Image via Complex Original
In the summer of 2003, two years after R&B singer Aaliyah died, her friend Jay Z rapped, “Too good for earth, you are,” on the remix to Aaliyah's song “Miss You.” Today marks 15 years since the plane carrying Aaliyah crashed in the Bahamas as the singer and her team were on their way home from her “Rock the Boat” video shoot.
To this day, her music remains timeless. You can’t put on “One In A Million” without everyone in the room over the age of 26 stealing a glance at their closest friend there. Aaliyah, along with her frequent collaborators Timbaland and Missy Elliott, had an impossible-to-recreate sound that’s inspired Ciara, Drake, Rihanna, and Alicia Keys, among many others. In addition to pop superstardom, Aaliyah was well on her way to becoming an established actress. She starred in Romeo Must Die and Queen of the Damned, and was considered for Jessica Alba’s role in Honey, the part of Alex in Charlie’s Angels, and a bit in The Matrix Reloaded.
She embodied a strong, talented woman—known for her shyness juxtaposed with her effortless swag. Before it was cool to do everything in #MyCalvins, Aaliyah’s signature style included men’s denim or baggy pants with an exposed underwear waistband. You can’t even talk about Tommy Hilfiger in the ‘90s without praising Baby Girl, better known as Aaliyah. Body chains and side-swept bangs, oversized coats and diamond-encrusted bras; no one could pull off men’s clothes while maintaining her femininity like Aaliyah did. We still see countless looks that mimic those she wore 20 years ago.
On the anniversary of her passing, we spoke to a few R&B-loving, hustling, stylish women about how Aaliyah still inspires them and their style today.
Adesuwa Aaighewi
Model
@adesuwaaighewi
"I've always dressed like a boy, because I emulated my brothers. I dig the fact that she dressed like a tomboy, but with hints of sexy. I feel if her and I were ever to cross paths, we'd give each other the ‘I f*ck with you’ head nod."
Aleali May
Image Consultant / Model
"Aaliyah has always inspired my personal style. She was confident, creative, and cool. As a young girl, I used to feel insecure about my small frame, but Aaliyah played a role in helping me tackle this. She showed how you can perfectly blend men's and womenswear while still keeping it sexy. Whether it's her music or fashion sense, she will remain legendary. Thank you, Baby Girl!"
Kittens
DJ
"Aaliyah has been a huge influence on my life in so many ways, and her style definitely made a lasting impact on mine. She made me confident in my body, showing me that a petite woman with a smaller chest could still be so sexy in a world where implants and ass shots are the norm. Crops and sports bras with baggy pants are a staple in my wardrobe and my go-to outfit whenever I perform, which is 100% attributed to her. But more than anything, just the way she was able to present herself as so confident and sexy in a tasteful way—while keeping this tomboyish edge—will forever keep her as a style icon in my book."
Paloma Elsesser
Model
"Aaliyah taught me how to wear the boys’ pants and the baby tee look. She showed me authenticity in a world which seemed constructed. The girl who was sensual not sexy. She is eternally the one. I’m still upset she’s gone."
Samantha Duenas aka SoSuperSam
DJ / Singer
@sosupersam
"Aaliyah is the Audrey Hepburn of R&B: iconic, timeless, and beloved by all. Her voice was hypnotic over Missy and Timbaland's production, a sound that was ahead of its time and can never be truly duplicated again. Her legs-for-days, abs-for-weeks, face-for-a-lifetime beauty was topped only by her incomparably chill attitude, all which seemed so natural and effortless. During a time when R&B divas reigned supreme, her laid back style of confidence set her apart from the rest. She is absolutely a major inspiration for the music I make now."