Aaliyah is undoubtedly an icon. A legacy paved for stars like Ciara, Zendaya and Rihanna – who have all named her as an influence – to flourish. Thirteen years ago, the music industry was rocked by her untimely passing. With so much potential left for her to command the R&B industry, the late artist still contributes to present day records despite the controversy associated with it.

She is still many men and women’s Woman Crush Wednesdays. Her records still breathe life into Throwback Thursdays. Her musical contributions still fit in this technologically focused world. “Try Again,” “If Your Girl Only Knew,” “Rock The Boat” and many more can still be spun on the radio and touch generations to come without them ever knowing her full impact.

With a biopic underway, we can hope that the producers will take special care to craft a film that will showcase baby girl as the pivotal artist and kind spirit she is known to be.

“Most people look at her as an angel,”  Missy Elliot writes in The Fader’s celebration of the fallen star. “That’s what she was. I’m not saying that because people feel like they have to say great things because somebody passed. It is what it is. She was a sweet person with great, incredible talent who didn’t compromise who she was for the world. It was like: I’m gonna be a trendsetter, I’m gonna be an icon, even when I’m gone, you gonna always remember me.”

Flip through the pages to see various photos and videos of Aaliyah as well as some of the celebrities who idol her.