Aaliyah Family Feud Turns Ugly Over Tragic 2001 Plane Crash

Aaliyah’s family is locked in a fresh legal fight more than two decades after the singer’s death, centered on money and music rights tied to her final trip. According to TMZ, Jomo Hankerson sued his father, Barry Hankerson, and Blackground Records, alleging misconduct related to travel arrangements for Aaliyah’s Bahamas trip in August 2001. The lawsuit also includes claims about the crash that killed Aaliyah and everyone aboard a private plane. Barry previously served as her uncle and longtime manager. Jomo seeks more than $1.2 million in damages and says an agreement entitled him to 12% of earnings from certain music assets. Barry denies wrongdoing, calling the settlement invalid due to alleged fraud and accusing Jomo of threatening to release unreleased music.