The most famous celebrities hailing from the Detroit area

Aaliyah

Rightfully given the title of the Princess of R&B, Aaliyah Dana Haughton, better known by her stage name, Aaliyah, was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., but was raised in Detroit.  She sang alongside Gladys Knight at the age of 10, and two years later would go on to sign with Jive Records. Her debut album Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number was her big break at age 15. She then graduated from Detroit High School for the Fine and Performing Arts in 1997. Her smooth R&B tracks produced by legendary musicians Timberland and Missy Elliot, and accompanied by sensual and hip-hop inspired choreography, solidified Aaliyah’s position as one of the most influential artists of the ‘90s. With hits such as “One in a Million,” “At Your Best,” “Rock the Boat,” “Try Again,” “We Need a Resolution,” and more, Aaliyah has generated an estimated 24 to 32 million albums worldwide. On August 25, 2001, the singer lost her life after a fatal plane crash at the age of 22.

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Anita Baker

Just an hour outside of Detroit was where of one of soul music’s most prized voices, Anita Baker, was born. After being abandoned by her mother at the age of 2, Baker moved from Toledo, Ohio, to Detroit, where she was raised by a foster family. In 1982 she signed with Otis Smith’s label, Beverly Glenn, and would go on to release her debut album Songstress — but it wasn’t until 1986 when she became a major hit from her album Rapture under Elektra Records, which sold 6 million copies worldwide. She birthed sweet and soulful hits “Just Because,” “Giving You the Best I Got,” “Sweet Love,” “Angel,” and “I Apologize,” just to name a few . Baker also won eight Grammy Awards throughout her career.

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Big Sean

Big Sean’s first major step into the world of hip-hop was being discovered by Kanye West, after freestyling for the established rapper at Detroit’s 102.7 studios in 2005. Two years later, he signed with West’s label GOOD MUSIC. In 2008 he went under contract with Def Jam Records, and he’s been with Jay Z’s Roc Nation since 2014. Big Sean does philanthropy work with the Sean Anderson Foundation, sold over 15 million records, had three albums certified platinum, and received five Grammy nominations, clearly makes him one of the biggest artists out of Detroit.

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Dej Loaf

You might not want to try this Detroit rapper. In 2014, Dej Loaf, whose real name is Deja Trimble, gained fame after she dropped her track “Try Me,” which peaked at No. 45 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. She has since gone on to sign to Columbia Records, release a second mixtape, and open for Nicki Minaj on the Pinkprint Tour.

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