Created with M·A·C.

Aaliyah starred on one of the most iconic i-D covers of all time. Shot by Matt Jones for the September 2001 issue, hair covering one eye, it was a tribute to the woman who’d revolutionized how women in R&B were perceived. It was also to be her last cover. 17 years later, i-D is teaming up with M·A·C with a film celebrating how Aaliyah is still inspiring creatives from across all walks of life, in a non-linear A-Z exploring her legacy directed by Cara Stricker.

Aaliyah became an all-American icon not by following trends, but by creating her own. From the tomboyish wardrobe, replete with baggy pants and crop tops, to her poker straight curtain of hair, Aaliyah defined the look of a generation. Her sound was unique, her divine voice slipping in and out of Missy and Timbaland’s beats, while her moves were lightning.

M·A·C’s collection is not just inspired by Aaliyah — it came about because of the tireless campaigning of her fans, who wanted to see their idol honored with a M·A·C collaboration. Thus, the film features not only friends of Aaliyah, such as Missy Elliott and Timbaland, but also five fans who wrote in (or, sung in — they are a multi-talented group) following a call on i-D’s Instagram, telling us why they should have a voice too.

There was no shortage of frequent i-D collaborators wanting to celebrate her too, from Princess Nokia, who appears bestriding a motorbike, to Richie Shazam, who catwalks through the streets of Bed-Stuy. Empress Of emulates her gothic Queen of the Damned look, while Keke Palmer muses on why Aaliyah means so much to her.

Throughout, we were guided by her brother Rashad Haughton, Team Timbo created a soundtrack inspired by her idiosyncratic sound, and Aaliyah’s collaborators Tre Major, Eric Ferrell and Derek Lee consulted on hair, makeup and styling, respectively.

This is the A-Z of Aaliyah.

Source: i-D.Vice.com

We ask our God for comfort and peace: Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

As the sands of time drift into the wind without you physically here, your essence still never dims, as do our memories shine as a beacon to one day lead us to you. We will continue the good work for the legacy you deserve and never forget the love you showed to all people in this world. To know your dad is by your side along with the rest of our beloved angels gives us comfort. Remembering this week in which a mother, father and daughter were born to enter this mortal coil on the 10th, 11th and 16th respectively, the truth is that we are all infinite, and your impact and art, eternal and the love we share — forever.

With You In Our Hearts,

Keeth, Eric, Anthony, Gina, Christopher, Doug, Scott and Luis, until the end of time.

Mom and Ra

“The Special Ones” are always with us. Bless Them!

January 16, 2017

On this day in memory of Aaliyah and the love she had for children everywhere a donation has been made to the St Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Bless them all with love, the absence of worry and pain and strength to the families that stand together with hope in their hearts.

Forever and Always…
Love,
The Haughton Family

( …The 70th Academy Awards were the Most Watched Oscars in History, Ever… )

Xyrena is for those you love and for LiLi it was a dream of hers involving wonderful and committed people with pure love and respect. We would like to thank everyone who worked on her music and films. There are so many… Thank you forever to all the great producers, all at Warners, Village Roadshow, all wardrobe, makeup artists, editors, accountants, assistants, agents and the CAA. If we left anyone out, and we’re sure we may have, we forever thank them as well… this goes out to *EVERYONE*, THANK YOU!! Life all these years without talking to her, watching her grow, hugging her, smoothing her hair and just to see her. While some want to speak negatively about anyone who left this earth, it is a lot to bear. Peace to all who have lost anyone. Pray in your way for them, not against them.    We dedicate “One More Chance” from Biggie, “You and Me Against the World” by Gladys Knight & the Pips and “A House Is Not a Home” by both Luther Vandross and Dionne Warwick. Bless You All and Thank You, Always…

~ The Haughton Family ~

Fourteen years after her passing, Team Aaliyah is launching a fragrance. Perfume company Xyrena has announced the official scent, which was developed in close collaboration with Diane and Rashad Haughton, the late singer’s mother and brother.

“It has been wonderful working with Xyrena to create an incredible fragrance that embodies the beauty, mystery, and creativity that my sister infused into every aspect of her life,” explained Rashad in a press release.

“I grew up with Aaliyah’s music,” added Killian Wells, Xyrena’s CEO. “As a huge fan, this is a very personal release for me and my company. We set out to create a fragrance to be cherished by Aaliyah’s fans and also introduce her to a new generation.”

