Her One in a Million album, which included Timbaland and Missy’s production was much ahead of its time with bass and electro kind of R&B sounds. Now you hear that everywhere with auto-tune and electronic elements in R&B, hip hop, and rap.

While on the fashion side, her simple and tomboyish style has influenced the likes of Zendaya, Keke Palmer, Ciara, and Kehlani just to name a few. With high-waisted baggy pants, crop-tops, and the dark lip stick, we see many twig Aaliyah’s style within theirs.

But, it’s not just the ladies, who have been inspired by Aaliyah.

Take Kendrick Lamar who paid tribute to the singer with his song “Blow My High (Members Only) with lyrics such as, “Hands up in the building, we get busy, and say R-I-P Aaliyah, R-I-P, yep, R-I-P Aaliyah, R-I-P, yep. That’s exactly what this sound like, A to the A to the L-I-Y, A-H, give it up two times. Then give it right back, don’t blow my high,” or J. Cole who also sampled her in his record for “Best Friend.”

Another artist strongly influenced by the princess of R&B would be Drake. In 2012, Drizzy announced that he along with Timba and Missy would co-produce a posthumous album for fans. The Toronto native has even been very vocal about the image he has tattooed on his back in honor of Aaliyah.

With that being said, there’s no doubting that Aaliyah Haughton’s R&B presence still lives on with such an astonishing influence over today’s music and fashion.

Happy Birthday Babygirl! – Lupe Looove