Missy Elliott was among the stars paying tribute to late singer Aaliyah on the 20th anniversary of her death on Wednesday, Aug. 25.
Aaliyah was just 22 years old when she and seven others died in a plane crash in the Bahamas on August 25, 2001. The small plane crashed just after takeoff from Marsh Harbour, Bahamas, where she had filmed the music video for her single “Rock the Boat.”
Marking the anniversary, Missy, 50, wrote on Twitter:
“Babygirl All these years your IMPACT is still felt & your INFLUENCE is seen EVERYWHERE! So many are still CAPTIVATED by your SOUND & STYLE! It’s BEAUTIFUL to see a new generation become fans of your ART & love YOUR HEART. We Love you & May your spirit live on 4EVER.”
Babygirl All these years your IMPACT is still felt & your INFLUENCE is seen EVERYWHERE! So many are still CAPTIVATED by your SOUND & STYLE! It’s BEAUTIFUL to see a new generation become fans of your ART & love YOUR HEART! We Love you??& May your spirit live on 4EVER?? pic.twitter.com/EYqDQ5NZNK
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) August 25, 2021
Missy worked with Aaliyah, alongside Timbaland, on her second album One in a Million, which was released in 1996.
Timbaland also paid tribute to Aaliyah on Wednesday, writing: “Me and @MissyElliott was and still!!!!!!!! Ahead Of our time. Rest easy baby girl.”
One in a Million was made available to stream for the first time last Friday, Aug. 20, after Aaliyah’s estate settled a longstanding dispute with her former label, Blackground Entertainment, which is run by her uncle, former R. Kelly manager Barry Hankerson.
Music exec Damon Dash – who dated Aaliyah from 2000 until her death the following year – reflected on her legacy during an interview with Entertainment Tonight.
“I was reflecting (that) there hasn’t been one day since she’s passed, not one in the 20 years, that I haven’t either heard her name, heard her record, or seen a picture of her. Every single day she’s present in my life and I feel lucky for that.”
Aaliyah, right, is pictured with late rapper Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes who died at age 30 in a car crash on April 25, 2002 in Honduras.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sj_dLWJHUa8
