{Trailer} ABC News Upcoming Special- "Superstar: Aaliyah"

As with any iconic artist' young life taken abruptly, there will be story after story told for years and years to come.  A couple weeks before her death in August 2001, we were able to get a pure and intimate look of Aaliyah's life on MTV's show 'Diary'.  No one could imagine a tragic ending was near.  Over the last 20 years, we've gotten a Lifetime network movie and music documentaries exploring the 22 years of life of the singer/actress/model.. Aaliyah.  

ABC News 'Superstar' special, will also, focus on Aaliyah's life and impact.  Personal accounts and interviews are shared from music industry, journalists, artists, family, and then boyfriend... Damon Dash.  If you are wondering, to address the elephant in the room... YES.. the special discusses the situation with Robert.  Catch the trailer after the jump!

{Personal Post} PHOTOS:: The Velvet Rope Experience Aaliyah Themed Arts Showcase

*cues We Need a Resolution.

Am I supposed to change?  Are you supposed to change?

On August 26th, the following day of the 21st anniversary of her death, The Velvet Rope Experience held an Arts Showcase celebrating the life and legacy of Aaliyah.  Vendors, Live Art, Aaliyah spun tunes, and so much more filled the Creative Saints loft that evening; including Shari's InspireTheTribe.  The turn out was fantastic.  The vibe? Hot Like Fire.  

It was truly an experience.  In between working (i'll get to that), I was able to capture the moments through photos.  Take a glimpse...

via @photo_sensai

KITH Women Launches a New Aaliyah Collection with Never Before Seen Photos

Kicking off International Women's Day this year, KITH Women announced and released a new capsule of an Aaliyah collection.  In a partnership with her estate, this collection is said to have never before seen photos of the late singer/actress.  Proceeds from this collection will go to Aaliyah's former high school, Detroit School of Arts,  in addition to the I Support The Girls foundation.  Per Aaliyah's instagram, "Our goal was to uplift their next generation of female students by using our platform to share their talents and perspectives”.  Her legacy continues.  Check out a few of the items after the jump!

{Listen} :: Vashtie shares a birthday tribute to Sade, Aaliyah, FKA Twigs, and Kate Moss with mixtape "#One16Goat"

“January 16th is the birthday of Sade, Kate Moss, Aaliyah & FKA Twigs. In honor of these influential and iconic Capricorn women, I wanted to celebrate their lives through a special mix created by me.

Simply titled, #ONE16GOAT, for the animal associated with Capricorn, but also for the acronym “the greatest of all time” in reference to the goddesses born on January 16th.

Happy #ONE16GOAT Day, from your favorite Taurus!”- V. Kola

View the tracklist and listen to the mix after the jump!

Photos: American Vintage Ads reimaged with Aaliyah, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Pharrell, B.I.G., and more ...

I saw a few of these the other day, but finally got a chance to review the entire collection. Wow. French art director and designer, David Rendon, unleased his vision of re-imaged American vintage ads and marketing posters using song titles related to the music artists' in the form of a theme. The poster series is titled 'Ads Libitum'. Creativity executed to awesomeness. View below::

Video: Don't Think They Know| Chris Brown x Aaliyah

Sometimes I wonder what I did…

To deserve you…

  

I didn’t listen to the track when it first dropped, but the visual caught my eye so I gave it a spin.  It’s opposite from what I thought..I like it.  The visual is pretty cool too with the exception of one factor.  Check it out:

Interview: Dame Dash talks betrayal from Jay-Z, last days of Roc-A-Fella, Aaliyah and more...

...I mean I thought the way Jay carried things was a betrayal to the company, you know what I’m saying?...

I just felt like Roc-A-Fella should still exist.  …

And that it should.  I concur with his reasoning….

The Combat Jack show snags music mogul Dame Dash (co-founder of Roc-A-Fella records, for an in depth interview (Just Blaze is also present) about what he’s been up to, his relationship with the late Aaliyah, divorce with ex-wife Rachel Ray, and more.  In the midst of this, Dame touched on what we’ve all wanted to hear:  The downfall of Roc-A-Fella records and “departure” from Jay-Z. 

This interview is actually really long.  If you’re expecting a 20 minute convo.. try nearly an 1hr and ½.  Thankfully, the classy folks over at  theJasmineBrand ( s.o to @crelsmusic) pulled a few excerpts for those who aren't able to listen to it all:   

Why He Took Things Personal in Business:

Mental state during the last days of Roc-A-Fella:

Departing from Jay-Z:

If he felt betrayed by Jay-Z:

Womens Empowerment Wednesdays...

I know you can come better than that…

I’m sick and tired of the loose rap…

You can save that…

Don’t let “Loose rap” of another fully consume your thoughts.  As the saying goes.. don’t let someone  live in your mind rent free.  Don’t tolerate “Loose rap” by any guy approaching you.  Your demeanor should always imply for them to come correct… know your worth.  Even more… “Loose Rap” should never deter you from accomplishing a goal.. Press on!  As irrelevant as the "rap" already is, it isn’t necessary to always feed into it with a response.  Sometimes (emphasis on sometimes) it’s better to just laugh at the fxckery and continue doing ya thing.  Keep that in mind the next time someone shoots you some…Bullshit.  ;-)

Have a great week ladies…Xoxo.

Sn:  Aaliyah would have been 34 today.  It’s so sad to see the good die young.  Rest In Peace lady. 

Aaliyah... Happy 33rd Born Day

Today... we celebrate the life of the talented and beautiful Aaliyah. She would have been 33 today. Here's two of my favs...

Sigh…Another life taken too soon #RIP

10 Years Later...We remember Aaliyah

This is such a sensitive subject for me..especially dealing with Death.  I remember it was 2001... posted all over Blackplanet.com ... at the wee- hours of the morning.  I thought it was a rumor.  THEN... it was on the news sites.  My mom told me to get off the phone!  (because it was so late).. but I just looked at her and said "aaliyah died".  She didn't respond.  That meant... there was an understanding.

The next day... it hit me.  Songs all over the place... movies... videos.. pictures.  It hit me.  Then  became REALLY sad.  So sad that when I rode with my brother to take his girlfriend at the time home and they were playing her last cd.. i looked out the window and started crying...no boo hoo-ing.. but tears flowing heavily.  I never took death lightly (with anybody) and I've always had my reasons.

As soon as we watch Aaliyah reach her prime in her career.... hit records back to back... new album.. movie roles...even the point of defining herself as a woman... it was all cut short :'(

I decided to post this vid, instead of her music, because I think this displays the more personal side of Aaliyah as well as artistic.  Unfortunately... there has never been a tribute to her (that i've seen) on any award show (i.e).. but I don't think there needs to be.  This was the best one yet.  Her live footage. 

I get all emotional watching smh...

Gone too soon.... RIP Aaliyah..

 

I didn't wanna end on a sad note... so let's celebrate Aaliyah's life.  Although, she was only on the chorus for this song.. the feeling is still the same. #classic.