Brooklyn Remembers R&B Icon Aaliyah in the BRIC One A Million Tribute Concert

This August, marks the 25th anniversary of the tragic death of R&B Grammy-nominated icon Aaliyah. The 22 year-old singer died in a tragic plane crash in Marsh Harbour,  Bahamas on August 25th, 2001 after finishing the music video for “Rock the Boat” off her last project, her self-title album, Aaliyah in July 2001. 

In her hometown of Brooklyn, to preserve the memory, accomplishments, and her life of Aaliyah with the first ever tribute concert. BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! and cultural organization BRIC presented the Celebrate Aaliyah: One A Million tribute Concert on Saturday, August 8th, 2026 in the Lena Horne Bandshell stage in Prospect Park in Brooklyn. 

The free, day-long event featured live music and heartfelt testimonials celebrating the Brooklyn-born superstar. Thousands of fans, turned out to Prospect Park to show their love for Aaliyah, honoring what her legacy meant to them growing up and the next generations she continues to inspire. The event opened with house DJs Honey Bun and Alberto Reyes spinning a curated mix of Aaliyah’s greatest hits.

The show started with creator of music newsletter BRIT POP and former senior writer of Rolling Stone, Brittany Spanos. Spanos took stage and kick-off the show giving a shout out to the musical director, Brooklyn-based singer and songwriter Taja Cheek (L’Rain). “I want to shout out our incredible musical director, our incredible band, our DJs and all the amazing performers that will be performing throughout the show!” said Spanos. 

The concert kick-off with the first performance, where the band did a cover of Aaliyah’s “At Your Best (You Are Love)” with the house band featuring musicians music composer Tariq Al Sabir, bassist Evan Lawrence, drummer Dillion Treacy, guitarist Key Hutchinson, and back-up singers KAYANA and Natalie Louis-Charles. 

The first performer to take the stage was Afro/ R&B singer Anajah took the stage and did her cover of Aaliyah’s “Rock The Boat” and “Are You Somebody?”. The next artist to take the stage was Brooklyn-based UK/Nigerian R&B artist Halima took the stage and amaze the audience with her edgy cover of Aaliyah’s “One A Million” and “4 Page Letter”.

Next, artist to take the stage was singer Motherboard aka Kyle Kidd. Motherboard performed his cover of Aaliyah’s “Choosey Lover” and “I Care 4 U”. Brooklyn-based R&B artist serpentwithfeet. He performed a soulful cover of Aaliyah’s “I Refuse” and “We Need A Resolution” . Finally, R&B singer RES took the stage and performed her cover of Aaliyah’s “If Your Girl Only Knew” and “Try Again” 

Taking a break from the performances, special guest took the stage and took a moment to speak on their encounter with Aaliyah throughout her career. The first speaker was legendary fashion designer and hip-hop stylist April Walker took the stage. She took the stage and spoke to the audience on how she met Aaliyah and the work she done for her.

 “I had the pleasure to meet Aaliyah styling her first music video” Back and Forth”. The thing I most remembered about Aaliyah is how gentle and innocent she was” said Walker. “Aaliyah was an amazing talent with an old soul. She carried herself with such professionalism way beyond her years. She was one of a kind and her style effortless and has echo throughout generations and influencing young women today. Born in Brooklyn and raised in Detroit, she had the best of both worlds, and she enter any crowd with confidence.” she said. “Her timeless classics will stay with us and her short life and spirit will stay with us.”

Fashion played a huge part in Aaliyah’s career. During the concert, there was a Karl Kani pop-up. The iconic 1990s streetwear brand designed her motorcycle jackets during her One A Million Era in 1996. Aaliyah was the first R&B singer to wear Karl Kani jackets in music videos and commercial. The pop-up held a special raffle for a custom replica of Aaliyah’s motorcycle and lucky winner will one in their custom size and the end of the event. 

The next speaker was legendary Video Music Box’s host and Hip-Hop Historian for NYPL, VJ Ralph McDaniels came on stage to speak on how he met Aaliyah and her legacy. ”In 1994, I get a call from Barry Hankerson from Blackground Records and they wanted me to do a video for this new singer and sent over the cassette of her song, “Back and Forth”.” said McDaniels. 

“ I knew it was a hit and I had to meet the singer. I met her when she was 15 years-old, and did an interview with her on her 16th birthday backstage at the Apollo in New York after her performance. She was an amazing person and was a pleasure to watch her grow. As she got older, she became one of the most influential artist all over the world.” he said. “ I am grateful that they ask me to come out here and speak on Babygirl!”

Next, District 35 representative Crystal Hudson took a moment to speak to speak on the importance of the first Aaliyah Day in Brooklyn. “I am proud to represent BRIC on Fulton Street and putting on the first Aaliyah Day! said Hudson. “I want to continue  this event so we can have this event year after year.” she said. 

The final speaker, Filmmaker and Director LaChelle Chrysanne came and spoke on how Aaliyah’s fashion, music videos and lead movie roles influence her filmmaking.” I am so excited to be inspired by someone who has inspired me for most of my life.” said Chrysanne. 

“This borough is the birthplace of countless icons. I see her style when a fly girl wears a combination of baggy jeans, crop top, black shades and swoop bangs. Her impact went much deeper than style and sound. There was a quality in her swagger that was hard to find. It was more of an essence. Even when she played Queen Akasha in “Queen of the Damned” and was preparing for destruction, she was smooth and flow like water. As a millennial, it doesn’t surprise me that Aaliyah’s authenticity was rare. She was private and elusive, but still managed to stand out. Her maturity, passion, and originality made her a one-in-a-generation talent.”