Six months ago, a Lifetime original movie premiered on their network. Lifetime operates under the umbrella of the A&E Networks. "Can You Feel The Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story" is now making the rounds on other streaming platforms.

Who is Lisa Lisa

I recently watched this "docu-drama" on Amazon Prime Video. Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Full Force is a late 1980s early 1990s R&B - pop hit making ensemble featuring Lisa "Lisa" Velez. The pop nod is important. Their music had strong crossover appeal despite radio airplay barriers.

In the late 1980s, R&B was moving toward hip hop. The 1980s new pop sound capturing general market contemporary radio included Tears for Fears, Simple Minds, The Belle Stars, Bananarama, and other instrumentally sparse groups.

Getting radio airplay is always competitive. Lisa Lisa broke through.

What makes the Lisa Lisa story interesting is her leap from working class Harlem, New York obscurity to global 'top of the charts' rhythmic domination.

Yes, her ensemble had three #1 R&B hit songs.

• Head To Toe - 1987
• Lost In Emotion - 1987
• Let The Beat Hit 'Em - 1991

Their music features a dance driven beat. It's not disco. It's not funk. It's not 80s techno R&B. Lisa's voice makes their sound unique. Especially her ballads.

What's in Their Name

When the public knows you as Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Full Force, there is some identity ambiguity.

Cult Jam is Alex "Spanador" Moseley and Mike Hughes. Lisa Lisa and group was produced by Full Force. Got it?

Some of their tracks say Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam 'featuring Full Force.' Others say 'with Full Force.'

I stopped trying to figure this all out a long time ago, as I always just enjoyed their music. This is why Lisa Lisa was always the focus of group promotion.

The Movie

Officially billed as the fully authorized biopic, (that's bio-pick, not bi-op-ic), "Can You Feel The Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story" tells the story of her and her group's global rise to fame.

This is a dramatic rendering presented as a movie, not as a straight forward documentary. All of the actors are acceptable. Jearnest Corchado as Lisa Velez is the standout. This film after all is the Lisa Lisa story.

You can predict the story line of most movies that attempt to feature the arc of a successful music career. This story has all of the music business stereotypes.

Evil record label owners, drug use, sex starved song producers, bad relationships, performer fights, manipulative contracts - it's all here.

Lisa Lisa's story is notable because she started at 15 years old and had her first #1 hit at 18 years old.

I won't reveal any spoilers here. Lisa Lisa does battle family, friends, foes, and obstacles during her rise to fame. This prodigy's exceptional magnetic voice pulled in millions of worldwide music fans.

The Latina aspect of her demographic origin is a backdrop surrounding how this young lady forged ahead inside of the star making machinery that defines the music biz.

I was in the dark about the full Lisa Lisa story, so I learned much more than I knew. However, some of the simplistic elements of the movie's screenplay cried out for a lot more detail and script development.

"Can You Feel The Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story" features very good music in the spotlight with an excellent sound mix. Lisa Lisa is a solid role model for her time. You will appreciate this story.

On a scale of one to ten, I rate "Can You Feel The Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story" a 6.5.

Bonus: Here's another part of my 2025 video interview on Black Authors Matter TV. I call this 4 minute segment about my Powerhouse Radio book O-J Jive & The Big Break. July 18 update: Here is the complete Kingsley H. Smith Powerhouse Radio interview on our YouTube channel in a playlist with extras.

Will you be in the Philadelphia or Northern New Jersey - New York City area in August or September? Stop by these book fairs. I'll be very happy to sign a copy of my award winning story, Powerhouse Radio: Rough Roads, Radiance, and Rebirth for you.

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