for three weeks.<ref name="Billboard 2001">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/78511/chart-beat-bonus|title=Chart Beat Bonus|date=August 31, 2001|magazine= Billboard |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140930091726/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/78511/chart-beat-bonus |access-date=May 11, 2022|archive-date=September 30, 2014 }}</ref> Two more singles charted: a cover of [[the Isley Brothers]]' "[[At Your Best (You Are Love)]]" peaked at number 6 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]],<ref name="Billboard 2001" /> and the album's title track, "[[Age Ain't Nothing but a Number (song)|Age Ain't Nothing but a Number]]", peaked at number 75.<ref name="Billboard 2001" /> Additionally, she released "[[The Thing I Like]]" as part of the soundtrack to the 1994 film ''[[A Low Down Dirty Shame]]''.<ref name="Farley">{{harvnb|Farley|2002|p=103|Ref=none}}</ref>

===1996–2000: ''One in a Million'' and ''Romeo Must Die''===
{{Listen|filename=Aaliyah - If Your Girl Only Knew sample.ogg|title="If Your Girl Only Knew" (1996)|description=The first single released from her second studio album, "[[If Your Girl Only Knew]]" was described as a sassy, organ-infused song.<ref name="Slant" /> Aaliyah was noted for having "smoother, more seductive, and stronger" singing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/r239065|title=One in a Million – Overview|last=Stanley|first=Leo|website=AllMusic|access-date=June 21, 2009}}</ref>|format=[[Ogg]]|pos=right}}

In 1996, Aaliyah left [[Jive Records]] and signed with [[Atlantic Records]].<ref name="The Independent" /> She worked with record producers [[Timbaland]] and [[Missy Elliott]], who contributed to her second studio album, ''[[One in a Million (Aaliyah album)|One in a Million]]''.<ref name="AMG rock" /> Elliott recalled Timbaland and herself being nervous to work with Aaliyah, since Aaliyah had already released her successful debut album while Elliott and Timbaland were just starting out. Elliott also feared she would be a diva, but reflected that Aaliyah "came in and was so warming; she made us immediately feel like family."<ref name=MissyElliott2012>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1694185/missy-elliott-aaliyah-rapfix-live/|title=Missy Elliot Remembers Aaliyah|publisher=MTV|date=November 20, 2012|access-date=August 22, 2014|archive-date=August 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826121347/http://www.mtv.com/news/1694185/missy-elliott-aaliyah-rapfix-live/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The album yielded the lead single "[[If Your Girl Only Knew]]", which peaked at number 11 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref name="Billboard 2001" /> and topped the ''Billboard'' [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]] for two weeks.<ref name="Billboard 2001" /> It also generated the singles "[[Hot Like Fire]]" and "[[4 Page Letter]]". ''One in a Million'' peaked at number 18 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]],<ref name="Aaliyah albums" /> and was certified [[Recording Industry Association of America|double platinum]] by the RIAA on June 16, 1997, denoting shipments of two million copies.<ref name="RIAA" /> The album went on to sell 3 million copies in the US<ref name=USSales/> and over eight million copies worldwide.<ref name=reporter>{{cite web|author=Powers, Lindsay|date=August 25, 2011|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/aaliyah-died-10-years-today-fans-react-227684|title=Aaliyah Died 10 Years Ago Today: What Fans Say|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=May 10, 2022|archive-date=April 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428174152/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/aaliyah-died-10-years-today-fans-react-227684|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Baggs, Michael|date=August 20, 2021|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-58246480|title=Aaliyah albums streaming:'Her influence is absolutely everywhere'|work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=May 10, 2022|archive-date=May 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530091252/https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-58246480|url-status=live}}</ref> The year after her album was released, Aaliyah was featured on [[Timbaland & Magoo]]'s debut single, "[[Up Jumps da Boogie]]".<ref name="Jet">{{cite journal|date=September 10, 2001|title=Singer Aaliyah, Eight Others Die in Plane Crash in Bahamas|journal=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]|page=56|issn=0021-5996|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-7QDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA1|access-date=June 21, 2009|archive-date=September 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907050713/https://books.google.com/books?id=-7QDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA1|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1997 Aaliyah graduated with a 4.0 GPA from the [[Detroit School of Arts|Detroit High School for the Fine and Performing Arts]], where she majored in drama.