Rashad Haughton Explained

Rashad Haughton
Birth Name:Rashad Hasan Haughton
Birth Date:6 August 1977
Birth Place:New York City, United States
Education:Hofstra University
Occupation:Writer, director
Years Active:1997–present
Family:Aaliyah (sister)
Barry Hankerson (uncle)

Rashad Hasan Haughton (born August 6, 1977) is an American writer, film director and screenwriter.[1] Haughton is the older brother of American singer and actress Aaliyah and nephew of Blackground Records founder Barry Hankerson.

Early life

Rashad Hasan Haughton was born in Brooklyn, New York, on August 6, 1977, to Diane (née Hankerson) and Michael Haughton.[2] Haughton’s mother is African-American and his father’s parents were from Jamaica.[3] He and his younger sister Aaliyah (1979-2001) were born 17 months apart. When he was seven years old, the family moved to Detroit.[4] [5] He and Aaliyah attended a Catholic school, Gesu Elementary. Haughton graduated from Aquinas High School in 1995 and Hofstra University in 2000.

Career

1994 - Present: Acting, writing and directing

Haughton appeared in a number of Aaliyah's music videos, including "Age Ain't Nothing but a Number", "If Your Girl Only Knew", "4 Page Letter" and "Hot Like Fire". When production started on the "4 Page Letter" video, Haughton completed the video synopsis within two hours, fitting it in between his studies at Hofstra University. The video was directed by Daniel Pearl.[6] [7]

In 2000, Haughton wrote and directed The Mim Rose. It starred Aaliyah as Melissa.[8]

In February 2002, Queen of the Damned, a film which starred Aaliyah as Queen Akasha, was released. The film debuted at number one and was dedicated to Aaliyah. Before its release, Haughton was called in to re-dub several of his sister's lines during the post-production ADR process.[9] [10] [11]

In 2004, Haughton appeared in the film Proud, playing the role of Hank Fields.

In 2006, Haughton released the short film Chrysalis which he wrote and directed.[12] Additionally, Haughton wrote and directed Love Like Aliens[13] in 2011 and Muga Shozoku[14] in 2015.

1997 - 2004: Music

"Death of a Playa" appeared on the B-side of the "4 Page Letter" single, a track Haughton wrote and recorded with Aaliyah. It was produced by Timbaland. In 2004, Haughton was featured on "Fork In The Road" (with 1200 Techniques), which peaked at number 55 on Australian Charts. [15]

Aaliyah's legacy

2001 — 2002: awards and charity

Haughton appeared at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards to pay tribute to his sister, alongside Aaliyah's role model Janet Jackson and her close friends/coworkers Ginuwine, Missy Elliott, and Timbaland. The awards were presented just 12 days after Aaliyah's death, on September 6, and originally she was booked as one of its presenters.[16] [17] [18] [19]

On October 27, 2001, Aaliyah was scheduled to perform a duet with Seal at Breathe, a benefit concert for breast cancer treatment and research. Instead, Haughton presented the $41,000 check and introduced a tribute performance to Aaliyah by Seal.[20]

On February 10, 2002, at the Hollywood Black Film Festival's closing night, Haughton accepted the Inspirational Spirit Award given to Aaliyah posthumously for her lifetime of excellence in entertainment.[21] On February 23, 2002, Haughton accepted the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Female Artist on Aaliyah's behalf.[22]

2017 — present: MAC collection, Madame Tussauds and discography rerelease

On August 24, 2017, MAC Cosmetics announced that an Aaliyah collection would be made available in the summer of 2018. The Aaliyah for Mac collection was released on June 20 online and June 21 in stores. Along with the MAC collection, MAC and i-D Magazine partnered up to release a short film titled "A-Z of Aaliyah" which coincided with the launch. Haughton dealt with the media promotion: "We wanted to create a line where the minimalism is there. You can re-create those archive looks from videos and film, but at the same time, mix, match, experiment, and imagine what Aaliyah’s style would look and feel like in 2018 and the future [...] My sister’s fans are so lovely and respectful [...] if they see something that is not approved by [the family], they attack it. They are very protective of my sister, which is heartwarming."[23] [24]