The unisex fragrance leans masculine, a nod to Aaliyah’s favored men’s scents that fall in line with her sexy tomboy image. The formula is a hue of black, Aaliyah’s favorite color. Aaliyah by Xyrena contains base notes of vanilla, sandalwood, amber, and jasmine; middle notes of black pepper, violet and leather; with top notes of mint, lavender, and mandarin.

The Extrait de Parfum retails for $64, and is now available for pre-order, with shipments beginning in mid-October. Five percent of gross sales will be donated to The Aaliyah Memorial Fund.

Read Original Article Here

“Father Honored”
The definition of the word father is simply a man who has begotten and raised a child. I was blessed to be the son of Michael Haughton who transcended this definition. To me, a father is a man who embodies the divine connotation of the word. A man who guides a son and daughter spiritually, physically and mentally through the perils of life, while protecting them and their mother like a king overseeing the prosperity and enlightenment of his kingdom.

My father instilled in me the importance of family, education and respect. I learned how to treat a woman by the way he loved and cherished my mother, grandmother and sister. Although he lost his father at a young age, he defied expectations and maintained a marriage and solid household for his family while being present and involved in every aspect of our lives.

When I told him I wanted to become a professional wrestler he grabbed me and taught me how to play basketball and I made the team the first time I tried out. Looking back now, thank God he did that. Although I still love wrestling, Dad knew it was not for me.

When I was rebellious he didn’t simply punish me without cause. He pushed me to become better, making sure I entered the declamation poetry contest at school which I eventually won overall prize sparking the belief in myself as a writer and lover of literature.

He exposed my sister and I to martial arts and showed me hundreds of films. I now live in Japan where my sister performed concerts in front of thousands and my life and love of the culture is evolving into more than I could have dreamed of. It all began with the unique and colorful mind of my father and the gifts he shared with us.

When I was still just a boy, he took me to see the sci-fi, action and drama films that would inspire me to pursue film. He taught me aspects of religion, philosophy and culture that shaped my vision of the world and myself. Most of all my Dad loved me, with every fiber of his being. And every fiber of my being is what is today because of him.

When I was young he always used to tell me to be “raw”. “Raw” was a code-word between us that meant to be a tough, strong and hard man so that I could overcome any adversity in life. I have faced many adversities, and the day I lost my Dad, only my eyes were “raw” from crying. But now that I am older, I realize the brilliance of my Dad’s word choice — the realization that “raw” also means to be tender — having the strength to feel emotion, be vulnerable so that you can open your heart to the world. Anyone who came in contact with my Dad loved him instantly, because he was the most loving, intelligent, generous and caring man in the world. Dad, you are my inspiration, my teacher, my confidant, my best friend — the hero of the movie in my heart, the memory of my childhood, and the perfect adventure to come. And don’t worry, I will be “Raw” no matter what. I love you forever. We will meet again soon!

Your Son,
Rashad

An Everlasting Quote
A truly special quote from Aaliyah’s and Rashad’s Grandfather. For this day and every day…
“Everyone has a chance in this country now to get where you want and as high as you want as long as you have the brains, that’s why I emphasize to everyone in America to get some education.”

“The Man”
Dedicated to Marco, from Rashad,
“My Brother, My Friend Always, Mi Hermano, Marco”

Can be strong, maybe weak,
But must always be proud.
Can be soft spoken or a torrent of confidence,
Never must be plundered beneath.
Responsibility, a value he must have,
For on his back are the burden of bills.
But his will to survive will never let him down,
He’ll keep going until he reaches his peak.
He might be very tough, and extremely strong,
To be equal in strength with any other man,
There must be love and kindness at hand.
From nine to five he may work tenaciously,
He might come home tired and fatigued,
But his tempo will never cease,
For he is a man and a man is a man.

Through his life, his confidence may fade,
At times all empty his strength may be,
But to rise should be every man’s quality,
Rise — Rise — Rise!

To come back strong with demand and faith,
With his fist brandished high,
He will — he will — he will.
Along this journey of complexity called life,
Opportunities and chances will come his way.
He is a man to judge right from wrong.
His life is his; he may incredulously decide,
When or how it may end.
In poverty?
In riches?
But a man knows there are casualties in life,
But a man knows things will come together,
But a man knows…

In the end, a man’s age may rise in number,
His skin may gradually wrinkle,
His hair may eventually gray.
But the man is a man,
Who knows what kind of man he really is,
“For he is a man and a man is a man.”

Rashad Haughton

“Dance with My Father”
by Luther Vandross