<ref name="The Independent" /><ref name=usatoday01>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/2001-08-25-aaliyah.htm|title=Aaliyah: A life in the spotlight, lost far too early|last=Jones|first=Steve|date=August 28, 2001|work=[[USA Today]]|access-date=June 11, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110209201340/https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/2001-08-25-aaliyah.htm|archive-date=February 9, 2011}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceA"/> The same year, she began her acting career, playing herself in the police drama television series ''[[New York Undercover]]''.{{Sfn|Sutherland|2005|p=79}} During this time, Aaliyah participated in the Children's Benefit Concert, a charity concert at the [[Beacon Theatre (New York City)|Beacon Theatre]] in New York.{{Sfn|Sutherland|2005|p=128}} She also became the spokesperson for the [[Tommy Hilfiger Corporation]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|title=Hard-Working Aaliyah Packed Hit Albums, Movies into Short Life|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1448431/aaliyahs-short-productive-life.jhtml|work=[[MTV News]]|access-date=March 17, 2012|author2=Schumacher-Rasmussen, Eric |author3=Horn, Teri van|date=August 27, 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118221227/http://www.mtv.com/news/1448431/hard-working-aaliyah-packed-hit-albums-movies-into-short-life/|archive-date=January 18, 2022}}</ref> During her campaign with Tommy Hilfiger, the company sold over 2,400 pairs of the red, white and blue baggy jeans she wore in their advertisements.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/26/style/if-it-sings-wear-it-tommy-hilfiger-dresses-stars-hopes-that-they-will-strut-his.html|title=If It Sings, Wear It; Tommy Hilfiger dresses the stars in hopes that they will strut his stuff|last=White|first=Constance C.R.|date=October 26, 1997|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=December 21, 2018|archive-date=June 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630095835/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/26/style/if-it-sings-wear-it-tommy-hilfiger-dresses-stars-hopes-that-they-will-strut-his.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In December 1997, she performed the Christmas carol "[[What Child Is This?]]" at the annual [[Christmas in Washington]] television special.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1997/12/19/christmas-in-washington-if-its-the-holiday/ |title="Christmas in Washington": If it's the holiday season, it... |work=tribunedigital-chicagotribune |date=December 19, 1997 |access-date=December 14, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222162035/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1997-12-19/features/9712190348_1_merry-christmas-christmas-angel-singing |archive-date=December 22, 2015 }}</ref> She also contributed to the soundtrack album for the animated film ''[[Anastasia (1997 film)|Anastasia]]'', performing a cover version of "[[Journey to the Past]]" that earned songwriters [[Lynn Ahrens]] and [[Stephen Flaherty]] a nomination for the [[Academy Award for Best Original Song]].<ref name="Farley" /><ref name="Simmonds 2008">{{harvnb|Simmonds|2008}}</ref> Aaliyah performed the song at the [[70th Academy Awards|1998 Academy Awards ceremony]], becoming the youngest singer to perform at the event.<ref name=BMI>{{cite web|url=http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/20000701aaliyah|title=Aaliyah|author=Bruce Britt|work=BMI.com|date=June 30, 2000|access-date=December 14, 2015|archive-date=December 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151209122812/http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/20000701aaliyah|url-status=live}}</ref> Also in 1998, she released the song "[[Are You That Somebody?]]" which was featured on the ''[[Dr. Dolittle (film)|Dr. Dolittle]]'' [[Dr. Dolittle (soundtrack)|soundtrack]].<ref name=98grammy>{{cite magazine|title=Nine Things We'll Never Forget About Aaliyah|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/956672/nine-things-well-never-forget-about-aaliyah|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen SoundScan|access-date=March 17, 2012|date=August 25, 2010|archive-date=June 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629144115/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/956672/nine-things-well-never-forget-about-aaliyah|url-status=live}}</ref> The song peaked at number 21 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref name="Billboard 2001"/> and earned Aaliyah her first [[Grammy Award]] nomination.<ref name=98grammy/>

