#pepperdine

Today is the birthday of Aaliyah's cousin, Jomo Hankerson; son of the evil leprechaun and devil himself, Barry Hankerson.

Born Jomo Kenyatta Hankerson on September 26, 1969. Roughly 10 years their senior, he was trusted with the task of walking young Aaliyah and Rashad home from school when their mother couldn’t; they live five (5) blocks from each other. Aaliyah grew up with many pets, including ducks, snakes, and iguanas. Her cousin Jomo had a pet Alligator (which Aaliyah felt was a big much).  

“I was in my last year at Pepperdine University when we started Blackground records in ‘91”, Jomo shared with Fader Magazine (in 2011).

After the R.K scandal, Jomo didn’t feel it was fair that the public villainize Aaliyah and ultimately, they felt they were blackballed from the music industry because of how difficult it was to get producers for the sophomore album. 

When Lifetime did their disgraceful Aaliyah biopic movie, Jomo shared the similarities he saw Zendaya going through that Aaliyah went through and shared with V103 that (like Aaliyah), “She’s just trying to get a job and just work, it’s not her”. 

When asked who he thought should play Aaliyah instead, Jomo responded, “I would love to get Zoe Saldana”. He continued saying, “I think she could pull off the acting part and she’s obviously gorgeous and beautiful”.

There is little to no other information on Jomo Hankerson online.

Pepperdine

Muse: Keenan.