@avclub-fe858281188f10005605ea7b1dd0bf7f:disqus actually Tupac was about as nerdy as they come - a drama major and all-around sensitive guy. (You presumably know this, but it's always worth reminding oneself of how much posturing there always was in gangsta rap.)

Yeah, I guess that's what I figured. Being a black nerd always sounded like it had an extra set of problems associated with it - you're not just socially inept and a failure with girls, but you're supposedly selling out your skin colour because you like Star Trek or whatever (or you're an oreo, boho, etc). And then…

"Sad, but the Tongues got drowned out by equally talented groups who had not as positive an agenda or image in their mass marketing(I am looking at you, Wu)."

Ah - the fact that you're a black dude/dudette gives the context I needed for the comment I replied to above… Yeah, I can see how the audience changing would be sort of mystifying.

Well it's hardly a mark of shame to be slain by Big Pun.

I dunno, Can I Kick It? and I Left My Wallet In El Segundo aren't exactly Malcolm X-ish. The whole aesthetic is saturated with afrocentrism, I guess (although that's far less true of De La Soul than the JB's or ATCQ). But mostly they're kind of eccentric people making music that's very non-threatening. I know that a…

I know, I hate it when those rappers are too militant!

That's a pretty awesome origin story.

Oh come on, Bosch is going to be better than Black and Decker 8 times out of 10, for any type of tool.

Eh, Common's a lot of things, but a fraud isn't one of them. One of the worst actors in the world, but he gets crazy paid, at least two classic-ish albums, and some genuine attempts at innovation that were just a little too early (and not quite good enough) to be a version of Cee-lo or Andre 3000's solo careers.

That's 91 characters, you rebel.

One girl and two cups!

True story: I saw a coyote yesterday.

Also a retard dies.

One of the nicest uses of orchestra in a soul song ever. Schmaltzy lyrics, but you can't go wrong with Hayes channeling Barry White and whoever the hell does that guitar solo.

Her name is Poots! That's comedy!

What is this I don't even

No!

Well come on Lobby, if you're not going to pretend to like him then what are we going to pretend to get mad at you for?

@avclub-29501df08e5d9ae59e432e4f188d3735:disqus Oh I see what you mean. Naw, it's more exactly the opposite - don't spend your time pining over the grass on the other side of the fence, learn to appreciate what you already have. That sort of thing. I see that as incredibly hopeful and optimistic. (But as several…