In 1999, Aaliyah landed her first big-screen acting role in ''[[Romeo Must Die]]''.<ref name=romeo99>{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/1424659/aaliyah-jet-li-to-star-in-cross-cultural-romeo-and-juliet/ |date= April 6, 1999|access-date=May 14, 2022|title=Aaliyah, Jet Li to star in cross-cultural "Romeo And Juliet"|work=[[MTV News]]|archive-date=May 14, 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220514102147/https://www.mtv.com/news/1424659/aaliyah-jet-li-to-star-in-cross-cultural-romeo-and-juliet/|url-status=dead}}</ref> She starred opposite martial artist [[Jet Li]], playing a couple who fall in love amid their warring families.<ref name=romeo99/> Released on March 24, 2000, the movie grossed US$18.6&nbsp;million in its first weekend, ranking number two at the box office.<ref>{{cite web|first=David|last=Basham|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/1424656/aaliyah-dmx-ginuwine-pitch-in-for-romeo-lp/|date=February 18, 2000|title=Aaliyah, DMX, Ginuwine Pitch In for "Romeo" LP|work=[[MTV News]]|access-date=May 14, 2022|archive-date=May 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514102148/https://www.mtv.com/news/1424656/aaliyah-dmx-ginuwine-pitch-in-for-romeo-lp/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,85088,00.html|title='Romeo' and Julia |last=Wolk|first=Josh|date=March 26, 2000|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607180948/https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,85088,00.html |access-date=May 10, 2009|archive-date=June 7, 2011 }}</ref> Aaliyah purposely stayed away from reviews of the film to "make it easier on" herself, but she heard "that people were able to get into me, which is what I wanted."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2001/07/22/hip-pops-aaliyah-flaunts-versatility/|title=Hip-pop's Aaliyah Flaunts Versatility|date=July 22, 2001|work=Orlando Sentinel|access-date=August 16, 2014|archive-date=December 5, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141205210921/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2001-07-22/news/0107220074_1_aaliyah-barbra-streisand-jennifer-lopez}}</ref> In contrast, some critics felt there was no chemistry between her and Jet Li, as well as viewing the film as too simplistic.<ref name=Vibe2001CoverStory>{{cite news|url=http://www.vibe.com/article/aaliyahs-2001-vibe-cover-story-what-lies-beneath|title=Aaliyah's 2001 Vibe Cover Story: 'What Lies Beneath'|date=January 14, 2015|publisher=Vibe.com|access-date=February 22, 2015|archive-date=February 22, 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150222070654/http://www.vibe.com/article/aaliyahs-2001-vibe-cover-story-what-lies-beneath|url-status=live}}</ref> This was echoed by Elvis Mitchell of ''[[The New York Times]]'', who wrote that while Aaliyah was "a natural" and the film was conceived as a spotlight for both her and Li, "they have so little chemistry together you'd think they're putting out a fire instead of shooting off sparks.<ref>{{cite news |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9907E7D71E3AF931A15750C0A9669C8B63 |first=Elvis |last=Mitchell |title=Romeo Must Die (2000) FILM REVIEW; Hip-Hop Joins Martial Arts but Lets Plot Muscle In |date=March 22, 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222224228/https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9907E7D71E3AF931A15750C0A9669C8B63 |archive-date=February 22, 2015 }}</ref>

[[File:Aaliyah Dana Haughton 02.jpg|thumb|Aaliyah in 2000]]
In addition to acting, Aaliyah served as an executive producer of the [[Romeo Must Die (soundtrack)|film's soundtrack]], for which she contributed four songs.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2001/08/27/arts/aaliyah-22-singer-who-first-hit-the-charts-at-14.html|title=Aaliyah, 22, Singer Who First Hit the Charts at 14|last=Pareles|first=Jon|date=August 27, 2001|work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=May 10, 2009|archive-date=September 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913061406/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/08/27/arts/aaliyah-22-singer-who-first-hit-the-charts-at-14.html| url-status=live}}</ref> "[[Try Again (Aaliyah song)|Try Again]]" was released as a single from the soundtrack; the song topped the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], making Aaliyah the first artist to top the chart based solely on [[airplay]]; this led the song to be released in a 12-inch vinyl and 7-inch single.<ref name="Billboard 2001" /><ref>{{cite book|last=Bronson|first=Fred|title=The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits|publisher=Billboard Books|year=2003|page=896|isbn=0-8230-7677-6}}</ref> The music video won the [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video|Best Female Video]] and [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Video from a Film|Best Video from a Film]] awards at the [[2000 MTV Video Music Awards]].<ref>{{cite news| url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/915759.stm|title=MTV Video Music Awards: The winners|date=September 8, 2000|work=BBC News|access-date=May 21, 2009|location=London|archive-date=December 5, 2014| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141205091839/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/915759.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> It also earned her a [[Grammy Award]] nomination for Best Female R&B Vocalist.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/1510034.stm|title=R&B's Aaliyah dies in plane crash|date=August 26, 2001|work=BBC News|access-date=May 21, 2009|location=London| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090623203342/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/1510034.stm| archive-date= June 23, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> The soundtrack went on to sell 1.5&nbsp;million copies in the United States.<ref name=USSales>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/79059/aaliyah-returns-to-music|title=Aaliyah Returns to Music|last=Hall|first=Rashaun|date=July 20, 2001| magazine= Billboard|access-date=July 23, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090802031044/http://www.billboard.com/| archive-date= August 2, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>

