“Twenty Questions To The Beat Y’all…(Pt. 3)”

Thoughts, queries and shit we pretty know the answer to, but briefly wonder about anyway…

1. By a show of hands, how many of us are wondering how in the hell we have time to earn awards let alone have so many award shows—NAACP Image Awards, BET Awards, BET Hip-Hop Awards, Dove Awards, BET Honors, Grammy, etc.?

2. Isn’t cool that Musiq Soulchild and Anthony Hamilton has stepped up the music game, channeling the spirit, heart and sound of Marvin (Gaye), Eddie (Kendricks), & David (Ruffin)? Are we not marveling how they are representing strong for the short dudes?

3. Are we not equally impressed with Tyrese channeling a combo of Teddy Pendergrass and Sam Cooke?

4. By a show of hands, how many of us had not really thought about how close liquor stores are to schools before Tyrese blasted Delaware radio listeners?

5. Is Estelle’s, “Thank You,” the new break up anthem?

6. Aren’t we digging the sophisticated yet sultry sounds of Marcia Ambrosius?

7. Are the foreign songbirds—Estelle and Marcia, giving Mary J., Fantasia, and ‘em a run for their money?

8. Isn’t it cool to see T.I. and Tiny handling the day-to-day problems of a large family? But, by a show of hands, how many of us think King is in serious need of an old fashioned ass-whipping with a switch, extension cord or shoe? Guys: do you feel sorry that T.I. is banned from weapons and pretty much powerless against the dudes trying to step to his daughters?

9. Are we not proud of our divas—Jennifer, Janet, and Mariah for making the commitment to lose weight?

10. How many of us who struggle to make it to the gym after slaving at a regular job want to see behind the scenes footage of said divas fighting off snack attacks or refusing to work out and having to be kicked in the head & dragged to the gym by their trainer, personal assistant, etc.?

11. After all he went through with Sony Music, how many of us think that Prince is a hypocritical asshole for refusing to allow the Time to use their stage name now that they have reunited?

12. By a show of hands, how many of us are willing to bet that Toni Morrison’s, “Beloved” was not in the trunk full of 300 books that Oprah sent Blue Ivy Carter?

13. Who was for a minute sick of “Love On Top,” but can’t help do the “Beyoncé” dance every time we hear it?

14. Aren’t we digging Cee-Lo Green & Melanie Fiona on, “Fool For You?”

15. But aren’t we just a little disturbed to hear a grown-ass black man say, “Oh, chile,” with such conviction and so reminiscent of ‘70’s singer Sylvester (“You Make Me Feel Mighty Real”)?

16. Shouldn’t Chris Brown, who reportedly recently tweeted Rihanna, be sat down and explained why exactly it is that actress Denise Nicholas and singer Bill Withers do not exchange Christmas cards or Ike and Tina were never within 100 miles of each other post-divorce?

17. By a show of hands, how many of us hear the following people talk and immediately think of nails on a chalkboard: NeeNee Leakes, Tasha Smith and Fantasia?

18. Still in shock or mourning over Heavy D?

19. Is the mixtape more popular than radio?

20. Isn’t it sad that the majority of urban music has become more about endorsements, landing a reality television show, etc. instead of, “great music that soothes your heart & moves your feet created by truly talented artists who actually give a damn about the crap they are putting out?”