sense of identity and style and music. >> "out front" now, singer songwriter, grammy award winner smokey robinsonour original series song tracks that define history. smokey it's a pleasure to have you on the show. as we watch that clip, you have spoken about the difficulties of performing in the '60s, things that are hard for some now to imagine, not being able to stay at certain hotels. not being able to use the bathrooms where you were a performer. how does it feel to know that you played a role in the struggle for equal rights in this country? >> it's very satisfying to know that the music had that kind of an impact on the people and on the country really. because the music was bridging gaps that they were trying to legislate they were trying to force people into sbintegrationy many different methods. but the music was doing it. the music gave people of all races a common love. >> and when you talk about the music dynasty, music like "i second that emotion," "tears of a clown" i mean your friend diana ross once said about you, smoky, i'm quoting her, if a great writer is a poet and a great poe

>> smokey robinson, he is like the coolest, nicest guy. i ask him three questions, two of which come from eric, one of which comes from me. i wonder if you can tell which. so i say to him, kendrick lamar just released a socially conscious album. >> eric. >> is hip-hop the new motown? >> i can't answer that. good music is good music no matter where it comes from or p>> then i say do you think if marvin was around today he would have been a wrapper? >> eric. >> we'll reveal the answers at the end. >> no, marvin gay has one of the greatest voices ever in the history of singing. >> lastly i ask, who has had a bigger impact on the world, smokey robinson or smokey the bear? >> you have to ask some foresters that. >> not a horrible question. >> winner winner chicken dinner. thank you, smokey. >> nick and mariah. >> i couldn't be happy to see you two together. >> it's ex-spouses mariah carey and nick cannon out to dinner without the kids. >> without the kids. >> wait, no kids. we got to start over. oh, my god, it's nick and mariah clearly rekindli