On August 21, 2019, the Madame Tussauds Las Vegas revealed a wax figure of Aaliyah. The lifesize figure was modelled on Aaliyah's iconic "Try Again" outfit and makeup. It was unveiled by Haughton to an invited audience.[25] [26] [27]

In August 2021, it was reported that the One in a Million album and Aaliyah's other recorded work with Blackground (since rebranded as Blackground Records 2.0) would be re-released on physical, digital, and streaming services in a deal between the record label and Empire Distribution. However, Aaliyah's estate, run in part by Haughton, issued a statement preempting Blackground 2.0's announcement, denouncing an "unscrupulous endeavor to release Aaliyah's music without any transparency or full accounting to the estate".[28] [29] [30] One In A Million was reissued on August 20, 2021[31] [32] [33] and re-entered the UK Official Hip Hop and R&B Albums Chart Top 40 at number eight[34] and reached the top ten for on the Billboard 200 in the US for the first time at number ten, selling 26,000 album-equivalent units in the week ending of August 26.[35] After the album's re-release, Aaliyah re-entered the UK Official Hip Hop and R&B Albums Chart Top 40 at number seven[36] and reentered the US Billboard 200 chart at number 13, charting at number four for high pure sales.[37]

Filmography

As writer and director

YearTitleNotes
2000The Mim RoseStarred Aaliyah as Melissa
2006Chrysalis
2011Love Like Aliens
2015Muga Shozoku

As actor

YearTitleRoleNotes
2002Queen of the DamnedAkashaVoice only; uncredited
2004ProudHank Fields

