Remembering Aaliyah (January 16, 1979 – August 25, 2001)
Today, as Hurricane Irene storms over the Bahamas, we also mourn another tragic event that took place on the island ten years ago today.
On August 25, 2001, I was downtown Toronto celebrating my friend Melissa's birthday at a club when the DJ announced the news: Aaliyah Dana Haughton and eight others had been killed in a plane crash.
We thought it was a prank...but at the same time, realized that the DJ wouldn't stop the middle of a nice vibe unless he was absolutely certain it was the truth.
The night was, of course, dampened by the news. In fact, I can't remember if the night even really continued after that. The dancing subsided. People filtered out of the club. How could they enjoy music, after all, when one of music's treasures had just lost her life?
Every time we hear " Rock the Boat ," I know we all remember her last music video. Her last hit song that she would enjoy...and the way death was plaguing the urban music community far too freque...