The Legacy of Aaliyah

With most things in life: Out of sight, out of mind. But then again, distance makes the heart grow fonder.

Aaliyah Dana Houghton, the gifted singer, actress and dancer, lost her life at age 22 when a plane carrying her and her entourage crashed shortly after takeoff in the Bahamas. She was among nine on that plane who were killed. They were returning to the United States after filming what became her final video "Rock The Boat" in the Abaco Islands, about 170 miles from Florida.

This young woman's impact was so strong, so powerful and so poignant that when her passing came along on Aug. 25 in 2001, just two weeks before that other incident — it was the first time I went "Why?" This was back when word of mouth was bigger than texting or the internet. Phone calls, and the second most powerful medium at the time, radio, is how I found out about her passing.

Given my career, interest and lifestyle, this was the first "celebrity death" that touched me to the core. She looked like me, enjoyed the things I enjoyed and represented hope for young African American women. She carried herself  in such a way that you could be sexy, smart and provocative without giving up all the goods. She was ushering in an era of class in hip-hop when videos had practically become softcore porn and rappers were objectifying women to no end. Her melodies were catchy and infectious. Her style as she moved from baggy jeans and dark sunglasses on her first album Age Ain't Nothing But A Number to a more seductive and stylish wardrobe in One In A Million was her subtle way of showing that she too was coming into her womanhood. It was her way of saying she knew we girls, developing and curious, were right there with her.

The evidence of her legacy lives on: three albums that were each certified double-platinum along with a promising film debut in 2000's Romeo Must Die, which helped to put her on Hollywood's map. Another film, Queen of the Damned, was released after she passed. She was to star in the last two films of the Matrix trilogy. She lives on in Rihanna's runway style and in Ciara's quiet and stoic character — there is a lot of Aaliyah in her "Promise" video, and, most obviously, in Beyonce's larger than life persona. These ladies have emerged to carry on what many feel would have no doubt been a tremendously successful and lasting presence.

The hip-hop world and many fans are still mourning the passing of a stunning icon. And on this day, a mere eight years later, her family emerged to give this statement "We the Haughton Family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all of Aaliyah's fans who keep her in their hearts and prayers."

Our lives were touched by such a decent human being — with the singular goal to keep us entertained. It is our pleasure to mark this day of remembrance.

The Aaliyah Memorial Fund makes donations to charities that Aaliyah cherished — click here for more info.

Photo courtesy of mtv.com