9 Years Later And We Are Still Missing Aaliyah

Every year when this date rolls around following singer Aaliyah's sudden passing on August 25, 2001, a little part of me hurts. No, I didn't know Aaliyah Dana Haughton personally never got a chance to meet her; but I have always been a fan and felt a connection to her via her music.

I can remember my cousin and I staying up late at her house in Queens, NY requesting Aaliyah's video for her song "If Your Girl Only Knew" on Video Music Box -- this was like the 106th and Park of the 90's.

Anyway, she was a singer that a lot of us 80's babies and 90's darlings could connect with because she was young, authentic, and maintained the two things we loved most about her; her originality and distinctive beauty.

Women's History Month: Honoring Aaliyah

Whenever a person says Aaliyah's name when speaking of their favorite artists or just about music, you can always count on the fact that a smile will follow after her names rolls off of their tongue.

Aaliyah was an angel to R&B and was the viva la tomboy that every little girl that cursed skirts and barbie dolls needed.

Her sound was original and so was her style. She was practically one of the only R&B artist that was able to marry the sounds of Hip-Hop and R&B in a way that didn't sound forced. Her voice was light and sweet yet she was able to vocally attack a Hip-Hop tinged beat like a shark after it's prey.

Remembering Aaliyah (1979-2001)

I remember the first time I fell in love with Aaliyah's music. My cousin and I would spend hours watching Video Music Box (to those of you not familiar, this was the 90's version of 106th and Park minus the screaming fans) waiting for Aaliyah's "Back & Forth" video to play. You see, back then you would have to call in and request the video and wait hours, and hours, and some more hours to see it play; but it was the experience that mattered the most.



What I admired most about Aaliyah was the fact that she stood out from the breed of over-sexed artists that flaunted their bodies in scantly clad outfits only to divert your attention away from their voices that was their real selling point. Aaliyah could sing and dance and showcase her sexy without even trying. When she came back in 2000/2001 with a new look, a lot of fans were shocked. The last time we saw Aaliyah in a skirt was for a brief moment in one of her videos, but Ms. Haughton was serving her T&A and attitude for days on "We Need A Resolution", loved it!



The day I found out she passed in a plane crash was the night of August 25th, 2001 when I was on the computer browsing the net and saw words scrolling at the bottom of a rock video I happen to be watching on MTV. I thought it was a joke, because just a few days before she appeared on 106th and Park to give away a free black Escalade; I couldn't fathom that she could be here one day and gone the next.

Aaliyah's music was one of the soundtracks of the 90's. Everyone wanted that dime male or female and would experience heartbreak and falling in love wearing their baggy jeans, cut off tops, and dark shades (if you had this combo you were the ish lol). Though she is here in spirit and not in the physical, her music does the talking for her now. She was a revolutionary that defined all standards of what a singer was and what they could do. No one could imagine a soft voice over a Hip-Hop beat until Aaliyah made it happen and for that she will forever be missed but will forever live in our hearts. R.I.P. Aaliyah.

Check out a video of a rare interview with Aaliyah and some of the music that set her name in lights.

M.Y. Sunday Kind Of Love: Aaliyah-4 Page Letter

"don't want to be near you for the thoughts we share but the words we never have to speak."

Today's Sunday Kind Of Love is brought to us by the late and great Aaliyah with her song "4 Page Letter". I've said it once and I'll say it again she was taken from us way too soon but she left behind a legacy that will live forever.

Whatever happened to love letters? Once upon a time when a man wanted to court a woman he would put down on paper his true feelings and hearts desires and place it in her hands to keep. All a guy needs to do now is unlock the door to his pricey car to get a girl to smile or feel warm inside, shame.

Love letters are the truth, and although people say that love letters are passe and from another time, plain and simple love is forever evolving, however the players may change but the game still remains the same; 4-page letters are not only wanted but they are needed, well in my opinion. Have a happy Sunday!

M.Y. Sunday Kind Of Love:Aaliyah- One In A Million

Today's Sunday Kind Of Love is brought to you by R&B's sweetheart Ms. Aaliyah.

Her song "One In A Million" is one of every one's favorites, straight to the point and a great jam to put on a cassette tape full of love songs...oh wait...that's right, no one does that anymore.

Have a happy Sunday and remember love is the cure for hate, as said by India Arie.