47 Aaliyah Quotes on Her Career, Staying Motivated, and Leaving behind a Legacy

Aaliyah was barely in her twenties when she faced a tragic death, leaving behind a legacy of music for generations to come. Read these 47 quotes from throughout the short lifetime of this dedicated artist.

Born in 1976, Aaliyah Dana Haughton, or Aaliyah, as she was known, entered the music industry at a young age. The singer signed to her first record label when she was only 12 years old. By 15 years old, she skyrocketed into fame with the release of her album "Age Ain't Nothing But a Number."

She continued her rise in the music industry when in 1997, she sang and recorded the theme song to the animated movie "Anastasia," called "Journey to the Past," — a song that would go on to be nominated for an Academy Award. She also began to make movies to the sound of positive feedback.

Sadly, this entertainer's budding career was cut short when she passed away in 2001. Read the following 47 quotes to learn more about the singer and the legacy she wanted to leave behind.

Aaliyah’s quote: "It's hard to say what I want my legacy to be when I'm long gone." | Image: AmoDays

Aaliyah Quotes on Her Career

"You have to love what you do to want to do it every day." — Aaliyah

"You know we're in a business that's just unpredictable. You don't know what's going to happen...we are lucky, blessed, I think is a better way to put it." — Aaliyah

"It's really a sad story, and I liked that. The songs on this album talk about relationships in every aspect." — Aaliyah

"There is always a bit of pressure to do a good album - to do good work, period. I really put a lot of pressure on myself, more so than other people. But I try not to let that overwhelm me to the point where I can't even do good work. I just put it aside and do the best that I know that I can." — Aaliyah

"I have the time needed to support the album and tour." — Aaliyah

Aaliyah’s quote: "There's nothing better than loving what you do." | Image: AmoDays

"I think it's important to take a break, you know, from the public eye for a while and give people a chance to miss you. I want longevity. I don't want to get out there and run myself ragged and spread myself thin." — Aaliyah

"It's fun to be creative and innovative and come up with something crazy. So I need people to work with who are not going to be afraid to take it to the left a bit." — Aaliyah

"Being in this business, I accept that there are positives and negatives but having a strong family base and a belief in God enables me to weather the storms." — Aaliyah

"In film, you are a totally different person than in the video." — Aaliyah

"There's nothing better than loving what you do." — Aaliyah

Aaliyah’s quote: "I wanna be the best at what I do. I wanna sing, I wanna dance, I wanna act. That's about it." | Image: AmoDays

"When you get into this business, you have to grow up quickly." — Aaliyah

"Of course, the advantage is that being in this business, you get to learn a lot, experience a lot of new things, and you can become real successful. The disadvantage is, of course, the negative media. People may try to manipulate you and control you, and those are the things you have to avoid. But if you maintain strong family values and you believe in God, you can be successful. So, it's been tough, but I've gotten through it because I stuck with my family and my deep belief in God." — Aaliyah

"I don't think about my previous success. I'm happy that the work I've done has been very successful." — Aaliyah

"I began to work the stage and get the audience into it. I also learned how to have fun out there. It is something I will never forget." — Aaliyah

"There is a bit of acting involved when you get in front of a camera for a video. Even when you perform on stage, you're putting on a show." — Aaliyah

Aaliyah’s quote: "You have to enjoy your job; you should wake up every day and love what you do…" | Image: AmoDays

"All I can do is leave it in God's hands and hope that my fans feel where I'm coming from." — Aaliyah

"It was always part of the plan to move into acting." — Aaliyah

"I've been singing all my life. I've always wanted this. I sang in church and in school plays, and my parents gave me vocal lessons. My parents always said this was destined for me." — Aaliyah

"You have to enjoy your job; you should wake up every day and love what you do…" — Aaliyah

Aaliyah’s quote: "I don't think about my previous success. I'm happy that the work I've done has been very successful." | Image: AmoDays

"I wanna be the best at what I do. I wanna sing, I wanna dance, I wanna act. That's about it." — Aaliyah