===2001: ''Aaliyah'' and ''Queen of the Damned''===
{{Main|Aaliyah (album)}}
After completing ''[[Romeo Must Die]]'', Aaliyah began to work on her second film, ''[[Queen of the Damned]]''. She played the role of an ancient [[vampire]], Queen Akasha, which she described as a "manipulative, crazy, sexual being".<ref name="Telegraph" /> Filming both Romeo Must Die and ''Queen of the Damned'' delayed the release of the album. Aaliyah had not intended for her albums to have such a gap between them. "I wanted to take a break after ''One in a Million'' to just relax, think about how I wanted to approach the next album. Then, when I was ready to start back up, "Romeo" happened, and so I had to take another break and do that film and then do the soundtrack, then promote it. The break turned into a longer break than I anticipated."<ref name=mtvrapfix>{{cite web|url=http://rapfix.mtv.com/2011/08/25/aaliyah-final-mtv-interview/ |title=Remembering Aaliyah Ten Years Later: The Final MTV Interview|work=[[MTV]]|date=August 25, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103000526/http://rapfix.mtv.com/2011/08/25/aaliyah-final-mtv-interview/|archive-date=November 3, 2014}}</ref> Ultimately, she filmed ''Queen of the Damned'' and recorded her third album at the same time so that it could be released in 2001.<ref name=mtvrapfix/> Aaliyah enjoyed balancing her singing and acting careers. Though she called music a "first" for her, she also had been acting since she was young and had wanted to begin acting "at some point in my career", but "wanted it to be the right time and the right vehicle" and felt ''Romeo Must Die'' "was it".<ref name=USSales/> Connie Johnson of the ''Los Angeles Times'' argued that Aaliyah having to focus on her film career may have caused her to not give the album "the attention it merited."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-jul-29-ca-27750-story.html |title=A Coasting Aaliyah Steers Clear of Depth |date=July 29, 2001 |work=Los Angeles Times |first=Connie |last=Johnson |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026025424/https://articles.latimes.com/2001/jul/29/entertainment/ca-27750 |archive-date=October 26, 2012 }}</ref>

During the recording stages for the album, Aaliyah's publicist disclosed that the album's release date was most likely in October 2000.<ref name=MTVMarch2000>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/669913/aaliyah-back-in-recording-studio/|title=Aaliyah Back In Recording Studio|date=March 9, 2000|publisher=MTV|access-date=July 27, 2014|archive-date=June 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629091655/http://www.mtv.com/news/669913/aaliyah-back-in-recording-studio/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Eventually, she finished recording the album in March 2001; after a year of recording tracks that began in March of the previous year.<ref name=MTVMarch2001>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1441665/aaliyah-finishes-new-album-during-break-from-movies/|date=March 14, 2001|title=Aaliyah Finishes New Album During Break From Movies|publisher=MTV|access-date=July 27, 2014|archive-date=October 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016164103/http://www.mtv.com/news/1441665/aaliyah-finishes-new-album-during-break-from-movies/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
''Aaliyah'' was released five years after ''One in a Million'' on July 17, 2001,<ref name="Allmusic" /> and it debuted at number two on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], selling 187,000 copies in its first week.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/78998/keys-wards-off-aaliyah-foxy-at-no-1|title=Keys Wards Off Aaliyah, Foxy at No. 1|last=Martens|first=Todd|date=July 26, 2001|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 23, 2009|archive-date=May 24, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524085547/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/78998/keys-wards-off-aaliyah-foxy-at-no-1|url-status=live}}</ref> The first single from the album, "[[We Need a Resolution]]", peaked at number 59 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref name="Billboard 2001" /> The week after Aaliyah's death, her third album rose from number 19 to number 1 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/78474/aaliyah-posthumously-tops-album-chart|title=Aaliyah Posthumously Tops Album Chart|last=Martens|first=Todd|date=September 6, 2001|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 23, 2009|archive-date=May 24, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524165906/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/78474/aaliyah-posthumously-tops-album-chart|url-status=live}}</ref> "[[Rock the Boat (Aaliyah song)|Rock the Boat]]" was released as a posthumous single. The music video premiered on [[BET]]'s ''[[Access Granted]]'', and it became the most viewed and highest rated episode in the history of the show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/blogs/2009/08/25/complexs-wifey-hall-of-fame-aaliyah/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090828041059/http://www.complex.com/blogs/2009/08/25/complexs-wifey-hall-of-fame-aaliyah/ |archive-date=August 28, 2009 |title=Complex's Wifey Hall of Fame: Aaliyah |date=August 25, 2009 |work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |publisher=Complex Media Network |access-date=August 28, 2009 }}</ref> The song peaked at number 14 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref name=BBCharts>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/aaliyah/chart-history/hsi/|title=Aaliyah Chart History (Hot 100)|publisher=[[Billboard Magazine|Billboard]]|access-date=May 14, 2022|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525143539/https://www.billboard.com/artist/aaliyah/chart-history/hsi/|url-status=live}}</ref> Promotional posters for ''Aaliyah'' that had been put up in major cities such as New York and Los Angeles became makeshift memorials for grieving fans.<ref>{{harvnb|Farley|2002|p=182|Ref=Farley}}</ref> In February 2002, the album was certified double Platinum by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]].<ref name="RIAA" />

"[[More than a Woman (Aaliyah song)|More than a Woman]]" and "[[I Care 4 U (song)|I Care 4 U]]" were released as posthumous singles and peaked within the top 25 of the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref name=BBCharts/> "More than a Woman" reached number one on the UK singles chart making Aaliyah the first female deceased artist to reach number one on the UK singles chart.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1758494.stm|title=Posthumous number one for Aaliyah|work=BBC News|date=January 13, 2001|access-date=April 7, 2011|archive-date=August 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801135249/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1758494.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Justin |last=Myers |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/more-than-a-woman-aaliyah-remembered-on-her-birthday__16126/ |title=More Than A Woman: Aaliyah remembered on her birthday |website=[[Official Charts Company]] |date=January 16, 2018 |access-date=May 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117133106/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/more-than-a-woman-aaliyah-remembered-on-her-birthday__16126/ |archive-date=January 17, 2018 }}</ref> "More than a Woman" was replaced by [[George Harrison]]'s "[[My Sweet Lord]]" which is the only time in the UK singles chart's history when a dead artist has replaced another dead artist at number one.<ref>{{cite web |first=Justin |last=Myers |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/remembering-aaliyah-on-the-15th-anniversary-of-her-death__16126/ |title=Remembering Aaliyah on the 15th anniversary of her death |website=[[Official Charts Company]] |date=August 25, 2016 |access-date=May 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826201459/http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/remembering-aaliyah-on-the-15th-anniversary-of-her-death__16126/ |archive-date=August 26, 2016 }}</ref>

Aaliyah was signed to appear in several future films, including a romantic film titled ''Some Kind of Blue'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dotmusic.com/news/May2001/news20073.asp |title=Aaliyah Bites! |date=May 28, 2001 |access-date=July 31, 2023 |work=[[Dotmusic]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010811153013/http://www.dotmusic.com/news/May2001/news20073.asp |archive-date=August 11, 2001 }}</ref> and a [[Whitney Houston]]–produced remake of the 1976 film ''[[Sparkle (1976 film)|Sparkle]]''.<ref name="CNN" /> Houston recalled Aaliyah being "so enthusiastic" about the film; the project was shelved after she died.<ref>{{harvnb|Iandoli|2021|p=196}}</ref> Before her death, Aaliyah filmed some scenes for the sequels of ''[[The Matrix]]'' as the character [[Zee (The Matrix)|Zee]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1453366/20020411/gaye_nona.jhtml|title=Aaliyah's 'Matrix' Role to Be Given to Nona Gaye|last=Goodman|first=Abbey|date=April 11, 2002|publisher=[[MTV News]]|access-date=April 14, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090331112845/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1453366/20020411/gaye_nona.jhtml| archive-date= March 31, 2009 | url-status= dead}}</ref> A portion of her role in ''[[The Matrix Reloaded]]'' was filmed; these unused scenes were included in the tribute section of the ''Matrix Ultimate Collection'' series.<ref>''Ultimate Matrix Collection'' disc 9: "The Burly Man Chronicles"; Follow the White Rabbit – Australia Shoot – Tribute. {{harvnb|Sutherland|2005|p=101}}</ref>