With today (Aug. 25) marking the eight year anniversary of Aaliyah’s tragic passing, fans across the world mourn and celebrate the legacy of one of R&B’s most respected and loved names. The talented songstress perished in a plane crash leaving The Bahamas en route to Opa-Locka, Florida. Aaliyah and several members of her record company had just completed production for “Rock The Boat“, which would prove to be her last video and arguably her most popular and influential single to date.

Since her untimely death, the Haughton family has worked tirelessly to keep not only her music alive, but her philanthropic passions as well.  On May 1, 2009, the Aaliyah Memorial Fund donated a significant amount of money to Revlon Run/Walk. The donation will be used to help fund important research into the cause and cure of women’s cancers, prevention, education and support service programs.

Also, in conjunction with New York City, the Central Park Conservancy has dedicated a Weeping Willow tree in the late singer’s memory on the pond in Central Park. It can be found next to Strawberry Fields.

Had Aaliyah had survived, she would have been 30 years old. To date, she has sold over 24 million records worldwide and often credited with playing a major role in the evolution of R&B music in the late 90’s and early 2000’s.