S. Samuel
Music stars Cassie and DMX have shared their thoughts on the 11-year anniversary of late singer Aaliyah's passing and how much of an impact she made in the music industry.
The Bad Boy Records princess thanked Aaliyah for paving a lane for her in a male-dominated industry.
“Aaliyah, You will ALWAYS be in my heart. Thank you for paving such an amazing, revolutionary direction for our generation. Your smile and heart is missed. Love you.,” she tweeted August 25th. (Cassie’s Twitter)
DMX recalled their memorable “Come Back in One Piece” music video.
“I had fun shooting that video,” the 41-year-old Yonkers, N.Y., native admits. “My wife [Tashera Simmons] got mad because there was one scene I was sitting up on the bench and [Aaliyah] was sitting [below] between my legs. I had on a jean jacket, it was a little chilly, and [Aaliyah] just had on a T-shirt. I was rubbing her arms, warming her up… I just felt the eyeballs [from Tashera]. A wife can give you a stare that will burn the side of your head. It was like a magnifying glass with the sun on me [laughs]. But I wouldn’t change a thing.” (The Boom Box)
The singer’s ex-boyfriend/music mogul Dame Dash recently reacted to reports of rapper Drake “commanding” a posthumous Aaliyah LP.
“Anytime I can hear her voice, that’s a good thing. And anyone that respected her enough to make a record with her, I appreciate ya’ll,” he said. “I haven’t heard the record, but I appreciate the art of it. I love hearing her voice. I hope it’s something that I haven’t heard before.” When asked if he’d like to lend a hand in assisting with the project if offered, Dame wrestled with the idea. “That’s interesting. I didn’t know that,” he said to the news of a posthumous album. “It depends on how he [Drake] wants me to help. I don’t know what I could bring to the table there, but yeah I would do it. Anything involving Aaliyah and it’s positive and the energy [is] right with it, I would be a part of it. My love for Aaliyah will never change.” (The Juice)
No stranger to showing affection toward her, the rapper penned an open letter in her honor two years ago.
“I’ve never lost a parent, a friend, or a lover but I will never forget this day for the rest of my life. I remember getting the news that you had passed and it connected with my heart like a clean shot from Muhammad Ali. I was crushed. Not only was I one of your biggest fans but I was truly in love with you. I loved the way you carried yourself, the way you dressed, the confidence with which you addressed passion and relationships in your music. I said to myself that even if we never met, I wanted a woman in my life just like you. I am pained that we will never get to connect now that music ended up being my career path. But you should know, we all listen to you everyday and we remain inspired and moved by all that you’ve given the world. I hope I make the right life choices so I can end up in heaven where I know you rest your head. I’ll continue to make music in your honor until the day we finally meet. Dinner’s on me!” (Rap Radar)