Motivational Aaliyah Quotes

"I'm a survivor, and I can handle anything. I'm very confident about that." — Aaliyah

"If God gave you the talent, you should go for it. But don't think it’s going to be easy. It’s hard!” — Aaliyah

"Everything is worth it. The hard work, the times when you're tired, the times when you're a bit sad… In the end, it's all worth it because it really makes me happy." — Aaliyah

"If at first, you don't succeed, you can dust it off and try again, dust yourself off and try again." — "Try Again" by Aaliyah

Aaliyah’s quote: "That's why I work every day. Every day. I want to knock people out." | Image: AmoDays

"My parents just tell me, 'If you know what you want, you should stay determined and go for it. You can do anything.'" — Aaliyah

"Keep working hard, and you can get anything that you want." — Aaliyah

"That's why I work every day. Every day. I want to knock people out." — Aaliyah

Wisdom-Filled Aaliyah Quotes

"Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some people stay for a while and leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same." — Aaliyah

"I always think, what would Jesus do?" — Aaliyah

Aaliyah’s quote: "Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some people stay for a while and leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same." | Image: AmoDays

"Whatever will be, will be." — Aaliyah

"Sensual is being in tune with your sensual self." — Aaliyah

Aaliyah Quotes on Love

"You and me got a street kinda thing goin' on. And I'm so happy that I found you. Our love ain't goin' nowhere. It's gonna stay right here, right here forever." — "Street Thing," by Aaliyah

"Turn me inside out, make my heart speak." — "One In A Million" by Aaliyah

"Your eyes are calling me to your heart. All you gotta do is knock, and I'll let you in." — "Age Ain't Nothin' But A Number" by Aaliyah

Aaliyah’s quote from "Miss You": "Is your heart still mine? I wanna cry sometimes. I miss you." | Image: AmoDays

"Now you're gone, and I'm lost without you here now. But I know I gotta live and make it somehow." — "Miss You" by Aaliyah

"Don't compare me to your last one. I can't help it; she was a fast one, a sassy one; I'm a classy one." — "Don't Know What to Tell Ya" by Aaliyah

"Is your heart still mine? I wanna cry sometimes. I miss you." — "Miss You" by Aaliyah

"Your love is a one in a million. It goes on and on and on. You give me a really good feeling all day long." — "One In A Million" by Aaliyah

"How could you just walk out the door? How could you not love me anymore?" — "The One I Gave My Heart To" by Aaliyah

Aaliyah’s quote from "One In a Million": "Turn me inside out, make my heart speak." | Image: AmoDays

Self-Reflective Aaliyah Quotes

"There are times I can't even figure myself out." — Aaliyah

"There are certain things I want to keep to me. I don't discuss my private life." — Aaliyah

"People are going to look up to me because I'm young, black, and female." — Aaliyah

"I stay true to myself and my style, and I am always pushing myself to be aware of that and be original." — Aaliyah

"It's in how you carry yourself. I've always been a very mature person, and I've always known what I wanted. And I go after it no matter what." — Aaliyah

Aaliyah’s quote: "There are times I can't even figure myself out." | Image: AmoDays

"I want people to remember me as a full-on entertainer and a good person." — Aaliyah

"It's hard to say what I want my legacy to be when I'm long gone." — Aaliyah

"There are times in my life when I just want to be by myself." — Aaliyah

Aaliyah’s quote: “I want people to remember me as a full-on entertainer and a good person." | Image: AmoDays

On August 25, 2001, Aaliyah died in a plane crash at only 22 years old. The late vocalist was heading back to Miami from Abaco Island in the Bahamas, where she was busy working on a video.

Before she passed, the young singer had been nominated for and won numerous awards, including five Grammy nominations. Some of her wins included 2002's American Music Awards Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist and 2001's MTV Movie Awards Best Movie Song for "Try Again."

Delve deeper into another late individual's life that was also filled with melody by reading these 85 soul-stirring Juice WRLD quotes.