As with most breaking news these days, I first became aware of the passing of Whitney Houston via social media, specifically Twitter. The two people who first posted the news on my timeline aren’t the type to indulge in the usual tomfoolery so I took their tweets seriously. I then visited TMZ, who (as always) had the story posted before any of the so-called legitimate news outlets. Ever since the death of Michael Jackson, I’ve considered TMZ a credible source; when I saw the headline on their site, I knew it was true.

Was I fan of Whitney Houston’s music? Yes, of course, who wasn’t? Though her debut album was released in 1985, I didn’t become truly conscious of her until she dropped the hit single “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” I was visiting family friends in Sacramento, California, during the summer of 1987, and “I Wanna Dance …” was that summer’s anthem.

Though “I Wanna Dance …” was what really triggered my awareness of Whitney, my favorite song by her is the supremely affecting ballad “I Have Nothing” off the soundtrack to the blockbuster film The Bodyguard, in which she co-starred with Kevin Costner. Most people point to “I Will Always Love You” or her cover of Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman”—both exceptional songs, no question—but “I Have Nothing” resonated powerfully with me, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t head to YouTube to watch the video upon learning of Whitney’s passing.

After her contributions to the stellar soundtrack to Waiting to Exhale (in which Whitney also starred), I kind of lost track of her musically. To be honest, I’m not familiar with anything she did after My Love is Your Love. Well, except for that reality television show with Bobby Brown.

Though she’d fallen off my personal musical radar the past few years, the reality is, Whitney was still making platinum-selling albums and chart-topping songs. She was reaching a new generation of fans. And no matter what, she will always be regarded as an innovator, a music icon.

Her voice was incredible, her influence undeniable. She broke boundaries across all genres of music, able to deftly handle powerhouse ballads, dance pop numbers, and soulful R&B with ease. It simply cannot be argued: Whitney Houston is legend.

It’s always shocking and saddening when our icons pass away. There’s always an excessive outpour of grief, a campaign to prove that one has always been a lifelong fan despite the tasteless jokes and comments made only a year, a month, a week prior. My mother always said, “Give me roses while I’m still alive, while I can still enjoy their scent and admire their beauty.” Here’s to hoping Whitney enjoyed her roses before her untimely passing.

Rest in peace, rest in power, rest in paradise, Whitney Houston.

Photo: Whitney Houston performs at the 2011 Pre-Grammy Gala and Salute To Industry Icons February 12, 2011. (Matt Sayles / AP via the New York Daily News)