♫Twenty Questions To The Beat (PT. 7) ♪

1. How many of us are still digging, “Hello,” like a fresh glass of cool water in the middle of the Sahara Desert? Who, “knows that they know, that they know,’ as it were—every time Lionel hears it, he mutters, “Dayum,” in admiration? 

2. Who can legitimately brag that they have been an Adele fan since, “19”? 

3. By a show of hands, who was glued to their TV during the live performance of, “The Wiz?” and could not help but sing along to almost every single song? Thoughts of Michael, Nipsey, and Luther cross your mind during the performance of, “You Can’t Win,” “Slide Some Oil To Me,” “What Would I Do?” and “Brand New Day,” respectively? 

4. Who thinks Ne-Yo needs to do whatsonever he has to in order to get, “What Would I Do,” on his next CD? 

5. How many of us are disappointed, but not surprised that with the exception of Kendrick Lamar and a few others, most modern day artists are not speaking to the times, like Marvin Gaye, Public Enemy, Gil Scott Heron, KRS-One, N.W.A., or Sister Souljah? 

6. Did we not dig Eddie Levert’s performance during the Soul Train Music Award’s Cypher moment? 

7. By a show of hands who deems the Chrisette Michelle/Laylah Hathaway, “Cypher Moment,” reminiscent of the Badu/Scott moment in, “Dave Chappelle’s Block Party (“You Got Me”)?” Who is earnestly waiting—arms folded, for a Chrisette Michelle/Laylah Hathaway post-Cypher duet? 

8. Have we gotten used to auto tunes? Or, still holding out hope it will eventually die a terrible death and we can act like it was just a bad dream? 

9. Still vibing off the sultry sounds by The Weekend, but aching to know what, exactly, he tells his stylist when he sits down in the chair? His success a true testimony of not judging a book by its cover? 

10. By a show of hands, who has spent half their house note, or all of their car note to go see Janet (Ms. Jackson if you nasty!) in concert? 

11. Has soul music been officially revived by Laylah, Andra (Day), The Weekend, Sam (Smith), Marsha (Ambrosius), Christette, Daley and Emeli (Sande)? 

12. How pray tell, did radio show host Tom Joyner get both Patti LaBelle and Diana Ross to perform on his 2016 Fantastic Voyage? Why can’t he get Prince to agree? 

13. Saddened, surprised or simply disgusted that the press is not flooded with news about Chris Breezy donating a small portion of his new CD’s proceeds to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital? Will the press remain radio dead-air-silent if he winds up in trouble again? 

14. Because he is talented and was found not guilty, are we earnestly going to give R. Kelly a pass? Or will we forever deem him the creepy uncle you cannot leave alone with the children? 

15. Will recently engaged Cee-Lo Green get a pass? 

16. Was the overdosing of Aretha Franklin tracks on this season’s, “Scandal,” a Jedi Mind Trick to make viewers forgot that the plotline has become critically weak and the episodes have all lacked Olivia Pope actually, “fixing,” stuff? 

17. Disappointed, betrayed or not surprised by, “Empire’s,” lack of musical punch and semi-predictable storylines this season? 

18. By a show of hands, who is impressed with, “Being Mary Jane’s,” diversified, sensual and soul massaging soundtrack? Who has to Google every episode because Mara ‘n ‘em spin artists that mainstream radio sleeps on? 

19. Were we surprised that after only 2 years on the air in the DC area, Frank Ski unexpectedly, unceremoniously and immediately dipped when legendary DJ/VJ Donnie Simpson made his return in the same area?

20. Digging the talent, and creativity, or lack thereof on Spike TV’s, “Lip Sync Battle?”