When an entertainer passes, as fans of their work, we tend to feel the loss in different degrees. Sometimes it is simply acknowledging their passing with a “damn..so and so is gone?” or  ”RIP so and so”. In other cases, the loss is felt so strongly that is feels like we have just lost  a close friend or family member. Personally, up until the death of Michael Jackson, I think the untimely death of songstress Aaliyah had the single greatest impact on me. To me, it felt like I lost a close friend. I clearly remember sitting in utter disbelief upon hearing the news and refusing to listen to any of her music for over a year. In retrospect, I’m not quite sure why I took the loss so hard. I liked her music but I wouldn’t consider myself her BIGGEST FAN? Maybe it was because she was such a beautiful spirit and talent and in an unfortunate turn of events she was just…gone. In the blink of an eye her life was just snubbed out.  It just seemed so unfair?!

I often wonder what her music would sound like today? How she would have evolved musically? Would there have been an Aaliyah clothing line at Target or would she be part of ROC-A-WEAR? Would she have had major endorsements for make up or sports apparel? (Yeah probably cover girl and Nike.) Would the relationship with Damon Dash have lasted? Would Jay z and Damon Dash still be together? (I’m not saying she was the cause of their break up, I’m just wondering out loud.) So many questions, that we will never have answers to; nevertheless, we do have the greatest gift to celebrate her life – her music. On the 9^th anniversary of her passing I wanted to post one of my favorite Aaliyah songs. It is a true testament to life, “If first you don’t succeed, dust yourself and try again”… RIP Baby Girl!