Chris Lighty's death: A Chance To Open Up About Suicide

WOW!  Chris Lighty was found dead yesterday (Sept 30, 2012.)  Unless you are a hip-hop head (like myself), you might not know who he is, but you have certainly heard of the artists he has managed over the years.  He has worked with Mariah Carey, Fantasia, LL Cool J, Missy Elliot and 50 Cent just to name a few.

He was a brilliant manager and a marketing guru who has shaped careers for many successful artists.  He was only 44 when he died.  It completely shocked the entire industry. 

Cause of death: suicide.

It seems as though suicides have been on the rise lately.  Maybe it's because the stigma regarding suicide among the African American community has lightened.  Or the current generation is a little more open to discussing a topic that has always been hush hush among the Black community.  (Suicide has often been regarded just one of those things that "Black people just don't do".)  But I've noticed higher numbers in suicides in the past year.

It's time that we start talking.  

I realize that this topic is not easy to talk about, but if a simple discussion could save the life of someone you cared about wouldn't you have it?

Suicide is rarely spontaneous.  There are often many warning signs that we can catch if we are in tune with the people around us.  But first we need to pay attention.  We need to reach out when someone spontaneously crosses our minds.  We need to spend more time with our friends and family getting to know them so that when something is wrong we are able to identify it.

There is no quick-fix answer. No text book can tell us how to prevent it.  All I know is that it is a problem and the only way to remedy it is to open our mouths and talk!

I wasn't planning to go that deep on you on a Friday before the last long weekend of the summer, but hearing of Lightly death really made me wonder WHY?  Why would anyone, regardless of race, age, gender or class consider ending it all as the only option.

I can only hope that his death sheds light on the subject and that somewhere around a dining room table someone is talking about suicide prevention.

Prays and positive vibes to his entire family, and to anyone who has recently lost someone.

RIP Chris Lighty

Aaliyah: It's Been 11 Years Already!

I can't believe that it's been almost 11 years since Aaliyah has passed away!  It's crazy how fast time passes. I still remember hearing the news for the first time.  I was excited about her new video, 'Rock The Boat' and I remember there being a buzz around the fact that she was filming in The Bahamas.  I remember hearing it and not believing that it was true. (Now this was before we depended on computers and wikipedia for all of our fact-checking) and waited for the news to confirm it! It really was a sad day!

She was such an incredible talent and a great actress who had a budding career ahead of her.  She had just started making movies, was engaged to Damon Dash, she literally was starting her life when it was cut short.

It makes me wonder what she would have been like at 33?  I wonder how her music would have evolved?  I wonder how her music career would have been?  She was only 22 when she passed away! She was so young!

I've been listening and reminiscing on her music and 90s hip hop and R&B in general and that was a great time for music!   The vibe was different.  The music had more depth and meaning. Videos had story lines and plots to follow. It's a little scary to look at what this generation has to look back on as 'old skool' when they grow up!

Here's a few Aaliyah tracks to remind you of the 'good old days!'

What's your favorite Aaliyah track?

Try Again:

Are You That Somebody:

Four Page Letter:

Rock The Boat:

Hot Like Fire: