Where were you?

I remember where I was.  Plainfield, NJ.  I was embarking on yet another step towards my destiny.  My music career needed another jolt.  When Phyllis Hyman died, about 5 or 6 years before, I felt a sense of loss, too.  When I heard the news, my first instinct wasn't to check what was trending on Twitter, or to see if anyone on Facebook had heard yet ( like I do now).  Instead, I relied on radio reports which stated that "they" got it from a good source. 

How could it be that someone so lovely and sweet.....on verge of making musical history be gone? So soon? I had already been playing her CD on repeat. Probably one of the last CD's I bought and listened to from beginning to end.  

Click below to buy:

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The Newark Branch of ACTSO had a skating party planned that day.  The kids were asking me if it was true. I said I didn't want to believe that it was, but it appeared so.  The day was also to be the last time I would see those students that I had grown so fond of during the time we mentored them.  I was moving back to Cali to try to rejuvenate myself and care for my mom who was having some health issues.  Although I wanted our last time together to be a happy one....a celebration of accomplishments and new chapters, it was truly a sad day.

I watched the funeral services on TV as many of us had, trying not to be bitter because the TV Journalist just didn't understand the outpouring of love for "our angel".  The loss felt like our sister, cousin, and best friend was taken from us abruptly and it hurt.  It still hurts. 10 years later.  To this day, I have not watched the last film she appeared in, "Queen of the Damned".  I couldn't.   It seemed too raw at the time.  Although chronologically it has been 10 years....it still feels like yesterday when I got the call "Did you hear....?".

Sadly, I ALSO remember how cruel certain DJ's on HOT 97 were in creating what they thought would be a "joke" on the Monday after her death.  Star's actions were disgraceful in his decision to be so insensitive.  A petition was circulated for his removal. It took some time, however he is no longer on that station. I remember listening to Angie Martinez that day and hearing Q-tip call in, distraught over the poor choice.....and obviously the pain we all felt, stating that his "boy....just lost his girl".  Referring to Dame Dash. 



Her spirit lives on in her music, in her infectious smile, her silliness (I still remember from footage from MTV Diary) and the Haughton Family.  To the Haughton Family, I'd like to say thank you for sharing "Baby Girl" with us. 

Check out this remix by Ahmed Sirour (Eric Roberson, Teri Tobin, Lenore Jaye, Cleveland Jones)


   Aaliyah - One in a Million (Ahmed Sirour remix) by Ahmed Sirour

So, where were you when you heard?