♪ TWENTY QUESTIONS , TO THE BEAT… (PART 1) ♪
(Or Trivial, Yet True, Non-Earth Shattering R & B/Neo-Soul/Hip-Hop Music Queries)

These are semi-rhetorical questions that may or may not have crossed your mind:
1. Will there ever be another Luther Vandross?

2. Don’t Fantasia and Kanye remind us of the relatives we do NOT allow to be the spokesperson when the police show up?

3. Don’t Fantasia and Kanye remind us of the relatives who are the reason that the police show up in the first place?

4. By a show of hands, who thinks the following artists to STOP having children out of wedlock: El DeBarge (12), Flava Flav (12), Erykah Bady (4), Bobby Brown (5), Lauryn Hill (5), Lil Wayne (4) and Sean Combs (5.5)?

5. How many of us love the following groups/artists but know that they are “done” and should call it a day: EnVogue, Tony, Toni, Tone, Dru Hill, Anita Baker and Outkast (the latter as a group, not individual artists)?

6. Aren’t we digging R. Kelly’s comeback, but still would not let him anywhere near our teenage daughter, niece, granddaughter, etc.?

7. Will there ever be another Minnie Ripperton (and no, it’s not Mariah)?

8. How likely is it that Minnie is spinning in her grave over the fact that Kandi of the RHA has deemed herself a singer?

9. Should somebody tell Chrisette Michelle that starting a beef with a rapper who has a criminal record, is bad for your health (especially over bullshit)? Or how many of us think it’s a publicity stunt for her new CD?

10. Should someone tell Charlie Wilson that at his age, he can “fall in love,” but dammit he’s just too old to “have some babies?” (Re: lyrics to “There Goes My Baby”)

11. Aren’t we digging the genius of Prince, still going strong at 50+ years, and humble enough to other brilliant artists at his concert series, but a little disturbed that he still uses the word “funky,” which takes on a whole other meaning at his age?

12. Will we be mortified if at any time during the concert series Prince wears the pants with the hind parts cut out?

13. How many of us won money on how Usher’s marriage would turn out? And who thinks Chili is sitting back, arms folded, saying, “I told his ass…”?

14. How many of us are not mad at Tameka Foster for taking the opportunity to “get hers” and get out?

15. Isn’t Melanie Fiona’s “It Kills Me,” and Jazmine Sullivan, “Bust All Your Windows” the best female heartbreak songs of the year and the cuts to play repeatedly after a breakup?

16. Aren’t we glad El DeBarge got a Second Chance?

17. (Regional NYC question) Will there ever be another Frankie Crocker?

18. Aren’t we digging the recent mainstream popularity of Doug E. Fresh and marveling in “non-hip-hopper’s” fascination with learning how to “Dougie”?

19. Should there be a Classic/Sacred R & B Music Remake/Sample Permission hotline for artists and should calls be blocked from Sean Combs, Mary J. Blige and any artist who has not paid dues?

20. Are we more surprised or more disappointed in T.I. & Tiny?