FAMILY MATTERS
This is the traditional gathering for the holidays (I.e. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other family gatherings)
What is
Mame’s House
This song broke record by remaining #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 19 weeks in 2019. It was infamous for breaking the cultural barriers in country music, appealing to many age groups, especially sally those 5-18. The artist is part of the "Little" rappers name-trend.
BONUS 100 pts: Finish song starting at 0:28
What is
"Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X
This food is served at most of our major family functions (especially on holidays) and a New Orleanean staple. It makes us feel warm and cozy, filled with multiple proteins and of course and full of love. A separate version must be prepared for couple of members of our family due to allergy.
What is
Gumbo (specifically filé)
This is a commonly heard phrase in the young community right now, based off of a song by Skrilla. The opportunity is never missed to say or repeat this phrase that lies between a sequence of single-digit numbers.
Hint: Ilijah is the main culprit!
What is
"6-7"
Name all 7 continents and all 5 oceans of the Earth
What is
North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, Antarctica
Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic, Southern/Antarctic
The last city we travelled to as a family (excluding) New Orleans, Houston, or Miami
What is
Orlando
The 1981 hit is always on a family reunion playlist, especially in its original form, where the star of the group is always fitted in white. It was sampled and remixed by the biggest star of the last 20 years and debuted in the iconic Coachella performance of 2018.
BONUS for 100 pts: Sing the song up to the line naming the song starting at 0:28
What is
"Before I Let Go" by Maze & Frankie Beverly
This pastry is sold in New Orleanean grocery stores as soon as Christmas is over. They can be filled with different flavors such as cream cheese or raspberry. They used to have a little surprise found inside the pastry that determined the next buyer but became a choking hazard, so are now found outside of the pastry.
What is
"King cake"
Moms in this family and many other black families tag this phrase onto the end of sentences when they kids are in trouble and are near ready to hand out in whoppings. Example:
Kid-- "But I didn't even slam the door"
Mom-- "That's okay cause I'm finna slam ___! "
What is
"Yo behind"
Name all 8 of the planets in our galaxy
BONUS for 100 pts: Named in order from closet to the Sun to farthest
BONUS for an extra 100 pts: there last planet considered no longer a planet in 2006
What is
Mercury, Venus , Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
Bonus: What is Pluto
The typical, yet exciting prize placed inside of the golden egg on Easter
What is
Money/Cash
This classic 1970's tune is a staple for black family gatherings that almost requires a soul train line. The musical group's name is inspired by the world's elements, originally based off of a group member's zodiac sign.
*HINT: the song's name is based off of a time of year
BONUS for 100 pts: Sing the song starting from 0:20 up to the chorus
What is
"September" by Earth, Wind, and Fire
This food is a described as a special sandwich on special bread that must be cut to eat. We also cut the first word of the name of this food into 2 letters, in the New Orleanean way.
What is
Po Boy Sandwich
What is
"Ya maw"
Wind speed needed to classify Category 2 Hurricane
BONUS for 100 pts: what direction do hurricanes spin in in the northern vs. southern hemispheres
What is
96 -110 mph
Bonus: What is
Northern spins clockwise, Southern spins counterclockwise
Correctly name the year of birth of all of the children in the family 18 and under
BONUS for 100 pts: Mariah's exact age number (with years and months included)
What is
Laila 2007, Jibrail 2008, Mikhail 2011, Elle 2011, Sarah 2013, Ilijah 2015, Khalil 2019
Bonus: What is
23 years and 7 months
This bop was a 2025 anthem, especially after the Super Bowl that had heavy Los Angeles cultural influence and encouragement of black and white segregation, inspired by Drake's cultural appropriation. The song makes you want to crip walk down the street.
BONUS for 100 pts: Last line of the song
What is
"Not Like Us" by Kendrick Lamar
Bonus: What is
"Then step this way, step that way"
Maw Maw is usually our culture bearer in the kitchen with this dish, and the baby boys of the family can eat multiple servings on end. There are 2 colors of the main ingredient that Maw Maw makes, but one color is much more common as a New Orleanean staple served everywhere from soul food restaurants to soulful grandma's kitchens.
What is
Red Beans and Rice
When a child is apparently whining or crying a bit too much without good reason, a black mother or parent says this phrase as a threat.
What is
"Stop trying before I give you something to cry about"
This person, with over 40 albums and 15 Grammy nominations in their lifetime, is one of the most renown and prominent black musicians of the 20th century, who’s music has been sampled and referenced by numerous artists including Kanye West and Wyclef Jean. Their music has also been soundtracked and referenced in many films and media including Cruella and Last Holiday.
Who is
Nina Simone
Our family's favorite way to challenge someone at a function, especially with a little shakey-shake and a good tune in the background. These events get intense with floor spins, facial expressions, and chest bumps.
What is
Dance Battle
BONUS for 100 pts: Sing the song from the beginning to the first chorus OR from the beginning of the second verse to the second chorus (starting at 1:12)
What is
"This Christmas" by Chris Brown
This dish is served over rice, based with red gravy and sea-creatures commonly found in the Gulf of Mexico, such as shrimp. The second word is derived from the French word for "smothered".
Hint: This is one of Mariah's favorite New Orleanean dishes
What is
"Crawfish Étoufee"
This superstitious event occurs when your feet are swept with a broom
BONUS for 100 pts: Remedy/reversal action
What is
Bad luck/ Jail/ Never marrying/ Death
Bonus: What is
Spit on the broom
Born to an enslaved parent and only achieved the highest of an elementary school education, this Black inventor is known to improve the safety of our everyday lives by adding the "yield" sign to the traffic light. Also known for inventing the gas mask and the sewing machine.
Who is
Garret Morgan