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rashad Haughton Filmography. IMDb. 7 June 2023.
  2. Web site: Aaliyah's Parents Diane & Michael Haughton. Daily Entertainment News. May 24, 2021.
  3. News: Vibe Magazine's Emil Wilbekin: Remembering Aaliyah . August 27, 2001 . CNN . May 6, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090616164855/http://archives.cnn.com/2001/COMMUNITY/08/27/welbekin.cnna/index.html . June 16, 2009 . dead . mdy-all .
  4. Book: Kenyatta, Kelly . 2002 . An R&B Princess in Words and Pictures . Amber Books Publishing . 0-9702224-3-2 . 3.
  5. Book: Bogdanov, Vladimir. Woodstra, Chris . Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. All Music Guide to Rock. Hal Leonard Corporation. 2002. 1. 0-87930-653-X.
  6. Web site: Aaliyah Week: How 'One In A Million' Pushed The Envelope Of R&B. Augustin. Camille. August 26, 2016. Vibe. July 19, 2018.
  7. http://www.aaliyah.com
  8. Web site: The Mim Rose. imdb. 20 December 2021.
  9. Web site: Aaliyah film finished by brother. BBC. December 24, 2001. May 24, 2021.
  10. Web site: Rashad Haughton - CBS Interview 2002. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/kaw5xXwVy64 . 2021-12-19 . live. CBS. February 21, 2002. May 24, 2021.
  11. Web site: This Day in Horror: QUEEN OF THE DAMNED Was Released in 2002. dreadcentral]. February 22, 2020. May 24, 2021.
  12. Web site: Chrysalis. IMDb. May 24, 2021.
  13. Web site: Love Like Aliens. IMDb. May 24, 2021.
  14. Web site: Muga Shozoku. IMDb. May 24, 2021.
  15. Web site: 1200 Techniques "Fork In The Road" (feat. Rashad Haughton). Spotify. May 24, 2021.
  16. Web site: JANET, MISSY, OTHERS HONOR AALIYAH DURING VMAS; JACKSON READS LETTER SUBMITTED TO MTV.COM BY FAN; AALIYAH'S BROTHER THANKS FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES WHO OFFERED CONDOLENCES.. https://web.archive.org/web/20141219055634/http://www.mtv.com/news/1448717/janet-missy-others-honor-aaliyah-during-vmas/. dead. December 19, 2014. MTV. September 6, 2001. May 24, 2021. Dangelo. Joe.
  17. Web site: Aaliyah's family plan tribute. BBC. September 6, 2001. May 24, 2021.
  18. Web site: Aaliyah's brother onstage at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards. Getty Images. September 6, 2001. May 24, 2021. Gries. Scott.
  19. Web site: Aaliyah Recalled at MTV Awards. Los Angeles Times. September 7, 2001. May 24, 2021. Boucher. Geoff.
  20. Web site: Third Eye Blind, Seal, Liz Phair Rock For Breathe Breast Cancer Benefit. October 30, 2001. May 24, 2021.
  21. Web site: FOURTH ANNUAL HOLLYWOOD BLACK FILM FESTIVAL. February 4, 2002. May 24, 2021.
  22. Web site: Rashad Haughton, brother of singer Aaliyah, accepts the award for Outstanding Female Artist on behalf of his late sister at the 33rd NAACP Image Awards at the Universal Amphitheater in Universal City, California, February 23. WireImage. May 24, 2021.
  23. We Just Caught a First-Look at the MAC x Aaliyah Makeup Collection. Hubbard. Lauren. Harper's Bazaar. April 2, 2018. May 24, 2021.
  24. Web site: Why Aaliyah for M.A.C. Is So Important, According to Rashad Haughton. Acquaye. Alisha. Teen Vogue. June 7, 2018. May 24, 2021.
  25. Aaliyah to be Honored With Wax Figure at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas. Aniftos. Rania. Billboard. August 8, 2019. May 24, 2021.
  26. Web site: Aaliyah's Brother Unveils New Wax Figure of the Late Singer at Madame Tussauds; The unveiling comes days before the 18th anniversary of the plane crash that claimed Aaliyah's life. People. Runtagh. Jordan. August 22, 2019. May 24, 2021.
  27. Web site: Exclusive: Aaliyah's Madame Tussauds Wax Figure Channels "Try Again" Era. Vibe. Ellis. Stacey-Ann. August 22, 2019. May 24, 2021.
  28. Web site: IStandWithAaliyah. Twitter. 5 August 2021. 20 August 2021.
  29. Web site: Aaliyah's Estate Slams Her Uncle's 'Unauthorized' Announcement of Releasing Her Music To Streaming Platforms. thatgrapejuice. 4 August 2021. 20 August 2021.
  30. Web site: Aaliyah estate denounces upcoming 'unauthorized projects' as 'Blackground 2.0' emerges. Metro Times. DeVito. Lee. 5 August 2021. 20 August 2021. 21 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210821125721/https://www.metrotimes.com/city-slang/archives/2021/08/05/aaliyah-estate-denounces-upcoming-unauthorized-projects-as-blackground-20-emerges. dead.
  31. Web site: 20 August 2021. Aaliyah albums streaming: 'Her influence is absolutely everywhere'. 20 August 2021. BBC.
  32. Web site: Minsker. Evan. 20 August 2021. Aaliyah's One in a Million Arrives to Streaming Amid Dispute Between Label and Estate. 20 August 2021. Pitchfork.
  33. Web site: Legaspi. Althea. 20 August 2021. Stream Aaliyah's 'One in a Million' Album. 20 August 2021. Rolling Stone.
  34. Web site: Official Hip Hop and R&B Albums Chart Top 40, 27 August 2021 - 02 September 2021. . 27 August 2021. 27 August 2021.
  35. Olivia Rodrigo's 'Sour' Returns to No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart After Vinyl Release. Billboard. August 29, 2021.
  36. Web site: Official Hip Hop and R&B Albums Chart Top 40, 17 September 2021 to 23 September 2021. . 17 September 2021. 17 September 2021.
  37. Web site: Aaliyah. Twitter. September 20, 2021. September 21, 2021.