Which R&B singer is/was most important to their group? A family discussion.

Editor’s note: The following article is an op-ed, and the views expressed are the author’s own. Read more opinions on theGrio.

One of my favorite pastimes is perusing social media for arguments nobody asked for that create spirited discussions amongst the homies. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of minding your own business only to be blindsided by a question you didn’t even know you cared about that starts an hours-long text battle — social media really is the gift that keeps on giving. 

Such is the case with a graphic that was sent to me with a question I’d never pondered that immediately forced me into an opinion, defense and rebuttals for any and all takers. According to the information on the graphic, it was created by a social media account called The Derelict Collective; I can’t seem to find this actual slide on Instagram or Facebook, but I did find a very similar one so I’ll just assume that my wife is right when she says I can’t find things that are right in front of my face. To that end, I have no idea when this was created or how many people have already weighed in on this discussion, but let’s move on. This particular graphic asks a very important, unimportant question: Who was most important to their group? 

Here are the options: Dawn Robinson (En Vogue), Teddy Riley (Blackstreet), Ralph Trevant (New Edition), Sisqo (Dru Hill), Beyoncé (Destiny’s Child), Brian or Brandon Casey (Jagged Edge), Left Eye (TLC), Slim (112), Coko (SWV) and Raphael Saadiq (Tony!Toni!Toné!). 

Hmm. There’s a lot to think about here. But let’s lay out a few things….